Expert: Sue Spire - 5/20/2009

Question
Hi Sue - I'm wondering if glass cleaner that is ammonia free and vinegar free would work as a flux cleaner. I'm trying to find something cheaper than the products specifically made for that purpose. In a class I took, the instructor used a common glass cleaner (with ammonia), followed by a wipe with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I'm thinking that the glass cleaner without ammonia might work, but am asking the expert!""  

Answer
Hi Claudia,

I have never used flux remover or window cleaner on my work.

If I'm working on a project and can't finish soldering in one go, I wipe it off with a paper towel, then put it in a zip lock plastic bag until I can get back to it. If it's too big for a bag, I cover it with cling wrap.

When I'm finished soldering a copper foil project I wash it with sudsy ammonia, rinse and dry, then wax and polish with Mother's Gold Cleaner Wax (available at any car care center), put on the patina, then wax and polish again. You can see my instructions for cleaning at http://www.freepatternsforstainedglass.com/patina.html

For a leaded panel, I just wipe it off with a paper towel. The putty process takes care of any flux left behind.