has anyone ever left the pnp on as a soldering mask?

[darron]

hey. a thought just came through my head. has anyone ever tried leaving the pnp on the copper and only brushing back where you are going to solder to use the pnp as sort of mask like in professional circuits? there's a good chance it would melt and stink. it's designed to withstand an iron's heat, but maybe not the heat from a soldering iron. just curious (:

[Auke Haarsma]

I don't do that intentionally, but sometimes I don't bursh it off enough. Then it mixes with the solder, not nice... I don't think it's a good idea

[powerplayj]

I would think the idea of using a mask would be to prevent solder getting on places where there are no traces to prevent solder bridges.  What's the harm in getting solder on existing traces?

[darron]

I would think the idea of using a mask would be to prevent solder getting on places where there are no traces to prevent solder bridges.  What's the harm in getting solder on existing traces?

i've never had a solder masked board, but the one's i've seen also mask the traces up to the components hole or area of surface mount. it looks like it could come in handy to prevent solder going where you don't want it to in really tight areas. also, you wouldn't protect the board from corrosion because there would be no exposed areas because it would be covered in pnp or solder, but from what ponq says it's not a practical idea. i'm glad that my curiosity was satisfied though