🚀 go-pugleaf

adw@cci632.cci.com (Allen Williams (co-op)) writes:
> I have made some circuit boards ...

> However, one step that I think would be a good addition is the green
>layer of plastic insulation that commercial circuit boards have. ...

> Is it possible to add this layer of green insulation on do-it-yourself
>boards? ...

> Although it's not absolutely necessary to have insulated traces, I feel 
>that it would be better in the long run to reduce the chances of short
>circuits as boards tend to accumulate dust and crud during long term use.

      The green "solder mask" layer is really an aid to wave-soldering of
high-density boards, not a protection for the board after manufacture.
If you want to protect your finished (stuffed, soldered, and tested)
board from exposure, what you want is a conformal coating like Fine-L-Coat
from Tech Spray.  You spray this on the finished board (masking connectors,
pots, etc.) and it "shrink-wraps" the board with a clear, waterproof coat.
Conformal coats are widely used for military, marine, aircraft, and
automotive electronics, but rarely for office products.  There are
other kinds of conformal coats; some are dip baths for production work,
but the sprays are easier for small-scale jobs.

      Fine-L-Coat Remover is available if you have to make board repairs.

					John Nagle