1 Feb
2006
1 Feb
'06
7:42 a.m.
On 2/1/2006 at 9:34 AM Tim Shoppa wrote:
But is there some magic chemical or mechanical means
that will render
the existing cruddy PC board solderable so I can replace these flaky
sockets?
If you can't get solder to adhere to a copper trace using a rosin flux,
there aren't many reasons--the copper isn't getting clean enough or your
iron isn't tinned well.
After you get the big hunks of crud removed, I'd start with a couple drops
of a mild soap in some distilled water and a toothbrush, then graduate to
wood alcohol (methanol). The methanol will help to dry things out as it
evaporates.
For the really tough spots, don't overlook using a slightly-abrasive (pink)
pencil eraser to clean up. If that got nowhere, I'd be tempted to try a
copper-bristle brush on a dremel tool with a very light touch to knock the
crud off.
To repair broken traces, there are pens available that dispense a
conductive silver coating.
Cheers,
Chuck