PCB conductive pad cleaner

[Mike]

I have a large PCB that has several surface pads for pushbutton
contacts from a rubber membrane covering. The same that can be found
in 99.99% of todays TV remote controls. I would like to clean these
contacts, especially since I've been handling this board with my bare
hands, I'd like to remove any oils. What cleaner can I use on the PCB
contacts and the rubber buttons that covers it? I don't want to just
guess and use a solvent that will remove the conductive material that
covers these contacts.
Also, is there any type of repair material I could use if I need to
repair a conductive contact? This stuff looks like a resistive
coating, possibly applied in a paste form.

Thanks in advance
Mike........

 

[Larry]

I have a large PCB that has several surface pads for pushbutton
contacts from a rubber membrane covering. The same that can be found
in 99.99% of todays TV remote controls. I would like to clean these
contacts, especially since I've been handling this board with my bare
hands, I'd like to remove any oils. What cleaner can I use on the PCB
contacts and the rubber buttons that covers it? I don't want to just
guess and use a solvent that will remove the conductive material that
covers these contacts.
Also, is there any type of repair material I could use if I need to
repair a conductive contact? This stuff looks like a resistive
coating, possibly applied in a paste form.

Thanks in advance
Mike........

As a general cleaner i use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) with good results.

Be carefull as most IR remotes use a carbon trace which is easy to damage.

TV supply houses have repair kits for these. Exp: MCM Electronics.
Hope it helps

 

[Glen]

On 15 Jun 2004 07:55:07 -0700, [email protected] (Mike) wrote:

If it's just dirt, grease, carbon etc then use a clean eraser from a
#2 pencil (leave it on the pencil). You can actually polish gold
fingers on a card-edge connector with it too. Just don't over-do it.
Oh, and don't use gum-type erasers.

Glen

 

[Art]

Biggest bother I've seen with the eraser is the residue and the damage to
carbon type contacts. Agreed, on the metal contacts light application of an
eraser will suffice but one must clean the residue away from the pcb
afterwards. Good grade rubbing alcohol applied with "Q Tips" seems to be a
very good remedy. however, be careful you do not remove any of the printed
traces.