Which conformal coating to use?

[flyboy320]

Went to my local electronics store and they sell three different types of MG chemical conformal coating, silicone, urethane, and acrylic. I picked up the silicone one, but is there much advantage of one over the other in our applications?

 

[bilinvic]

I use urethane for my waterproofing. I've read it's the best of the three.

 

[Meatwad]

Been using the acrylic for awhile now and no issues.

 

[robertjpjr]

Went to my local electronics store and they sell three different types of MG chemical conformal coating, silicone, urethane, and acrylic. I picked up the silicone one, but is there much advantage of one over the other in our applications?

I believe its just the elasticity of the coating. I also use the acrylic and if the item flexes, the acrylic flakes. I imagine that the silicone would flex some.

I'm interested to know the answer myself.

 

[flyboy320]

Well seeing as how MG Chemicals is just down the road from me I thought I would call them and see what they said. The tech guy said either the silicone or acrylic would work fine for our RC use. The silicone has a curing agent in it and will dry a bit faster than the acrylic, but other than that, not much difference (at least for our application with RC circuit boards). He did mention that if you need to re-work the coating, then acrylic is the one you want.

I'll give the silicone one a try seeing as how I have that one already.

 

[badhoopty]

ive used the techspray turbo-coat quick drying acrylic with no issues. i have no complaints at all with it, but when my last can runs out im going to try the brush on urethane stuff to see if it covers better with less coats, which im sure it will.

 

[Meatwad]

That's one point I hadn't considered, the acrylic doesn't cover all that well till after a light coat at first. I usually go light at first, let it dry and toss a couple more coats on to be safe so I sleep better that night.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Silicone is what we use in house, it coats easier and can be reworked with acetone if needed. Epoxy and Acrylic work fine too. Anything that is "conformal" will get the job done.

 

[flyboy320]

Silicone is what we use in house, it coats easier and can be reworked with acetone if needed. Epoxy and Acrylic work fine too. Anything that is "conformal" will get the job done.

Always good to hear from the guru himself, I figure if it's good enough for you, it'll be fine for me..."thumbsup"

As far as the signal wire connector on the ESC, do you just cram Dielectric grease in them and then hook it up?

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Yep, cram remaining plug bodies with dielectric grease.

 

[flyboy320]

Yep, cram remaining plug bodies with dielectric grease.

Thanks John.

Ordered your Trailmaster last week, can't wait for it to arrive!

 

[billy bones]

ive used the techspray turbo-coat quick drying acrylic with no issues. i have no complaints at all with it, but when my last can runs out im going to try the brush on urethane stuff to see if it covers better with less coats, which im sure it will.

I just ordered some silicone conformal coating in a 2oz bottle but can go to the store tomorrow and get the aerosol 12oz can thats in stock.
I'm referring to MG chemicals.
I'm glad I came across this post, I may just give the aerosol a go.
Thanks for the post of your experience.

 

[RiderZ]

Hey BB have you applied the aerosol version yet?

 

[billy bones]

Hey BB have you applied the aerosol version yet?

No I have not, in fact I haven't even picked it up yet, the store is only about 35 miles but it seems something else always comes up.
If I get a chance in the next day or two I will post my results asap.

 

[stelerzman]

I've used the acrylic with out any issues.
The trick may be a few really light coats with ample drying time in between.
I've done everything from receivers to esc's and even a servo board.
Hope this helps.

 

[DeviousPixels]

Hey BB have you applied the aerosol version yet?

I have used the silicone aerosol a few times, just use light coats like stelerzman said. I have also sprayed it into a plastic cup and brushed it on for more precise stuff. It has a UV agent, I got a cheap UV flashlight for checking id's to double check for good coverage. So far everything that drove into a creek working came out working."thumbsup"