washing solder flux off slf build PCBs boards

[numpty]

IS this necessary as I understand the flux in solder designed for electronics is no corrosive, or is this not the case. I have never bothered with cleaning any of my builds, however some of the boards from GGG don't have solder masks and neither have the ones i have made. I'm worried about damaging the componets eg trimmers electrolytic caps etc if i go ahead and clean them with flux solvent. Whats the advice one this one please?

[BDuguay]

Use Isopropyl Alcohol. It won't damage components. Just be careful when cleaning around trimpots or board mounted pots.
B.

[Skreddy]

Definitely keep flux cleaner away from pots.  The spray kind at Jameco.com is good.

I recommend cleaning the flux off of all your builds, as it can become a problem years later (may absorb moisture, will attract dust, etc.).

If you make your own boards, I also recommend a fine coat of clear over your copper after cleaning to prevent oxidation.  If you have boards made, the solder mask they put on does this for you.

[SonicVI]

MG Chemicals liquid tin is great too. It's a bit expensive, but it's not a hassle if you have to fix or mod something later and have sprayed lacquer all over the board.

[numpty]

thanks to all of you for the helpful advice, i will have a look around for those products, better to be safe than sorry, having said that, the electronic engineers where i work, have told me that in all there years of work, they have never had a problem will flux causing damage or the need to laquer boards.

[Ronsonic]

Engineers have more faith in advertised specifications than do technicians. When a flux says "no-clean" they believe it. Us guys who have to make their crap work have no such confidence and take pride in our craftsmanship and who wants browned flux bestaining their work.

I just use a bit of acetone on a cheap acid brush with the bristles cut down to scrub that crap off.

I occasionally dabble in what some others here think of as voodoo and mojo, but I will swear in a court of law that in electro-musical gear dirt sounds like dirt and you don't want it. Even if you want a dirt sound, better to not get it from something as variable and unpredictable as leaving crud on your circuit boards.

Ron

[bighead]

After populating a board, and knowing that it works. Would it be ok to dip the bottom of the board in plasti dip? After doing this I know there would be no way to switch parts but it seems like it would protect the board, and keep anyone from tracing your secret pedal (if you're worried about that sort of thing).

http://www.plastidip.com/

[axg20202]

...maybe...but you may as well just spray some rattle can lacquer on it or use a rattle can colour if you want to obscure the traces.