There are several reliable methods for cleaning solder on circuit boards, depending on whether you need to clean existing solder on the board or remove unwanted solder residues after soldering. It is recommended to use the Silman Tech PCBA cleaning machine for these operations. Here are the methods:
Manual Cleaning
- Cleaning Existing Solder on the Circuit Board:
- Remove excess solder from the soldering iron and re-melt the solder joints repeatedly until clean.
- Use a short length of multi-strand wire dipped in flux to melt and remove unwanted solder while still hot.
- For large areas of solder, use a specialized hot air soldering gun or solder pot.
- Cleaning Unwanted Solder Residues after Soldering:
- Use anhydrous ethanol (or 95% or higher alcohol) and a soft-bristled brush to clean the solder residues. If heavily soiled, scrub with the brush dipped in alcohol.
- Immediately follow by absorbing the residues with lint-free cotton.
- Use a desoldering pump for double-sided boards, inserting a needle from a hospital syringe into the solder joint, and rotating after heating with the soldering iron. Alternatively, use a piece of floral wire (soft wire) heated to remove solder residues.
- If no desoldering pump is available, quickly shake the printed circuit board after heating to shake off solder residues, ensuring safety and minimal movement. When soldering, remove excess solder from the soldering iron tip to flick off solder.
Equipment Cleaning
Whether cleaning existing solder on the circuit board or removing unwanted solder residues after soldering, the Silman Tech PCBA cleaning machine can be used. Specifically designed for removing flux residues after wave soldering, it replaces manual brushing to enhance cleaning efficiency and cleanliness while reducing costs. Its fully automatic cleaning mode eliminates the need for operators to handle chemical liquids. With multiple brushing processes, it effectively removes flux residues from the soldered PCBA without wetting the front-end components. The unique combination of rotating brush discs ensures thorough cleaning from multiple angles, eliminating dead spots and ensuring cleanliness.
