Compressed air

[ScottyB]

Has anyone used that Duster stuff from Walmart/Kmart?

 

[RSMemphis]

To do what?

 

[ScottyB]

I was going to use it to clean my ps, mobo, and other components but I saw that it has a chemical in it. Is it safe for the mobo and etc?

 

[Ryan]

Yes, it is very safe to use. I have heard people say that it's bad for your HD, but I don't know. I use it about once a month, and i have yet to see any damage.

 

[ScottyB]

Ok thanks, just going to be cleaning things up when I change my heatsink this week.

 

[MoMeanMugs]

I do it the cheaper way. I buy a couple bottles of rubbing alcohol and give my schnittle a bath. I have a boatload of computers so I can afford to let one sit out a couple days to dry out. Rubbing alcohol leaves no residue so everything comes out looking spiffy. BTW, these are not old crappy 486's I do this to. Call me crazy, but it works fine.

 

[MichaelD]

Try a vacuum. It works much better. Blowing the dust around, just blows it around. It doesn't REMOVE it, which is what you'd want to do. Ideally, anyway.

Momeanmugs. You are crazy.

 

[MoMeanMugs]

NOOOOOOOO!!!! Do NOT use a vacuum! Static electricity is not your best friend. You may like to shock yourself, but you computer will be deader than 3Dfx.

 

[ScottyB]

When I was a computer tech in highschool my tech teacher had me use a vacuum to get the dust out of a computer. It was cold outside too so I was coughing dust and freezing.

 

[Howard]

How does a vacuum cleaner create static electricity?

 

[WarCon]

Actually it can, it has to do with rubber or any rubberized parts. It's a rubber belt they run across a blade to make a Van de Graff generator (right?). Air is slower than the metal plate, but can build up a static charge. BTW, I have seen many people do it though with no immediate problems. I just don't. I stick with canned air and a lintless rag and rubbing alcohol to get mine clean.

My cat on the other hand is a static beast and should not be allowed to be in my computer room.........

 

[Sniper82]

What you need is a vacuum and the compressed air. What you do is hold the vacuum behind the PSU(inside the case) then use the compress air where the fan is. It will work either way but when you use them together the compress air will blow the dust off the PSU while the vacuum sucks the dust in. Kinda hold the vacuum close to each component when you clean it so it can catch the dust. A vacuum alone won't remove the dust unless you get right up on the component which is a no no.

Also read the instructions on the compressed air. You ain't suppost to shake it and your suppost to keep the can upright when using. If you don't you will notice the can is blowing some liquid out. After cleaning let it set for a few mins just incase something did get a little moisture on it.

EDIT:as long as you ain't touching everything in sight or with the vacuum you won't have any static problems.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

The liquid stuff is usually tetrafloraethane (sp?). usually marked 1,1,1,2. as long as it doesn't have any "petroleum distilates" or silicone it should evaporate away just like alcohol, and much faster.

Don't many folks use this stuff to test electronic components for failure?

 

[ShadowFox]

MoMeanMugs, you're using 99% IPA right?

 

[Challenger]

I use my air compressor at 120psi,works great!

 

[Agamar]

I use a Thermax to clean my computer...It is like a vacuum except the air goes into the water first. I have never had static charge build up on it... I think it has something to do with not having a rubber belt in it. I think it uses a series of metal plates to create suction.

 

[DSTA]

Whatever you do with compressed air or vaccuum, keep it away from the fans. Might be fun to spin them up to X rpm, but the bearings don't like it.

 

[AlastorX82]

<< Yes, it is very safe to use. I have heard people say that it's bad for your HD, but I don't know. I use it about once a month, and i have yet to see any damage. >>



How does air damage a hard drive?

 

[MoMeanMugs]

ShadowFox, yup.

 

[Jerboy]

<< Has anyone used that Duster stuff from Walmart/Kmart? >>



That stuff is by no mean air. It is liquified fluorocarbon. The cheap kind is flammable and is Difluoroethane(Dymel 152) and the expensive non flammable stuff is 1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane(R-134a). The latter is exact same thing as the refrigerant in modern automotive A/C and refrigerators. At one point "canned duster" was based on pure Freon 12.


I have about 12 cans that I stocked up when it was $2.99/2 on sale. They later had it on sale for $1.99/2 once. I wish I stocked up on more. Its usually quite expensive, something like $4 each, but first paragraph pretty much sums up why it isn't so cheap eh?

For big clean up, I take the computer outside and blow it with my yard blower. It beats vacuum since the nozzle doesn't have to make contact with anything to blow out dust. You'd be amazed how much dust woosh out when you do this.

 

[hovenas]

Here's what I do...
Mark1 mouth, shaped like a funnel and cleansed of excessive salivae.
Get it outside and apply as much air as prefered, works everytime!

(I know someone is going to point out that this could be dangerous blah, blah, blah)

 

[Blayze]

I usually use compressed air to clean out my PCs

 

[MichaelD]

Hmm. *Shrugs* I have an upright vacuum, with a plastic extension hose, with a plastic "furniture brush" w/bristles that I vacuum my case and components with.

I actually physically touch all my cards, the mobo and the fans with the brush. VERY lightly vacuum the memory as well. I've never had a problem.

I'm very gentle and careful w/this process. i do it while seated and very carefully vacuum the components. The bristles touch just enough to un-anchor the dust and the vacuum sucks it up. **More Shrugs** no probs, clean case.

 

[Mavrick007]

When I worked at a computer store, we had an air compressor in the basement just for that purpose and it worked great. Make sure to let it sit for awhile before using it just in case there was some water inside or test it on your hand first to see.

 

[MWink]

<< I was going to use it to clean my ps, mobo, and other components but I saw that it has a chemical in it. Is it safe for the mobo and etc? >>



Yes it's safe for the computer. Is it safe for you... That may be another story.