How to Acid-Clean Copper Circuit Boards

If you've ever dropped a penny into a cup of vinegar, you know that vinegar effectively cleans copper in a matter of seconds. Vinegar is acetic acid diluted to a nontoxic, noncorrosive state, and it is one of the safest and easy-to-find acids to use to clean a corroded copper printed circuit board, or PCB. Before cleaning the circuit board, remove it from its home. Wear thin rubber gloves while handling the circuit board to avoid transferring the oils on your fingers to the copper.

Thin rubber gloves
2 ceramic bowls
Distilled white vinegar
Distilled water
Toothbrush
Cotton swab
Foam brush
Microfiber cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Pour about 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar into one bowl, and plain distilled water into another.
- 2
  Hold the copper circuit board over the bowl containing the vinegar. Dip a toothbrush in the vinegar and gently scrub the copper clean.
- 3
  Dip a cotton swab in the vinegar and use the tip for detailed cleaning .
- 4
  Rinse the copper circuit board over the bowl containing distilled water. Dip a clean sponge brush into the water and dab it on the circuit board to remove the vinegar residue.
- 5
  Dry the circuit board gently with a microfiber cloth. Allow the board to air-dry completely before reinstalling it.

How to Get the Smell Out of Clear Coated Furniture

Can a Painted Concrete Floor Be Polished?

House Cleaning