HOW-TO: PCB Trace Repair Using Adhesive-backed Foil Jumper

Scrape away resist.

The damaged trace should be cut away and removed using a cutting tool, being careful not to damage any surrounding traces, components and contacts.  Whenever possible, this repair should be made at least three millimeters away from contacts that will later be soldered in order to minimize the chance of reflowing the repair.  Before pulling off the damaged trace, double-check that your cut is complete. Otherwise you risk lifting up the remaining trace and/or contact.

Before you can add a jumper, the conductive surfaces must be exposed at the point of the break. You can use the cutting tool to carefully scrape away at least 3mm length of the overcoat material. A rotary tool grinding bit, held in your hand, is a good tool to gently scrape away resist in a controlled way. Make sure to scrape lightly to avoid damaging the conductive material of the trace underneath.

Use an alcohol cleaning wipe, solvent cleaning pen, or some other method to remove overcoat particulates and other residues from the repair area.

Clean off resist particulates.

Solder one end of jumper.

Apply flux to the existing traces, and use a soldering iron and solder wire to tin each end of the trace.  Desoldering braid may be used to remove any excess solder.  Clean the area again.

Prepare foil jumper.

Place new conductor

Apply flux to the tinned traces on the board. Then overlap one end of the foil over the existing trace by at least twice the width of the trace.  Hold the new trace in place using polyamide tape.

Activate adhesive with heated tip.

Choose a bonding tip or soldering tip that covers the width of the new jumper.  Apply pressure onto the tape over the foil using the hot bonding tip or soldering tip.  Follow the manufacturer instructions for bonding process.  Remove the tape and clean and inspect the area.

Solder both ends.

Use a soldering iron to solder the foil jumper to the traces. The solder that was applied in step 2 is normally enough to make a good connection, so additional solder may not be necessary.

Clean repair area.

Clean the repair area, being careful not to damage the new trace.

Apply overcoat to repair area.

Spread and texture overcoat.

Mix the overcoat epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Apply the epoxy over the trace with a pick.  A lint free foam swab can be used as needed to thin and spread the epoxy over the sides of trace.  Polyamide tape may be used to mask areas from the epoxy. 

Alternatively, an overcoat pen can be used to cover and protect the reapired trace as long as the coating will not be exposed to extreme soldering temeratures. The will enable a faster application and cure more quickly. Cure the epoxy or overcoat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Do not cure at a heat which components on the board cannot tolerate, however.