Soldering on proto board - gauze in the way

[domwild]

Hi,
Have added two 4k7 resistors in pos. R5/R6 for the i2C chip and now find that the traces are protected by gauze on the underside. Am I supposed to remove the gauze and solder below or solder on top??
Second query: Had to "lay on hands" on Picaxe to get it to make contact although all pins were in, is this common??
Thanks.

 

[inglewoodpete]

There are several proto boards. Can you be more specific? Which side of the board is this gauze and what is it made of?

 

[domwild]

Pete,
The gauze is on the underside where all the soldering takes place. Would not want to pull it off. Material? Similar to the stuff you apply after a cut but thinner.
Thanks.

 

[domwild]

Pete,

Sorry, the number of this Picaxe proto board is AXE022 for 28X chip; gauze is light blue.

 

[BeanieBots]

It's just a mask, you should remove it.
Soldering is normally done by application to the non-component side.

 

[Technical]

This layer is called a peelable solder resist and stops the (optional) pads from filling up with solder during the wave soldering process used to solder on the main components.

It also protects the pads during storage - keeps them free from grease and oxidisation.

Simply stick your finger nail under the edge and peel it off before soldering - it will come off very easily.

 

[domwild]

Thanks for the replies. Will peel it off as no harm is done.