Paraffin-based wax is soluble in petrol, lighter fluid and the like. It
could dissolve a number of other types of necessary sealants used in very
old (>40years) circuits, though, so you have to use your judgment on
application method.

If it's some other kind of wax, you'll need to identify it.

I wouldn't expect paraffin to affect your hardware as seriously as you
describe. Perhaps there's another contaminant, absorbed by the materials you
are attempting to remove.

RL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Earl A. Pruitt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 10:06 PM
Subject: [TN] Contaminated solder


> I am an electronics tech servicing 10+ year old amateur radio gear.  The
> trouble I am having is with a single sided through-hole board.  Areas of
> the board are covered with wax.  Over time the boards malfunction as the
> wax works its way into the solder.  Hand resoldering is a nightmare as the
> wax continues to wick towards the connection.  Heating the board and
> draining the wax away does not help as some wax residue is left.  Also,
> components become damaged from the air gun.  The boards are also covered
> in contact cement that has become corrosive and conductive.  Currently we
> are using Methaline Chloride to soften the glue and then pick it away.
> Questions are as follows: 1) How can the wax be completely removed? 2) How
> can the glue be removed without using such a toxic substance as paint
> stripper? 3) Is there an economical device that can be purchased to reflow
> these old boards without hand resoldering hundreds of cold/contaminated
> connections?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
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