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PCBs are significant components of electronic devices, including gaming consoles, mobile phones, and modern machines. Nonetheless, over time, these PCBs accumulate dust particles, moisture, and corrosion, ultimately leading to failure. Regular PCB cleaning not only restores performance but also prevents costly failures in critical applications.
ELE PCB has compiled a guide on how to clean a PCB. This blog contains step-by-step procedures that will guide you to complete PCB cleaning. Whether you are a tech person or a layman, this guide is designed in such a way that every person can read it and follow the ELE PCB steps!
Why PCB Cleaning Matters in Different Industries
Cleaning PCB boards plays a vital role in ensuring reliability across different industries.
- Automotive Electronics: Dust and corrosion can cause ECU or ABS failures, so cleaning PCB regularly is essential.
- Medical Devices: Even small contaminants can disrupt critical equipment like monitors and ventilators.
- Industrial & Power Electronics: Dusty, humid environments increase the risk of overheating, which may cause machines broken down.
Essential PCB Cleaning Tools
Before you start cleaning your old circuit board or PCB devices, it is important to gather the right tools needed for this mission. Here are the tools in the PCB cleaning kit:
- Protective Glasses: While cleaning the PCBs, you need to protect your eyes from debris and chemical solutions. Glasses will help in doing that.
- Gloves: Since you will be handling items like chemical solutions, you will need gloves, specifically rubber gloves to prevent damaging your hands. In addition, it will likewise get your fingerprints far from sensitive parts.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA): Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a cleaning specialist that is mainly used for cleaning electronic devices. Guarantee utilizing IPA that has more than 90% concentration.
- Soft Brush: A soft brush is used to remove stubborn particles without damaging the board.
- Compressed Air: Air is another method of removing moisture and particles from the board.
- Dish or Tray: A dish or cleaning tray will help in collecting the dust from the PCB, keeping the workstation neat and clean.
How to Clean a PCB?
Recognizing Common Contaminants
PCBs commonly become contaminated with dust, small debris, corrosion, oxides and flux residues. Different contaminants require different cleaning methods.
For instance, ordinary dust can be removed with a soft-bristle brush, corrosion marks require chemical agents and flux residues need to be cleaned with a specific solution. Accurately identifying the contaminants present helps you to quickly and accurately determine the necessary tools and cleaning methods.
This step-by-step guide uses the removal of common dirt and dust as an example, following this guide and you will find how easy cleaning a PCB it is!
Step 1:
Powering down the Electronic Device
Step 2:
Preparing the Workstation
Step 3:
Leveraging the Use of Compressed Air
Step 4:
Use a Brush to Remove Dust from PCB
Always power off the device and disconnect it from any power source before cleaning.
Place the PCB on a clean, flat surface such as a tray/dish, ensuring that it is fixed in place. Also, make sure you are wearing your gloves and glasses for protection.
Use a compressed air canister to dislodge the dust layer from the PCB board. Ensure that you have placed the board in a tilt position.
While handling the canister, make sure you are not holding it in an upside-down position because that position can expel liquid from the can.
If pressurized air doesn’t work, there is always the option to use the brush to remove layers that are stuck together.
The brush will loosen the dust, allowing you to remove it effectively.
Step 5:
Clean with Isopropyl Alcohol
Step 6:
Dry and Inspect
Take a container and add the solution of Isopropyl. Ensure to match the concentration. For effective results, the IPA solution should have a 70%-90% concentration. Besides, you can also use distilled water as it doesn’t case any harm to electronic components.
After preparing the solution, dip a cotton swab into the container, making sure it doesn’t absorb too much solution. Then wipe the board surface with the swab and target the areas with grime and dirt.
Don’t apply too much pressure while cleaning the components, as it can damage them. Clean around the components, such as ICs, using the tip of a swab.
Moreover, avoid the direct contact of swapping with the leads of components because it can cause short circuits.
The last step is to apply short spans of air to remove the excessive IPA solution.
These steps can turn your old circuit board into a clear PCB. If it still doesn’t work, you should seek professional help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Washing PCBs with tap water directly
- Scrubbing with metal brushes
- Applying excessive IPA
- PCBs are not completely dry before powering on
Comparing Different PCB Cleaning Methods
Common cleaning methods include the use of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or distilled water. Ultrasonic cleaning is also used in industry.
| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons | Notes |
| Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | General electronics, light corrosion | Quick drying, leaves no residue | Limited on heavy rust | Use ≥90% for best results |
| Distilled Water | Light dust or salts | Cheap, safe | Must dry fully to avoid shorts | Works as a temporary solution |
| Ultrasonic Cleaning | Industrial, batch PCB cleaning | Cleans fine dust and flux residues | Costly, risk of solder damage | Needs strict time/frequency control |
How to Clean PCB Corrosion?
Corrosion is one of the most common things that can build up on PCB. It occurs when the metal reacts with the oxygen and moisture present in the environment. Corrosion results in the formation of rust on PCB.
It can influence the general performance of the PCB, prompting the failure of the gadget. On the off chance that there is extreme corrosion on the PCB, it should be fixed by an expert.
However, mild corrosion can be removed using the steps mentioned below.
Inspect the Damage
The first step towards cleaning the PCB from corrosion is to inspect it. Look through the corrosion type and decide if it is severe or small corrosion. For severe corrosion, request the help of experts such as ELEPCB.
Neutralize Corrosion
Neutralization is a process in which a chemical solution is applied to the corrosion which loosens the particles in the corrosion, allowing it to become soft. Take a cotton swab and dip it in the white vinegar solution or industrial-grade corrosion removal solution. Apply it on the corrosion area and dap the area.
Rinse with IPA
Following the above step, apply the IPA solution once the corrosion has been neutralized. Follow the mentioned steps for IPA cleaning mentioned in the above sections.
Besides the other solutions of baking soda, deionized water can also help to clean the PCB.
If you want to know deeper about PCB corrosion and how to clean it, click this blog:
Real Example:
How to Clean a Remote Control Circuit Board?
TV remote controls, console controllers, and AC remotes are perfect examples of electronics that can be easily exposed to dust, dirt, and grime. Here is how to clean the PCBs of remote controllers.
- Disassemble the remote control: open the casing with a small screwdriver, taking care not to damage any components.
- Remove the batteries and store them, along with the screws and other small parts, safely.
- Clean the PCB: use a soft brush, dry cotton or IPA solution to wipe off dirt.
- Dry completely using compressed air to remove all moisture.
- Reassemble the remote control by securely putting all parts back in place.
Conclusion
Dirt, dust, and grime getting on the PCB can lead to deteriorated performance of the electronic device because of thermal management. Not only that, but there is corrosion that can permanently damage the device. So, it is important to clean the PCB thoroughly to prolong the life of electronic devices.
While basic cleaning can be done at home, critical devices and severe corrosion require professional expertise. ELEPCB has advanced electronic cleaning services that gently and thoroughly remove all types of dirt from PCBs. If you want an expert opinion, reach ELEPCB using our contact page.
FAQs
A1:
It depends; if used wrongly, it causes damage, so the correct usage of that chemical avoids its causing damage in some ways. The lower ones would have a larger water percentage and might eventually cause corrosion; therefore, the correct choice of alcohol will do it.
The most common alcohol used for cleaning electronics is isopropyl alcohol. IPA is in concentrations of 90%. It’s very useful at removing dirt, grease, and other contaminants without leaving a residue.
Besides, alcohol should be applied on a clean cloth or cotton swab; this will help in controlling the amount of liquid applied and prevent it from seeping into sensitive areas.
However, sometimes it is better to use a specific cleaner instead of the alcohol.
- The sensitive components include components containing polycarbonate plastics, anti-reflective, or oleophobic coatings on screens of high-end electronics, etc.
- Highly sensitive equipment includes a pacemaker or components in an airplane.
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