Air compressor leaked

Aolish

Senior member
Jan 1, 2002
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I wasn't exactly sure where to put this thread so I decided to put it in general. I was doing some spring cleaning on my computer since its been about a year or more I believe since I last did it. While cleaning the inside of the case using an air compressor it unfortunately leaked. I'm not exactly sure what happened, perhaps I angled it wrong? All I know it spewed out liquid while aiming on the bottom left corner of my case, but I'm not sure exactly where some of the liquid landed since I can't visibly see it. I think maybe even a big glop of the air compressor leaked inside my PSU. All I heard was sizzling of the air compressor that some touched the case. Now I'm afraid to turn the computer on in fear that I might fry something. Is it recommended that I wait for a couple of days for this stuff to dry out? Thanks for any help you guys can give. God Bless!

EDIT: Is it possible for an air compressor liquid to do damage when its in contact with a circuitry?
 
Feb 25, 2011
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From like an honest to good air compressor, or from canned air?

If it's canned air, it's just liquid air - it'll boil off quick and more than likely didn't do any damage.

If it was from an actual air compressor, that's likely condensation (water) from inside the air compressor. So it's probably rusty/oily. Probably a good idea to let the computer sit and dry for a day or three before you try to turn it on, and swab with rubbing alcohol and a shop towel any spots you can find where it got wet.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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It sounds like you tilted the compressed air can by your description of what happened. Like dave_ said that stuff will be gone in just a few moments.

Always keep the can fully upright, use short blasts, stop using it for a while when the can begins getting cold, and always have your computer shut down (and the power cable removed from the wall, or at least turned off at the PSU) to prevent the instant death of your computer when that happens.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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7,383
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