Homebrew PCBs

On Tue, Sep 8, 2009 at 1:35 AM, Piers Goodhew<piers@...> wrote:
> With all this talk of "proper" solder masks, I thought I'd ask about
> some more rough-and-ready options.
>
> I've just successfully replaced the guts of my bike's tail light (with
> a PIC 12F6x and a lot of 0603 LEDs). Although it's sealed into a
> watertight box, I'm going to need to seal the copper against long term
> corrosion. It's a nice small board so I'm thinking of either painting
> it with urethane (e.g. varnish) or I thought it might be more durable
> but viable (given the smallness) to just paint it w/- araldite - a
> crude but effective "2-pack epoxy". That would write off a paintbrush,
> but be pretty tough.
>
> The reason for painting is to avoid the LEDs, or I'd just dip it.
>
> Anyone tried it? Am I crazy? etc?
>
> PG

Both will work.
(As in I have tried both, but only thin potting araldite not the thick glue).

There are also lotsa different spray cans with all sorts of conformal
coatings on the market.

I would avoid the LEDs.
Personally, If it was in a box, I'd either spray paint it with
sililicone conformal coating or dip it in a can of acrylic laquer. No
need to make it extra tough if it's in a box, unless you want to ride
that bike around the world. You'd never get through the araldite for
repairs or anything.

ST