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RA flux needs to be cleaned off, yeah? What should I use to clean the residue?

Acetone/q-tip should work

Isopropyl alcohol is what I use. The pure kind, not the 70% rubbing alcohol stuff.

The method I've found works well is to scrub it with the alcohol and a toothbrush to loosen it up, then do it again with a paper towel between the board and toothbrush. Gets it totally clean, literally every time.

Depending on the exact flux, you might not need to remove it unless you're having trouble measuring stuff.

I've use denatured alcohol before, and it worked fine too. But it apparently attacks plastics more. I never had a problem, but it's not worth the risk, I guess!

McSpunckle wrote:Isopropyl alcohol is what I use. The pure kind, not the 70% rubbing alcohol stuff.

The method I've found works well is to scrub it with the alcohol and a toothbrush to loosen it up, then do it again with a paper towel between the board and toothbrush. Gets it totally clean, literally every time.

Depending on the exact flux, you might not need to remove it unless you're having trouble measuring stuff.

I've use denatured alcohol before, and it worked fine too. But it apparently attacks plastics more. I never had a problem, but it's not worth the risk, I guess!

Are you talking about removing flux residue after soldering? I'm talking about using flux to prep a board for soldering. When I've etched boards, I often have a hard time with wetting. And I'm asking about RA just 'cuz I happen to have a bottle of it.

I appreciate both of yours' insight, though.

Ohhh. Alright. Sorry!

Bare copper is harder to solder to. They make a product called "liquid tin" that you can use to improve soldering. It's just another step in making the boards, and just requires soaking.

But, more flux would help too. You don't clean it off before soldering. You put it on, solder, then clean off the residues if you want.

McSpunckle wrote:But, more flux would help too. You don't clean it off before soldering. You put it on, solder, then clean off the residues if you want.

McSpunckle wrote:Gets it totally clean, literally every time.

Literally every time. Thanks, man. Works great! Also, anyone curious, applying flux to an etched board makes soldering waaaaaayyy easier.

Also, even if you're not doing etched boards, a little bottle of flux is super handy. If you've got a wire that just won't stay in the lug of a pot or switch just tin the wire, tin the lug, put a drop of flux on the wire, and stick 'em together. You can do it without the flux, but the joint is almost always better with it.

Flux pens are also super handy (in fact, one might be great for the etched boards).

Flux, flux, the magical fruit. The more you eat the quicker you die. Don't eat flux. It's bad for you.

I've been using no clean flux lately. It seriously rocks and gets that shit sizzlin'. Flux pen sounds great for etched boards though.