Flux vs no-clean flux on a vintage audio board - I learned the hard way

I was recapping a 1970s Marantz receiver last month and decided to try no-clean flux instead of my usual rosin flux. Big mistake. The no-clean stuff left this sticky residue that attracted dust and made the board look awful. After three days, I had to pull everything off, scrub it with isopropyl, and start over with my old flux. The rosin flux just works better on these old boards because it cleans up easily and leaves a nice finish. Has anyone else run into trouble trying to switch flux types on vintage gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_mitchell571d ago

Dude, no-clean flux on vintage gear is like using sandpaper to clean your glasses. I definitely learned that same lesson the hard way, but on my dad's old Pioneer. The sticky residue just makes me feel like I'm building a dust farm instead of a receiver. I swear I still find little bits of that crusty no-clean gunk in my tool drawer months later. Rosin flux for life though, it's just a no-brainer on those old boards. We all gotta make one dumb mistake before we figure out what works.

sandra1461d ago

Stick to rosin flux and never look back. No-clean is just asking for trouble on those old boards. You learn that lesson once, you know?