dusting...

[rodrigu3]

Hey folks just wanted to spread my frustration with trying to clean up a 2 year-old case that has never been dusted. It's disgusting and really difficult now that the dust has gotten into just about every nook and cranny. Have to use Q-tips to get to all the little crevices.

Well, I learned my lesson - clean your stuff regularly!

On a good note, my new parts will have a nice shiny home to live in.

 

[zagood]

Yeah, with machines like that compressed air can only do so much. Crack open a few beers and have at it.

-z

 

[0roo0roo]

have a vacumn running while you clean it.. makes it easier. don't use brush or touch plastic hose attachments to electronics obviously.

but yea non computer people just never clean their pc's, i've seen half inch layers of dust on some vents and stuff, disgusting. esp when dust gets mixed with pet hair and all that good stuff.

 

[lxskllr]

I blow mine out quarterly. I don't clean out every little bit of dust, but I make sure the fans and heatsinks are done well.

 

[rodrigu3]

I had to buy a new set of fans all my other fans had a ton of dust inside the motor that I just couldn't get to. Well, I wasn't going to be building it till Monday anyway so at least since I have time to lap my heatsink and IHS.

 

[Zepper]

I use our vacuum cleaner and a 1.5 to 2" natural bristle paint brush to clean my cases out. I use an anti-static brush to get stuff off the mobo and cards. Staples use to carry them but I haven't seen them lately. If you can find the Dirt Devil cleaning attachment set for computers etc., that works well for getting into the tight areas.

Lately I've been swapping cases frequently so there's little chance for a great build up of dust, but the house is old and leaky so we have plenty of the stuff. If you really want to keep your case clean, set up a positive pressure cooling arrangement with filter(s) on the intake fan(s).

.bh.

 

[rodrigu3]

If you really want to keep your case clean, set up a positive pressure cooling arrangement with filter(s) on the intake fan(s).

I was thinking about that, but I only have 80mm fans that don't push that much air. I'm not sure if I'm willing to sacrifice air flow for not cleaning more often.

 

[corkyg]

Follow Zepper's advice and you won't be wrong. Avoid blowing dust around - all it does is fly into the air and it has to settle again somewhere. It is sort of like sweeping dirt under the rug. I use a vacuum hose with attachments from a kit just like this:

Kit

Tools

 

[Zepper]

Corky's links look just like the Dirt Devil kit I have. They must have licensed the Dirt Devil name for retail sales.

.bh.

 

[rodrigu3]

looks good, I think I'll get it

does it only fit dirt devil vacuums or most?

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: rodrigu3
looks good, I think I'll get it

does it only fit dirt devil vacuums or most?

with duct tape, it'll fit ANYTHING

 

[Zepper]

It has adapters to fit most vacuum cleaner hoses.

.bh.

 

[DaveBC]

I have acrylic case on my desk. Looks bad if I let it go for too long.