Homebrew PCBs

First time tried to make pcb, used Sharpie Ultra Fine marker and ferric
chloride from Radio Shack.  After 10 minutes in solution, with
agitation, market lines were degrading badly.  Stopped the etching,
applied more marker, and etched for another 8 minutes (roughly).  Still,
the copper areas are pitted, very much degraded - the pen just doesn't
do a good job - the ferric chloride does attack it. 

 

Am I doing something wrong?  My plan is to go over all the traces and
pads with solder to ensure continuity for this prototype, but in the
future.    Do I need a different method or different marker pen?

 

Also - I find that isopropyl alcohol does an ok job of removing the
marker - is this a good choice?

 

Ransom Peek

Fort Collins CO



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