[Elecraft] Deflux?

[John, KI6WX]

Many alcohol products are not pure alcohol and may contain additives.  These
additives will leave a residue on the board and may cause circuit failures
at some point in the future.  For instance, the isopropyl alcohol you buy in
the drugstore is generally only 70% pure.  If your alcohol container isn't
labeled as to its purity, it probably contains additives and shouldn't be
used to clean electronic circuit boards.

The best alcohol to use to clean the flux off a circuit board is Anhydrous
Isopropyl Alcohol which should be labeled as 99.9% pure.  This type of
alcohol will not leave any residue from the alcohol and easily dissolves
flux.  I would be very cautious about other cleaning products for the
boards; you will probably be better off not cleaning them rather than using
the wrong cleaner, which is why Elecraft recommends not cleaning your
circuit boards.

-John
 KI6WX

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Brown" <DolfinDon@msn.com>

I usually clean my boards with denatured alcohol. This will clean the board
but will sometimes deposit a white residue. I have found by adding a squirt
of WD-40 to the alcohol prevents this and makes it clean better.  I use a 1
inch paint brush with the bristles cut to about 3/4 inch long to scrub the
board. Then blow the board off with an air gun or hair dryer. I have been
using this technique for many years and it works very well.