Newbie PCB Question

[aggie_67]

In process of learning to make my own PCB using toner transfer method. After all components are added do you need to protect the copper trace from corrosion? Is solder a good material? Is so is it advantageous to solder cover the copper before adding the components, seems it would make soldering easier. Know you would have to redrill the holes but seems solder being soft would make this an easy job?

[scratch_6057]

Covering the all the traces with solder is a questionable practice due to the possible
entrapment of corrosive flux, especially if you are using a flux core wire
solder. Some people coat the traces with solder paste (surface mount
soldering paste preferred) and then place the board in a surplus “Toster
Oven” ( don’t use for food after solder has been inside one of these).
Or use a Hot Air Heat Gun to melt the solder.

The better option I think is to use a Tin Plating solution like Datak’s “TINNIT”
( http://www.elexp.biz/pro_er18.htm ) or “COOL-AMP”
( http://www.cool-amp.com/New%20cool%20amp%20page.htm )

If you have not taken a look at the “Homebrew_PCBs” group on YAHOO
( http://groupyahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/ ) take a look,
lots of good information there.

[H500]

I always coat a layer of solder on my boards using my soldering iron. Corrosion won't be a problem with rosin or "no clean" flux. Acid flux should never be used on pcbs.

[scratch_6057]

The link for YAHOO Homebrew_PCBs SHOULD be
"groups DOT yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/"
I have seen a number of Yahoo Groups links mangled
by the board software. It drops the "s" from "groups"
and the dot between "groups" and "yahoo", why is that?