Some people seem worried about cleaning dirty PCBs as they think they may damage them. So I thought I'd post how I've cleaned them for a lot of years without any issues. This post doesn't include removing flux etc. after repairs, it's just for getting rid of muck. Others just put boards in the dishwasher...
Notes - you may want to remove socketed EPROMs and mask off any stickers on the board (as the cleaning process can damage paper labels). You also may want to remove socketed chips to speed up drying (I usually only remove expensive chips like SC-01, the board below has a multigame so there are no socketed EPROMs)
So a fairly simple process:-
1 - add washing-up liquid and water and use a toothbrush to clean one side, then rinse under the tap
2 - do the same for the other side
3 - put board upright in the sun (if there is any) or just outside for a couple of hours to drain all the excess water off.
4 - if it isn't sunny or if it's cold move the board inside to the warmest place and leave for a few hours (definitely doesn't need more than a day)
5 - check to make sure it is dry, replace any chips you removed and power up
Here are photos of a Missile Command board I cleaned at the weekend, took a couple of hours in the sun then an hour in the warm network cupboard before powering up.
Notes - you may want to remove socketed EPROMs and mask off any stickers on the board (as the cleaning process can damage paper labels). You also may want to remove socketed chips to speed up drying (I usually only remove expensive chips like SC-01, the board below has a multigame so there are no socketed EPROMs)
So a fairly simple process:-
1 - add washing-up liquid and water and use a toothbrush to clean one side, then rinse under the tap
2 - do the same for the other side
3 - put board upright in the sun (if there is any) or just outside for a couple of hours to drain all the excess water off.
4 - if it isn't sunny or if it's cold move the board inside to the warmest place and leave for a few hours (definitely doesn't need more than a day)
5 - check to make sure it is dry, replace any chips you removed and power up
Here are photos of a Missile Command board I cleaned at the weekend, took a couple of hours in the sun then an hour in the warm network cupboard before powering up.
