Conformal coating performance depends entirely on surface preparation. Even the best PCB lacquer will fail if applied over a contaminated surface. Flux residues, ionic contamination, oils and fingerprints create adhesion barriers that allow moisture to penetrate — defeating the whole purpose. CONINS Elclean Liquid and ELCLEAN E-Clean Spray are your complete surface preparation solution.

Why Cleaning Before Conformal Coating Is Non-Negotiable

  • 🔬 Flux residues are ionic and mildly acidic — they corrode copper traces even under a coating over time
  • 💧 Ionic contamination creates conductive paths — causes electrochemical migration (dendrite growth) under moisture
  • 🫧 Oils and fingerprints — prevent coating adhesion, cause delamination bubbles and pinholes
  • 🧪 Rosin residues are hygroscopic — attract and hold moisture under the coating film
⚠️ Important Rule: Never apply conformal coating to an uncleaned board. Even boards that appear visually clean may have invisible ionic contamination (measurable by ROSE test or ion chromatography) that degrades long-term coating performance.

Elclean Liquid — For Thorough PCB Cleaning

Elclean Liquid (also known as PCB flux remover liquid, circuit board defluxer, PCBA cleaning agent, PCB degreaser liquid or IPA-based PCB cleaner) is designed for:

  • ✅ Pre-coating cleaning — removes solder flux, ionic residues and surface contamination from assembled PCBs
  • ✅ Conformal coating removal — dissolves Acrylcoat coatings (Elclean Thinner AR) for rework
  • ✅ Dip cleaning — full board immersion for thorough decontamination of complex assemblies
  • ✅ Manual brush cleaning — agitation removes stubborn flux deposits under components

ELCLEAN E-Clean Spray — Fast & Targeted

E-Clean Spray (also called PCB aerosol cleaner, circuit board cleaning spray, spot PCB defluxer or quick-dry PCB cleaner) is ideal for:

  • ✅ Spot cleaning — targeting specific areas without processing the whole board
  • ✅ In-line production cleaning — quick application between soldering and conformal coating processes
  • ✅ Rework cleaning — removing residues after repair soldering
  • ✅ Localised conformal coating removal — spot rework of coated areas without full board stripping

Complete 5-Step Cleaning Process Before Conformal Coating

1

Apply Elclean

Spray or brush Elclean Liquid / E-Clean onto the PCB. Ensure full coverage including under low-profile SMD components and between connector pins.

2

Agitate

Scrub with a soft ESD-safe brush using circular motions to loosen flux deposits under component bodies. Pay particular attention to QFP, BGA and connector areas.

3

Rinse / Remove

Allow solvent to evaporate (Elclean dries fast with minimal residue), or rinse with fresh clean solvent for a two-stage clean process on critical boards.

4

Pre-Dry in Oven

Pre-dry the cleaned PCB at 60°C for 10–15 minutes. This drives off residual solvent and any moisture absorbed from the cleaning process or atmosphere.

5

Inspect & Proceed

Inspect under UV lamp. Confirm board is clean, dry and free of visible residue. Board is now ready for conformal coating application with any Acrylcoat product.

Using Elclean as Conformal Coating Remover for Rework

Elclean Thinner AR is the recommended solvent for removing all CONINS Acrylcoat conformal coatings during rework:

  • Apply Elclean Thinner AR to the area to be reworked
  • Allow 30–60 seconds for solvent to penetrate and soften the coating
  • Agitate with a brush — coating dissolves and wipes away cleanly
  • Wipe clean — the area is now ready for component removal and repair
  • After rework: re-clean with Elclean and re-coat the repaired area with fresh Acrylcoat

Why CONINS Elclean Products Over Generic IPA?

FeatureCONINS ElcleanGeneric IPA 99%
Flux removal effectiveness✔ Excellent — formulated for electronics flux⚠ Moderate — varies with flux type
Acrylcoat removal✔ Tested and certified compatible⚠ Variable — may not fully dissolve
Ionic residue removal✔ Complete⚠ Partial
Post-clean adhesion of Acrylcoat✔ Guaranteed adhesion⚠ Not guaranteed — test required
Compatibility assurance✔ CONINS tested combination✘ No formal compatibility data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CONINS Elclean used for? ▼
CONINS Elclean products serve two purposes: (1) cleaning PCBs before conformal coating to remove flux residues and ionic contamination — ensuring good adhesion of Acrylcoat products, and (2) removing Acrylcoat coatings for PCB rework and component replacement using Elclean Thinner AR.
Is Elclean safe for all PCB components? ▼
CONINS Elclean is formulated to be safe on standard PCB components — SMD resistors, capacitors, ICs in standard packages, and FR4 boards. Use with care on certain plastic housing labels, some polyester films, and components with water-based adhesives. Test in a small area if uncertain.
How long does it take for Elclean to dry? ▼
Elclean has fast evaporation — the board surface will be touch-dry within 2–5 minutes at room temperature. However, always follow with the pre-drying step (60°C, 10–15 minutes in oven) before applying conformal coating, as some solvent may remain trapped under components even after surface drying.
Can I use Elclean to remove black conformal coating? ▼
Yes. Elclean Thinner AR removes both clear and opaque (black) Acrylcoat conformal coatings. Application process is the same — apply solvent, allow to penetrate, agitate with brush and wipe clean. Black coating removal may require a slightly longer penetration time (60–90 seconds) due to the thicker 2-coat application.