Cleaning up capacitor leakage

jj5 · 06-21-2022, 12:16 AM

I'm doing some OGXbox refurbs and the clock capacitors (PowerStor Aerogel) notoriously leak all over the board. I'm not sure what you call the electrolytic fluid which comes out and gets all over the circuit board, but I would like to know the best process for cleaning it up. Should I hit it with vinegar or isopropyl? Or both? Or something else?

**stj** · 06-21-2022, 03:03 AM

just isoprpanol

**CapLeaker** · 06-21-2022, 04:52 AM

99% IPA or Acetone. Depending on how stubborn it is.

jj5 · 06-21-2022, 04:58 AM

Okay, thanks!

**stj** · 06-21-2022, 06:51 AM

be carefull with acetone, you can take the markings off some parts with it

**eccerr0r** · 06-21-2022, 08:58 AM

Don't forget try clean water too...especially since failed capacitors tend to use aqueous (i.e. water) electrolytes and water will dissolve it once more.

**Per Hansson** · 06-21-2022, 10:28 AM

I would recommend cleaning using acetic acid if it leaked on the board.
Every time I do I can see bubbles and hear fizzing as I put it on the areas with leaked electrolyte, so it does a chemical reaction that much better removes it.
Of course you need to clean very thoroughly after with IPA as acetic acid will otherwise do damage on its own...

Here an example of it in action:
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...1&postcount=34

06-21-2022, 12:16 AM	#1
jj5 New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 City & State: Blaxland, NSW My Country: Australia I'm a: Knowledge Seeker Posts: 3	Cleaning up capacitor leakage I'm doing some OGXbox refurbs and the clock capacitors (PowerStor Aerogel) notoriously leak all over the board. I'm not sure what you call the electrolytic fluid which comes out and gets all over the circuit board, but I would like to know the best process for cleaning it up. Should I hit it with vinegar or isopropyl? Or both? Or something else?

06-21-2022, 03:03 AM	#2
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 26,854	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage just isoprpanol

06-21-2022, 04:52 AM	#3
CapLeaker Leaking Member Join Date: Dec 2014 City & State: Atlantic Canada My Country: Canada Line Voltage: Ground, 0Hz I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 5,219	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage 99% IPA or Acetone. Depending on how stubborn it is.

06-21-2022, 04:58 AM	#4
jj5 New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 City & State: Blaxland, NSW My Country: Australia I'm a: Knowledge Seeker Posts: 3	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage Okay, thanks!

06-21-2022, 06:51 AM	#5
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 26,854	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage be carefull with acetone, you can take the markings off some parts with it

06-21-2022, 08:58 AM	#6
eccerr0r Solder Sloth Join Date: Nov 2012 City & State: CO My Country: USA Line Voltage: 120VAC 60Hz I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 7,208	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage Don't forget try clean water too...especially since failed capacitors tend to use aqueous (i.e. water) electrolytes and water will dissolve it once more.

06-21-2022, 10:28 AM	#7
Per Hansson Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 City & State: ---- My Country: Sweden Line Voltage: 230v 50Hz I'm a: Knowledge Seeker Posts: 5,230	Re: Cleaning up capacitor leakage I would recommend cleaning using acetic acid if it leaked on the board. Every time I do I can see bubbles and hear fizzing as I put it on the areas with leaked electrolyte, so it does a chemical reaction that much better removes it. Of course you need to clean very thoroughly after with IPA as acetic acid will otherwise do damage on its own... Here an example of it in action: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...1&postcount=34 __________________ "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

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