Removing solder mask

Archive BatchPCB
1

I just got my boards and found a mistake I made - the pads that hold a surface mount connector are covered with solder mask.

What’s the best way to remove the solder mask? I thought I’d ask before damaging the board.

Thanks,

Frank

2

Greetings Frank,

ftkalcevic:
What’s the best way to remove the solder mask? I thought I’d ask before damaging the board.

A sharp knife (such as X-Acto with No. 11 blade),

a magnifying glass (or low power microscope),

and a steady hand…

Comments Welcome!

3

Darn! I thought it was going to be something like that. The only thing I found in my googling was a description of solder mask usually being an epoxy.

4

I had the same problem with a board of mine, except that it was down to the board supplier.

I didn’t want to wait a few days for the new board so I scraped the resist off with a scalpel. It was a small board so it didn’t take long.

Leon