Phase 45 build report with pics!

[remmelt]

http://www.remmelt.com/electro/#phase45

First time that I've etched, turned out really well. Is there anything I should do after I'm done to preserve the board or can I just leave the copper traces out the the elements? Thanks Tonepad for all the great resources!

[bancika]

You should protect it. There are some nice sprays you can apply even before soldering. I use GF's pink nail polish The point is to prevent oxidation.

[Jaicen_solo]

I used to be quite worried about my traces oxidising, particularly when they were nice and shiney
However, as time progresses, I worry less and less about it. To be perfectly honest, unless something corrosive gets into the pedal (ie, beer, coke etc), the caps are gonna go way before the traces are even significantly corroded by airborne moisture.
I'm sure R.G and Mark will be able to tell us one way or another, but i'd say don't worry about it.

[Connoisseur of Distortion]

Liquid tin! yeah!

i have a VERY useful photo development tray (white plastic thing) that has a spout on one end so it pours well. Just place some liquid tin in it, put the board in, leave the thing outside for about 5 minutes, pull out board and rinse, pour tin back into plastic bottle and rinse tray.

boards are a dream to solder to.

[Connoisseur of Distortion]

I used to be quite worried about my traces oxidising, particularly when they were nice and shiney
However, as time progresses, I worry less and less about it. To be perfectly honest, unless something corrosive gets into the pedal (ie, beer, coke etc), the caps are gonna go way before the traces are even significantly corroded by airborne moisture.
I'm sure R.G and Mark will be able to tell us one way or another, but i'd say don't worry about it.

i actually found green patches on one of my older boards about a month back. that's why i got set for tinning 

[Jaicen_solo]

I've heard of using liquid tin, but there've been mixed reports.
Doesn't it contain Lead Nitrate though??

While green patches are certainly not pretty, it's not exactly corroding away is it. Think about the shit your copper plumbing takes year after year, and just keeps going! Of course that's a bad example, but i'm just saying it's not that big a deal.

[Toney]

Most decent electr shops sell solderable-through PCB laquer in a tin or spray.
Its the way to go...

[Mark Hammer]

If you're satisfied with the state of the circuit and know you will remain so, then who the hell cares if the portions between the solder joints get whupped with an ugly stick.

In my own case, though, and for some other folks too, the idea of NOT being able to make post hoc mods and solder anything anywhere on the copper side is simply too painful to bear, so tinning of any kind which can preserve the solderability of the board is desirable.

Of course, like I say, there is absolutely nothing wrong with etching the board, populating it, soldering only the pads, and loving it as is for as long as you own it.