[Elecraft] Cleaning Boards NOT

[Stuart Rohre]

If you have ACETONE, DON'T.  It will dissolve and destroy just as someone
said.

If you have 99 per cent pure alcohol, DON'T for ordinary soldering with
small diameter solders, and no added flux.

If you have any over the counter drug store alcohol sold for rubbing, etc.
or colored,
DON'T.  Denaturing of alcohols to prevent their use for drinking brings in
impurities.
Most alcohols leave a residue of whiteish material when evaporation is
complete.

I don't know why hams keep thinking they need to clean boards.  Use of small
core solders with proper low residue flux, like Multicore Solder brand, will
relieve you of any flux residues when the joint is properly done.  If all
you have is some old plumbing solder, or large core stuff from the tube
days, put it away and get some decent electronic solder for modern small
components.  The gauge used to build the K2 can be no. 20 or so.  Anything
larger will probably spread too much solder beyond the pad.

Maybe the use of too large a gauge of solder is what leads to sloppy
soldering needing cleanup?

Stuart K5KVH