Homebrew PCBs

> I have been using "the" toner transfer method for about 2 years and
> produced some very good PCBs.
> Until a week ago!
> I had problems making the toner sticking to the copper.
> 
> After a lot of frustration I tracked the problem to the kind of
> liquid soap I used with Scotchbright pads to clean the copper.
> 
> It turned out that my wife changed the brand of liquid soap to
> one "that is kind to your skin". So it may be - but it leaves an
> invisible (oily?) film on the copper which is virtually undetectable.
> 
> Using my old liquid soap brand cured the problem.


That's a common story, the jewellery people complain about it to.  They
polish metal (including copper) by tumbling, and add a bit dish washing
liquid.

The main one seems to be manufacturers adding anti-bacterial agents (which
are useless anyway) to the mix.

I've found Simple Green works well, I've used it to clean parts before
powdercoating (it's very fussy too), but I've yet to try it for PCBs.  It's
far more pleasant than acetone etc that I was using.

Tony