How To Remove Solder Flux / Great PCB Cleaning Methods HD

[@chevytruckjerry]

When you said do it about 25 times I first thought you meant brushing and rinsing together 😂😂😂 Then I realized you meant just the swishing around in the container. I love your videos. Great work!!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching the video's and supporting my channel , very much appreciated 👍

[@azmrblack]

In Aerospace boards meant for Space applications especially, Honeywell uses Axarel 2200. Stuff eats flux like it's water and leaves the board beautiful.

[@monsterpatch9074]

could this be used to also clean dirty boards?

[@FourthWayRanch]

isopropanol and windex, they charge the gov 100 bucks a bottle

[@azmrblack]

@@FourthWayRanch That's basically what it smells like - Windex. Weird.

[@grahamnichols1416]

I have a can of Maplin PCB cleaner (it's a throwback to the days when they sold components and tools to the electronic faithful), which actually leaves the PCB in a far worse state than it started out with! It's like a layer of jam. Ewwww ... So this video has helped me a lot. Thanks. 👍

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching the video and commenting , much appreciated . I'm glad you found the video useful , that's great to hear . Thanks again , take care 👍

[@greapsoho]

Hey that first card looks exactly like the cards in the ECU on the trains that i work on!

[@nuxboxen]

Ultrasolve is basically cyclohexane a common solvent, not bad results. But you'd be amazed at what some good ole 1-1-1 Tricholoroethane will do. It's quite a bit harder to source but it's out there. Be amazed.

[@cemc.852]

How about washing the whole board with dish washing detergent and soft brush in a warm water? Will it damage the board or the components ?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment . Definitely not I would say . It's true lots of parts are sealed so may be ok . But others like switches , relays , transformers may not be . Any moisture in them could spell disaster . Some companies do use water but it's deionized water with special chemical agents added . So it's something I would never do and I wouldn't recommend doing the method you've mentioned to anyone . Hope that helps , thanks again 👍

[@magim2039]

can you still 'powered' or 'use' the PCB if there is any flux? will it damage or causing short to the board? thanks!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching the video and commenting . If you get the majority of the flux off you will definitely be ok as far as no shorting 👍

[@KnaufL]

This one is much much better image quality 👍🏻

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment , much appreciated. I listened to what you said before and decided to edit the video on the same device it was filmed on so that I didn't lose the sharpness of picture . Thanks for your advice . In the future all videos should be clearer . I will also try and sharpen up some of my old postings , thanks again 👍

[@rajurahav3794]

What will happen if flux exist in pcb board??is that causes rusting or short circuit in pcb board. Please reply reason...

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment. These cleaning methods will remove all flux but if there was any left behind it doesn't affect the board at all as I only use non corrosive flux . This means it's perfectly safe long term . Hope that helps 👍

[@corey81509]

Great video … i deff enjoyed the better quality of video … hd made it way better

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment, much appreciated. I'm glad you found the video clearer , I sorted out a while back how to film and edit in better detail so I'm glad it's coming across in the videos . Thanks again , take care 👍

[@LouinVB]

For decades I have been using regular 99% isopropyl rubbing alcohol with excellent results. I use cotton bolls, or acid brushes trimmed back to stiffen the bristles, to agitate & remove the dried flux. I found no advantage to using commercial flux removers over this alcohol.

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment . I do use isopropyl to clean first stages of flux off on a daily basis . It is ok . But proper dedicated cleaning fluids like Ultrasolve and Flux off really are on a different level when it comes to cleaning especially when cleaning complete boards . But I understand a hobbyist with one or two parts to clean would probably find Isopropyl ok . Thanks again , take care 👍

[@dcfield21]

When I go to a shop and they ask me if they can be of help I just say Flux off, and usually they reply, GO FLUX YOURSELF!! @@mrsolderfix3996 Keep up the good work, I love your videos!!

[@kerbalette156]

Awesome thank you. What are the cloths?

[@iwantagoodnameplease]

Do you have to worry about ESD when using wipes and brushes?

[@FourthWayRanch]

I think there is some carbon from a mosfet that was pulled off before the solder fully melted. how do we remove that safely?

[@Manche-De-Pelle]

I'm ususing IPA 91% and it always let flux ... ive changed flux, and got the same issue, it just blend the flux and only spread it ... I'll try specific flux remover product

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment, much appreciated. Proper PCB cleaning fluid is a must in my opinion . I use Ultrasolve which really is the best , then after that as a back up I use one called Flux off . These are available from the general electronic distributers although some products they are reluctant to send to private individuals due to health and safety . Hopefully you can get some to resolve your cleaning issues . Good luck 👍

[@SeanPorio]

Looks incredible! Subscribed!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment and for subscribing , much appreciated 👍

[@mrBDeye]

I gave me Boss a can of Flux Off. He then proceeded to walk me out the door and fired me. 😮

[@iahorana]

instead of fluids , is it possible to use 99% isopropyl alcohol ??? ( i m. sorry my english understanding is small)

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment. Lots of people do use isopropanol to clean flux etc off of their PCB's and it is pretty good stuff . The Ultrasolve that i use is in my opinion way , way better , but understandably if people have a budget or just want a tiny amount to clean part of a board then they can definitely use Isopropanol. Hope that helps , thanks again 👍

[@iahorana]

@@mrsolderfix3996 Thanks a lot for your video and answer

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , no problem , all the best 👍

[@romancharak3675]

Thank you for you videos. Do you use 0.25 mm solder wire with a flux core, or solid? And, lead-free or not?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching , much appreciated. The solder wire I use has a 2.2% flux core and is a Nitrosol solder wire . This is lead free , available from BLT Circuits based in England . I also use a leaded version , also with a flux core available in various sizes including 0.25mm from BLT as well . Hope that helps , thanks again 👍

[@romancharak3675]

@@mrsolderfix3996 Lovely, Thank you.

[@geraldustommy7881]

Is there any way to solder an ic with qfn package to a tqfp housing?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi Personally this is something I have never tried but if the QFN is a similar size to the TQFP housing it may be possible to sit it on top of the pins and solder each one , but like I said I've never tried it . Be interesting if it does work or if anyone else has tried it . Good luck 👍

[@garrym11]

Wow the quality is great! Good work 👍

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment , much appreciated. I've only just worked out how to edit properly , I used to export the videos to another device via what's app to get edited so lost that sharpness of picture. I will clear up some of my old postings if I can sometime . All future postings should be really clear now 🤞thanks again 👍

[@voeurnsear4925]

Please recommend the name of flux free fuid

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , the 2 fluids in the video are called ULTRASOLVE , my favourite one and the other one is called FLUX OFF . Hopefully that's the information you required . Thanks again for your comment 👍

[@Turco949]

Your thoughts and experience (if any) with using ultrasonic cleaner?

[@willievivanco1]

Nice tips as always mr tk

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you , these are 2 great fluids if you can get hold of some . Good luck and thanks again 👍

[@nsfanz2610]

Hi sorry I'm kinda new on this thing may I know what kind of brush you using and what kinda of fluid you using? What kind of alcohol fluid did you you use to wash that flux

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi . The brush I use is a soft bristle brush ( not to cheap ) so the hairs don't fall out . Very safe for cleaning PCB's . Don't use a hard bristle brush , I've seen some damage to boards when these have been used. All the other info , fluids etc is in the video 👍

[@nsfanz2610]

@@mrsolderfix3996 noted tq bro

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , no problems , good luck with all your soldering 👍

[@nsfanz2610]

@@mrsolderfix3996thank you bro, it would be very great if you can make video how to use multimeter on board

[@petersmith5199]

Are you making boards for the MOD? !! This is a top dollar finish!!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi . I've made boards for so many people over the years , and I've always cared about how they looked , so I found a way of getting them perfectly clean and have used this way ever since . I tweak it here and there as sometimes certain parts have to be cleaned in a different way , but there is always a way. My attitudes always been to get the basics perfect then you will be able to progress on to harder and harder projects and eventually crack them . Thanks again for watching the videos , people like you make all this worthwhile 👍

[@petersmith5199]

@@mrsolderfix3996 No, it's people like you that make it worthwhile!!

[@m97120]

Wow, I would have never thought that PCBs can be submerged. Are all the little components waterproof?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment. PCB's generally get washed in the commercial world in large cleaning tanks with different cleaning programs and drying stages built in . It's a perfectly safe option if done with the correct methods . Cleaning as a hobbyist is 100% safe If the right fluids are used , in my case I have used 2 recommended PCB cleaning fluids so no problems will occur. Hope that helps , thanks again 👍

[@m97120]

@@mrsolderfix3996 Thank you!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , no problem 👍

[@treycalabasas9742]

U can submerge them in Isopropyl and distilled water believe or not (regular water shorts and oxidizes components due to the minerals)

[@Hhtfvhrcbgrejkkjhffvbhb]

64 pin smd ic on coating how removed?? For cleaner spray available?

[@iTiroxide]

Thanks for the great video. Im located in Canada and Im having trouble finding access to the 2 items you used in the first method. Do you know of any equivalent products to the GTEX wipes or the Ultrasolve?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment , much appreciated. I'm sorry I don't know of any equivalent replacement's that are available in Canada. People would generally order there PCB cleaning solutions and PCB wipes from Mouser or Digikey when ordering in America so maybe they could help you out. Hopefully you find some suitable products . Good luck with your search and thank you again for your kind words 👍

[@iTiroxide]

@@mrsolderfix3996 thank you very much those places have lots of options!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , no problem. Good luck 👍

[@bennyworku896]

How do you remove the plastic/glue thing to be able to read eeprom without removing it?

[@voeurnsear4925]

Amazing job! I love it so much!

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your support , much appreciated. I will be posting more new videos in the near future , thanks again 👍

[@Epictronics1]

Great video, thanks. Could you share links to the products you use?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi. I don't ever do links in my videos , just my personal choice not to . But I can tell you what you need to know from this video If in UK or Europe go to a company called Farnell and all the below are available from there . I have no association with Farnell , but I just use them personally and trust them . Flux Off Cleaning fluid code is ( 860414 ) Ultrasolve cleaning fluid 1litre container code ( 298219 ) SMFL200D Flux code ( 298311 ) Cleaning wipes I get from Grove Sales , they are called Gtek dry wipes ( pack of 100 ) , about £5 a pack , best wipes I've ever found , seriously good when used as I show in the video. Hope that helps , thank you for watching👍

[@Epictronics1]

@@mrsolderfix3996 Thanks :)

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , no problem , all the best 👍

[@g3force782]

Can I use contact cleaner to remove flux from SMD components?

[@amg5656]

No, they are totally different formulations

[@jamesde7775]

does ultrasolve remove water soluble fluxs?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment . Yes ULTRASOLVE would be effective on water soluble fluxes . I've used it on all kinds and always get great results . Thanks again , take care 👍

[@Popart-xh2fd]

Can you use WD-40?

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , I wouldn't know as I've never used it for this purpose , but personally I wouldn't want it all over my PCB's as I'm sure it would leave them sticky and so dust etc would be attracted to the board potentially risking connectors etc to not work properly . Just my opinion . Thanks for your comment 👍

[@rockradio928]

No, no, no never. Will just leave board mucky and attract dirt.

[@brianwood5220]

25 times will take up a lot of your time, and if your a business, you couldn't possibly invest so much time into cleaning. Would a Ultrasonic Cleaner and a small toaster oven not be cheaper to invest in? Thanks for sharing.

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , it actually takes a few minutes to clean a total board as I've shown in the video . I use large cleaning tanks on a daily basis to clean PCB's and the program we use takes 2 hours . So if you are only doing a small batch hand cleaning is no longer in time . I also aim most of my videos at the hobbyist so I dont really think they want to spend hundreds of pounds or dollars on certain pieces of equipment. I have worked in a few small PCB companies and some of them still hand clean , the results can be amazing also once your practiced in it. Thank you for all your comments, much appreciated 👍

[@brianwood5220]

@@mrsolderfix3996 Hi, I hope you don't feel I was trying to criticise i'm just putting across a different point of view. Thanks for the reply.

[@mrsolderfix3996]

No problem . I'm glad you raised another option . Some people might choose this route , the more options we all have the better , we can all improve and learn more then . Thank you for all of your support of my channel , very kind of you 👍

[@modboy9767]

Thanks for sharing. Hope to get my C64 and Beeb fixed up like new. Had to upgrade the Beeb with a coprocessor and videoNULA. Probably need a new Vic2 for the Commodore. Then I'll write my own software to network the two systems and write some old school computer games that are multiplatform :)

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching the video and commenting , very much appreciated. You sound a lot more technically gifted than me I really hope you get all your projects working successfully. If I can help anyone with the soldering side etc then I'm happy . Good luck and thanks again 👍

[@MarkedOnez]

The problem with cleaning flux is the pins. Requires more and more alcohol to clean just the littlest stain in between the grooves. So annoying.

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment . A nice fine brush , good cleaning fluid ( ULTRASOLVE or Flux off ) are both great , not IPA , and a good fine cloth and the secret is the hairdryer . Bit of effort , amazing clean boards . Thanks again 👍

[@renecastanos949]

amazing tips! really amazing! i really appreciate the knowledge and skill you are sharing! keep it up!😄

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you. Glad to share what I can, hopefully it can help a few people out with their soldering issues. Thanks again for your support, take care 👍

[@alo1236546]

I use water pressure machine with hot

[@lww3988]

Thanks! ♥♥♥

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for watching the video , much appreciated 👍

[@Bharatha231]

Super🌹🙏

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your comment , much appreciated . Glad you enjoyed the video 👍

[@CARLITOTESTIGO]

benzine + pressurized air

[@Sysshad]

You said don't get cleaning fluid in some components, but minutes after you dip the entire board in cleaning solution? Ehh

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , I think you've misunderstood . There is nothing on this board that cannot be totally dipped , but other boards may have adjustable trimmers , switches etc that you can't dip , that is what I was saying . Hope that clears this up .

[@roseelectronics4582]

First

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your support , much appreciated 👍

[@Sysshad]

Always use gloves! Or you'll end up with terrible dry and damaged skin

[@roseelectronics4582]

First

[@mrsolderfix3996]

Hi , thank you for your support , much appreciated