Hey Joe, I am a supplier of both HASL solder and flux. I would like to point out the following potential issues that can affect the appearance of your solder finish. 1. Solder Thickness. The solder deposit must have adequate thickness or the intermetallic will make it appear dull. This can be adjusted by the speed at which the board passes through the air knife, air knife angle, and air pressure. 2. Solder contamination. I believe you said you had you had your solder checked for metallic impurities but solder mask residues ( uncured LPSM ) could also give you dull solder. 3. I really doubt if using a thick flux would have anything to do with dull solder but you might try thining your flux with water ( 15% ) and then seeing if that has any affect, 4. I believe you said the solder had a hazel appearaance. This might mean you aren't getting proper rinsing. The post processing of HASL panels through deep gold and subsequent resist stripping will also change the appearaance of the HASL deposit. These are just a few things to try. I hope they help. My Best, Chris McGary Dexter Electronic Materials *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To subscribe/unsubscribe send a message <to: [log in to unmask]> * * with <subject: subscribe/unsubscribe> and no text in the body. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************