All the advice in this thread is pretty good. I don't have much to add, except for a big WOW on equill's impressive chemistry knowledge.

@Equill:

would you mind elaborating on what happens when the electrolytic liquids spill onto the motherboard and on traces and are left there for a while?

In my experience they actually corrode or 'eat' the traces. Don't know or understand the chemistry behind it, but I know I've got to clean it and now with your previous extended post, I know the best ways to do that!

Thanks in advance!