Cleaning Up After Soldering

Soldering's fun but it leaves a sticky mess when you're done. Rosin core is amazing while you're using it, until you've finished and realize it's splattered all over your board. When you touch the residue it's sticky and gets all over your fingers. Gross. 

Let's mop up this nasty rosin-core-flux-bath-aftermath and turn it into this:

Things you'll need:

• 91% IPA - 70% will work too, you'll just need to let it soak a little longer to dissolve the residue.
• A lint-free cloth or rag
• Small flat-head screwdriver
• Lamp - I love lamp
• Patience

Cleaning

Start with the flat-head screwdriver and gently break up all the clumps of rosin, flux, and any other solder splatter stuck to the board. The goal is to scrape lightly—just enough to loosen the hardened bits without scratching or gouging anything.

This knocks down the big puddles and gummy clumps, ideally leaving only a thin film of residue that wipes away easily with IPA and a rag.

The alternative is drowning the board in IPA and applying elbow grease with a rag—which, in my experience, is like mopping up rain (and it gunks up the rag fast). The extra exertion also makes accidental damage more likely. I find that a little precision with a screwdriver first saves effort and reduces risk.

Remember, be gentle and use baby-finger pressure--this ain't a King Kong ding dong slapfest. We're not playing for a scratch off prize here (though, the prize would be a scratched up board).

Note the glittery flecks of rosin dust. 

Once all the large bits are cracked loose, dust off the debris and break out the IPA and rag. You can wet the rag with IPA or spray the IPA on the board. I like spraying the board and letting it soak a few seconds before wiping. If you go with the damp-rag method, hold the rag against the spot you're trying to clean so the IPA can dissolve the residue. Again, the key word here is "gentle." 

Use small circular rubbing-in-place motion and don't drag the rag across components. 

The point is to let the IPA do most of the work, softening and dissolving the residue so you can soak it up with the rag. 

For stubborn spots, it helps to wrap the rag around your finger and spot clean in small circular motions with your finger. 

It may take a few rounds of spraying and wiping. Use a light and check against the reflection to spot streaks and smears. 

It should look something like this after your finger workout. Congratulations, it's like you never soiled the board in the first place!

Make sure to let your board dry before plugging it in.