Re: gEDA-user: Board cleaner recommendations

[Stephen Ecob <silicon.on.inspiration@xxxxxxxxx>]

It's crucial for parts to be quite dry *before* soldering - otherwise
the rapid boiling of trapped moisture can cause components to crack.
*After* soldering, it's much less of an issue.  Many components can be
washed with water and detergent, no problem.  Most resistors, ceramic
caps and tantalum caps should be fine. Wire wound components
(inductors, transformers) may be a problem as there's lots of gaps for
moisture to get in.  Aluminium caps often come in washable and
unwashable versions - it may be worth paying a little more for
washable.
If you do wash with water it's probably a good idea to follow up with
a wash in alcohol - the alcohol displaces the water and then
evaporates better.  Isopropol alcohol is good, methylated spirits is
probably OK.  Finally, a good dry is needed before powering up.
Regarding de-ionised water: it's cheaper than distilled water and not
as pure, you can use distilled water in its place.  Depending on where
you live, tap water may be fine or not fine - the mineral content
varies hugely from location to location.


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