Just etched first PCB, can't solder just yet...

[ejaf]

And I've read several threads here and elsewhere that I should protect the board from corrosion, with either an Acrylic or (I think I read) an enamel paint.

OK...Also helps in solder masking, I believe. Question I have is when I finally do get around to soldering, do I have to scrape off the acrylic/enamel from the soldering pads, or will I be able to just solder with the covering still in place?

Apologies for such newbie questions, but without you people being kind enough to answer several prior threads, I would never have been able to etch my own board (yea!!!).

TIA...Eric

[Chippie]

Eric,

This does come down to personal preference......

My own preference is to etch, drill and tin the board. Assemble components and solder them in. Once the board is proven to work, I spray over it with some clear lacquer.
I think the ultimate is to produce boards with a similar finish to those that one can have made commercially, but atm I think that is a little beyond th reach of the amateur electronics bod........

[Malc C]

I'm lazy... etch, drill, silkscreen mask and solder components - no fuffing about with tinning etc.

For those that want to tin the tracks there is a powder that can be used and gives good results - but its expensive !

[darkith]

I've used Testor's spray enamel to protect PCBs before soldering. If you're soldering with a 30 watt iron, the paint will vaporize right off the pad. If you're working with a 15 watt, it's sometimes reluctant to burn off, so I sometimes scrape the pads.

D.

[dleroi]

If you use the photo method, just leave the resist on until you're ready to solder.

[Chippie]

For those that want to tin the tracks there is a powder that can be used and gives good results - but its expensive !

It works out to be around £12 for the powder, makes about a litre of tinning fluid, but has a limited shelf life.....

[ejaf]

Of course, being my first etched board, I couldn't just leave the resist (actually toner) on...too impatient to actually see my work :rolleyes:

Thanks, the "vaporizing right off the pad" answered my question.

Eric