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Anybody have any recommendations for flux remover. I see MG Chemcials makes a number of products in this category. Any suggestions for the DIY hobbyist.?
Why do you need to remove the flux? Many years ago I saw an H-P field service bulletin (Yes, in the days of real H-P field service.) that said unless a repaired PCB could be cleaned completely (as in the factory process) the flux on repaired solder connections should be left in place. Attempts to dissolve and remove the flux would more likely spread contamination around and under other components.
Bryan it's impossible to answer your question unless you tell us what kind of flux you're trying to remove, although KMoffett does bring up a good point, something like the rosin core flux of typical solders doesn't need to be removed. Some acidic fluxes need to be cleaned but that's typically done with water or a mild solvent like alcohol, depends on the specific flux in question.
I'll assume you're using rosin flux like most of us most of the time. Just use a mixture of 50% denatured ethanol, 40% isopropyl alcohol and 10% acetone. You can get the ethanol and acetone at any home improvement or paint store and 99% isopropyl alcohol at some drug stores. You have to look around to see who has the good stuff. The last time I found it was at Safeway. As with all flux removers that contain acetone, this is not safe on styrene, ABS or polycarbonate. If you have questionable plastics attached to the PCB, just use the alcohol mixture alone.
I remove flux to prevent atmospheric moisture from having a wicking material, to improve inspectability and because it's a sign of good workmanship. The O.P. may have his own reasons to deflux which I will consider sufficient without knowing them. He asked for flux remover suggestions so I gave them.
In industry, IPC J-STD-001E requires removal of any visible residue from R, RA or RMA fluxes.
I have tried all the over-the-counter flux removal remedies discussed above plus some others and wasn't happy with the results from any of them. I finally broke down and bought a spray can of Techspray Flux Remover. What a huge difference. Even though it's more expensive than the over-the-counter chemicals, it is so superior that it's not even funny.
Most of the really good flux removers used to have chlorinated and fluorinated solvents that were many times more effective than the new ones. Environmental and health regulations have forced or are forcing the manufacturers to reformulate them into weak and pitiful products.
I dont always remove the rosin core flux, but when i do i use Dos Equis
Ok seriously now, when i do have to remove it i use 70 percent isoprop alcohol and it works fine. Sometimes the board needs a protective spray coating afterwords. Long time ago i used something else more recommended, but cant remember the name now, oh yeah, carbon tetrachloride. We used one of those little bottles with the spring top where you push down on it with the brush and it dispenses liquid right into the brush tip.
Thanks all..I always thought it was necessary and good practise to remove flux after soldering. I am referring to the rosin core. Just started applying a coliform coating to my boards so thought it would be good practise to remove the flux first.
Have used Isopropyl alchohol before and seems to work. Think i will try the "recipe" by K6JEAD.
Only if you huff it KJ6EAD. As with any industrial chemicals proper use and precautions are key to safe use. Regardless of how 'nasty' it is, it still works incredibly well for what it does.
I believe carbon tetrachloride was used as a component of R-11 refrigerant. Supposedly extremely toxic to the liver or the kidneys, can't remember which.
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