Can we clean a corroded PCB using FLUX?

Want to know if you can clean a badly corroded PCB using flux? So did I. And there's only one way to find out...
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Thank you
Richard

[@robertwebb5586]

Richard I dissolve that rosin flux in IPA overnight to make liquid flux and it works great

[@tiggydorset9041]

I done the same.and have it in a vape liquid bottle. It's great stuff, best flux I've used!

[@shagreobe]

You dissolve it in beer? 🤣😄

[@ricardoferreira2811]

Ultrasonic cleaner machine. For 100€ get a Vevor.

[@gordthor5351]

Flux is only corrosive at very high temperature, so I think you need to get it much hotter for the flux to do it's thing. Basically solder melting temp.

[@Dutch-linux]

Richard I think de-oxit or contact cleaner does a better job try that out

[@f1remandg]

Perhaps Rosin and a stiffer brush would be better, also those non scratch scouring pads cut into small pieces and either glued or just used with those wooden sticks that they use in burgers they have a head that could be sawn across to give a flat surface to push down on, I’ve used them on connections with iso that seems to nullify rust, battery terminals in flash units etc.

[@johnnyjimenezarriaga5352]

Greetings brother, you repair blackmagiec devices whose HDMI/SDI outputs do not work correctly. I have an ATEM STUDIO HD and the multiviewer output is not functional, comments saying that it is the CPU or voltage so that the cameras can be seen in the multiviewer. Anything I can send you repair examples

[@rickkcir9959]

I like the common horsehair acid brushes for cleaning boards and just about everything. I create a crimped sleeve to secure the bristles better and cut them shorter to suit. Always re-crimp or otherwise secure the bristle end. It can also be grounded by it's metal handle for ESD.

[@dang48]

That's really wild. Definitely a huge improvement on the boards.

[@Roman00744]

I linked the brushes before on your Discord but will link again tomorrow if some1 doesn't before me.

[@Manticore1960]

Another vote for a half inch (12mm) paint brush with bristles cut down to 20mm. You don't need a dedicated brush.

[@robertwebb5586]

Richard also dip a cotton swab or flux brush in vinegar and lightly scrub the erosion.

[@macwake]

It should be stated in the flux's data sheet which temp it needs to activate. For "real" NC-559, it's around 140°C, and I don't think you reached that temp. If you would, the flux should have bubbled at least a bit. You could have used your cheap preheater, that way also chances are low to melt the plastic connectors.

[@RK-kn1ud]

Ive used grocery store white vinegar to remove rust (soaking for a period of time). I'm wondering what a mild acid like vinegar woud do. I imagine that it might also eat any platings.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Well it eats pins in AGP slots for sure - as proven on a previous video 🤣

[@andrewspode]

I need to find that video. I've had fairly good luck just letting it soak in vinegar for a short amount of time and then cleaning with IPA.

[@debochch]

I've worked at electronic factories. I found the best flux to use is the alcohol based flux used on wave soldering machines. (sprayed onto the bottom of PCB assemblys before plated through parts are soldered on). The flux is a heat activate acid that evaporates after use. Great when using hot air on smd parts because it leaves no residue.

[@LarixusSnydes]

What is the toxicity like of that flux? Can it be filtered using the normal carbon fan filters?

[@silenthill4]

Just use an ultrasonic

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

I don't have one but did user one back in the 90s when doing this sort of work professionally . IMHO it didn't work very well. Maybe they improved since then?

[@kkrolik2106]

@@LearnElectronicsRepair For corrosion removal need add some chemicals to water by itself only good to remove flux leftovers.

[@RK-kn1ud]

​@@LearnElectronicsRepairSome ultrasonics will work better than others, that's for sure. Louis Rossmann has an OLD video describing his experience between brands. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what he uses today after his more recent issues with his supplier.

[@silenthill4]

@@LearnElectronicsRepair they work amazing. I've brought water damaged devices back to life with just a 10 minute session at 50C Water damage and fine cleaning are the use cases. But I use them for general cleaning as well

[@d614gakadoug9]

You must be very careful using an ultrasonic cleaner for electronics. Some components can be damaged by ultrasonic energy. Any component with bonding wires not entirely secured by encapsulent are at risk. Such components aren't as common now as they used to be since almost all semiconductors are in plastic packages. A notable exception is MEMS devices which I would expect to die in very short order in an ultrasonic cleaner unless the manufacturer says otherwise. An ultrasonic cleaner isn't going to do much to remove corrosion unless the bath is chemically effective against whatever the corrosion products are.

[@tommorgan7043]

Almost a Louis Rossman amount of flux nice.

[@salmon85]

0.1 of a rossmann

[@KeritechElectronics]

Half a Rossmann of that Amtech jobbie and we're done. Looks nice and shiny - like brand spanking new! Oh, and I use old toothbrushes for cleaning. Reduce, reuse, recycle :)

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

Heya, it surely clears the corrosion of the board. I think because of the corrosion that bad 1 maybe fault do to shorting 2 or more pins

[@ifixio]

hello everyone .. how we can do nvidia mods test on laptop specialy on old laptop like using nvidia 940mx ...

[@acalat]

What tools needed to start GPU graphics cards Repair business

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Multimeter Needle probes Soldering Iron (T12 or better) Leaded Solder 60/40 or 63/47 0.6mm and 0.2mm Liquid Flux NC-559-ASM Good quality Desolder Braid Fine point Tweezers Isopropyl Alcohol Kapton Tape Various screwdrivers, Flush wire cutters, soldering aid tools etc Hot Air (something like Quick 861DW or better) Preheater (hot air or IR) Temperature meter / Thermocouple Microscope, unless your eyesight is very good A cheap Oscilloscope can be useful, a basic hand held model is fine A thermal imaging camera is invaluable if you can afford it - can recommend Infiray T2S+ or P2 Pro A whole lot of Luck That should get you going...

[@acalat]

@@LearnElectronicsRepair t Thanks 🙏

[@d614gakadoug9]

Water soluble flux would likely perform better than any other electronic flux but it is absolutely essentially that it be completely washed off within a few hours. It is both corrosive and conductive. Proper cleaning, especially with SM parts, can be difficult and requires a strong spray of warm water. The flux rinses off of exposed surfaces very easily. The hard part is getting contaminated water held by surface tension under SM parts flushed out. Of course not all boards are candidates for immersion cleaning.

[@methodinsane]

I thoroughly enjoying your videos, thanks very much. I'm curious what type of equipment you use, like your heat gun or microscope? Thanks.

[@deterdamel7380]

Flux is only reactive at higher temperature. That's why no clean flux can be leave behind on the PCB.

[@Matsuiiiiii]

Hi Richard, in amplifiers often low-value ceramic resistors are being used. They can get extremely hot. It seems a bit of a waste to dissipate that much energy, or is this technique from the past? Would be interesting if you could eleborate on this topic sometime.

[@GlishaSo]

flux + air machine amazing work ! yeah and that brush is i think too soft for this job.

[@weerobot]

Graphics Card Been Through The Wars..UltraSonic??

[@laptopDoctorKZN]

Tooth brush workes very well. Soft medium hard.

[@michaelbruton3537]

Well said that man the facts should be checked before going to print

[@CukiErti]

18:42 very satisfying corrosion detaching

[@dustincole7067]

If it can be done you could do it!

[@giuseppemangeruca6898]

Thank you Richard 👍

[@RafalScrapper]

👍

[@Dutch-linux]

Hello Richard

[@pacmandrugs]

Clr and a toothbrush was very good for cleaning consoles. Sprayed with the hose and dried with a blower, saved plenty of Xbox ones.