subject: What Is A Fiberglass Eraser? [print this page] . But what IS a fiberglass eraser?
The origin of this tool lies not in electronics, but in drafting. The fiberglass eraser was originally a tool used by draftsmen to clean their working surfaces of unwanted markings. It has also been used by artists who work on mediums such as clayboard and scratchboard, which require that markings be removed from the surface of the art piece. In time, however, clever people with a problem to solve re-purposed the fiberglass brush. Those who tinkered in electronics realized that it could also be a useful tool for other applications in their field.
A fiberglass eraser looks a little like a retractable pencil. Inside its core, however, is a bundle of extremely fine fiberglass bristles. When the eraser is twisted, it causes the bristles to either retract inside the tube or extend from one end of it. These extremely fine bristles are ground or rubbed onto a surface in order to clean it.
But how is this eraser used? Many hobbyists use them, such as those working with model train sets, stock cars, metal gaming figures, or electrified doll houses. They rely upon fiberglass erasers to clean brass and other metals. When rubbed with the bristles of this eraser, brass can be spot-cleaned and removed of tarnish or corrosion. The hobbyist often uses this eraser to get rid of paint or to remove rust. They can also be used to create a matte finish on a soft metal. A fiberglass brush is a good choice for when a brass brush would be a bit too harsh, but when some serious cleaning is needed.
Electronics professionals and hobbyists also use fiberglass brushes to make clean surfaces for better electrical conductivity. They are used in electronics work to prepare surfaces for soldering, preparing contact points on electrical starters, pressure switches, copper tracks, and many types of circuit board repair and maintenance. Although there are also other ways to clean contact surfaces and other metal parts, many have found the tried and true fiberglass eraser to be an affordable, convenient and effective tool.
A fiberglass eraser is also sometimes referred to as a glass fiber contact cleaning brush. However you refer to it, though, it is a useful little tool that is good for many different applications.
