Stripping lead/tin solder with HCl - how bad does it change board?

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snoman701

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2016
Messages
2,108
Location
SE MI
I'd really like some "blank" motherboard for an art project...actually, a Christmas gift.

If I strip the solder with HCl, is the board pretty much unphased? I know that lye will eat the solder mask right off.
 
It won't completely clean it down to bare shiny copper but will get it nice and flat with no lumps of solder. It leaves a dark oxidized layer where the solder was, but you should be able to polish it up some with a buffing wheel. If you leave it too long it will start to peel and bubble the green/brown masking off.
 
Thanks Rick...might just go with RAM since I can clean that with just a soldering iron. It's the thru hole connections that are making my life difficult.

Making a clock for my brother using vintage parts from an 80's multibus board, a 6" silicon wafer and whatever else I need.

Wishing I just had a solder pot big enough! Or a good ole desoldering blower.
 
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