Homebrew PCBs

I found an interesting discussion on cleaning with IPA and acetone:

http://www.eng-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/pid/31/qid/85540

The last post says that: "IPA will still leave a residue" and that is 
what I had in mind. How much of that film affects out TT methods is 
another story but the fact is that it leaves film ie 'smears'. 
Like I said, I clean only with the abrasive pad (was it 3M?) and 
detergent. 

Is there something stronger than acetone to remove laminated toner? 
This is because the laminator embeds the toner like an enamel.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "mikezcnc" <eemikez@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 4:55 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] IPA and acetone


> I found an interesting discussion on cleaning with IPA and acetone:
>
> http://www.eng-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/pid/31/qid/85540
>
> The last post says that: "IPA will still leave a residue" and that is
> what I had in mind. How much of that film affects out TT methods is
> another story but the fact is that it leaves film ie 'smears'.
> Like I said, I clean only with the abrasive pad (was it 3M?) and
> detergent.
>
> Is there something stronger than acetone to remove laminated toner?
> This is because the laminator embeds the toner like an enamel.

Cellulose thinners (xylene) works very well, whenever I use TT. It's less
volatile, which helps.

Leon

On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 15:55:51 -0000, mikezcnc <eemikez@...> wrote:

> I found an interesting discussion on cleaning with IPA and acetone:
>
> http://www.eng-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/pid/31/qid/85540
>
> The last post says that: "IPA will still leave a residue" and that is
> what I had in mind. How much of that film affects out TT methods is
> another story but the fact is that it leaves film ie 'smears'.
> Like I said, I clean only with the abrasive pad (was it 3M?) and
> detergent.
>
> Is there something stronger than acetone to remove laminated toner?
> This is because the laminator embeds the toner like an enamel.
>
> Mike
>
>

As far as i know there is nothing to remove the toner completely from 
epoxy.
The acetone makes things worse as it solves the epoxy.
only solution i know: don't get the toner where it doesn't belong in first 
place.
(e.g. never misalign component legend).

As for the "IPA leaves residue",
it sounds right, but strangely i get holes in the transfer with acetone
while it is perfect with IPA.
I must try again with 100% same procedure.

ST