Homebrew PCBs

Chris,

I presume you are using a laminator (if not- that is a different 
subject :)))  I am not in favor of pre-etching because it adds 
another wet-dirt operation. What I do is this:
1. Use paper from Staples, stock number is in the database. That ia 
an inkjet paper that I use in my laser printer I got used for $20, 
rather unimpressive (small) Lexmark Optra. I have add that before I 
was trying all kinds of paper and the results were all over the map. 
In fact I have a collection of all kinds of papers and nothing worked 
well FOR ME. I hear that lots of guys are happy with Menstruation 
Press Paper (Bridal Magazine for You, Baking Laminated Cookies, Heavy 
Duty Knitting, etc)- I have't tested that option yet.

2. GBC laminaotor, converted according to a dissertation at 
www.pulsar.gs Great result but I hope never to do it again.

3. kitchen 3M cleaning pad, non metallic.

4. I don't do heavy cleaning in fact I do very little cleaning, clean 
with detergent, clean with the pad, again detergent and dry it out. I 
takes maybe 2 minutes to get it including drying... 

5. Stick the paper onto the PCB roll dozen or so times thru a magic 
Printed Circuit Board Producing Device (PCBPD) and off to a bathtub. 
Few minutes and it's 100% proof. 

Now, I recall having problems that you described when I used steam 
iron (no steam), large PCBs, thin tracks and chancy paper. No amount 
of cleaning would help and I even used a palm sander with all kinds 
of different sand papers. What helped me is using a laminator and the 
correct (for me :))) paper. Mike