I just received a package of LEDs and a package of resistors ordered from China on eBay. The contents are covered with a tan colored goo. I assume this is for corrosion protection. What is the goo, and more importantly, how can the goo be removed without damaging the components.
Do you mean that the parts are covered in a layer of grease or oil, or someone put them in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich kind of deal? If it is just some light oil, Goo Gone or another household cleaner may work. I have never heard of this happening.
I expect the grease is to protect them from corrosion by the salt of the ocean air as those LEDs made their way from China. Most of our wire splices (in the telecom industry) are filled with a greasy goo. We put the wire ends into the container, splice them, and the goo keeps moisture at bay. In any electrical splice, corrosion is the enemy. We generally just wipe any excess off.
I work in electronics, doing assembly and testing work, and I have never seen any electronic components shipped in any kind of goo. They're all properly sealed in moisture-proof anti-static bags or similar containers and are accompanied by a cardboard moisture indicator (% humidity). Believe me, if any electronic components were to be shipped to us in any kind of goo, both my boss and I would be hollering to high Heaven giving an ear-full to the supplier. It would just be a question of which of us would be nastier (bets are usually taken ).
I agree with Mike, everything needs to be clean and corrosion free, or the work to clean them would cost more than the parts. Any contamination would result in my purchasing person having a nasty phone conversation with the supplier. Are you saying that the bags they came in were not sealed, or were they? Also is the goo on the outside of the bag or only inside on it's contents? Greg
I've been shocked at how quick, polite and knowledgeable the Chinese vendors on eBay are. You might consider emailing the seller and asking them what gives. I bet they'll either have an answer, or they'll offer to replace it. .
In the past year I have gotten 100's of electronic component packages from China, and not one had goo in it.
