How to clean Smoke and Grim off Computer parts????

[jcovercash]

I need to clean smoke and dirt/grime off a motherboard that a freind has that was given to me.....

Its really bad and smells even worse. What can I use to clean it that want harm any parts.

I have to clean almost every part of the MB CPU and Video card etc....

What can I use that isnt harmful and want hurt the Parts.

Thanks,
Josh

CAN I USE DENATURE ALCHOL WHITOUT IT HARMING IT??? Like spray it on and then let it dry rally good

 

[rgwalt]

DCM, though you won't find it retail.

You could also try denatured alcohol.

Ryan

 

[yoda291]

well, I know you can use rubbing alcohol on the cpu so long as you wipe off the residue with a slightly damp cloth and let it dry completely...it's how you get thermal compound off. I imagine you could repeat with the rest of the machinery if it's really a caked on grimey mess. if it's just dust, canned air usually works(if you can resist the urge to shoot it around needlessly ). Heck, I'm suprised a computer as dirty as that sounds even functions. I imagine it should have developed a short at some point or overheated or something.

Edit, I'm not 100% sure it was rubbing alcohol I used. most machines I build usually keep the same cpu mobo config.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: yoda291
well, I know you can use rubbing alcohol on the cpu so long as you wipe off the residue with a slightly damp cloth and let it dry completely...it's how you get thermal compound off. I imagine you could repeat with the rest of the machinery if it's really a caked on grimey mess. if it's just dust, canned air usually works(if you can resist the urge to shoot it around needlessly ). Heck, I'm suprised a computer as dirty as that sounds even functions. I imagine it should have developed a short at some point or overheated or something.

Edit, I'm not 100% sure it was rubbing alcohol I used. most machines I build usually keep the same cpu mobo config.

Well it reeks of cigarette smoke, and i cant stand it and neither can my freind, the fan doesnt have just dust on it, it has caked up grime........

Its really in bad shape, im disapointed in the condition its in....
I will have make sure to ask people if there stuff is in horrible condition even though i asked for new stuff....
:|

 

[Harvey]

Windex will clean a lot of the surface areas. To avoid getting moisture into the electronics, instead of spraying it on the computer, moisten a paper towel and wipe the surfaces. You can also spray some into a toothbrush to get into hard to reach areas and to clean textured surfaces.

Don't use it on your monitor screen. It will strip off the anti-glare coating.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: Harvey
Windex will clean a lot of the surface areas. To avoid getting moisture into the electronics, instead of spraying it on the computer, moisten a paper towel and wipe the surfaces. You can also spray some into a toothbrush to get into hard to reach areas and to clean textured surfaces.

Don't use it on your monitor screen. It will strip off the anti-glare coating.

Ok thanks, Ill try that.....

anything else that will clean the smell and dirt also?

Josh

 

[Nohr]

I'd take some time to go over it with qtips dipped lightly in rubbing alcohol.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: Nohr
I'd take some time to go over it with qtips dipped lightly in rubbing alcohol.

LMAO ive been asking my mom to get q-tips for 2 weeks lol...... so thats not gonna happen today

 

[Smaulz]

Go pick up a can of electronics cleaner. Radio Shaft has it. Just hose it down and let it dry. The stuff works GREAT.

 

[tcsenter]

You can try spraying some of that Febreze stuff on it, too. Then put it in front of a fan for an hour or two to dry. Smoke really sticks to everything. Unless you scrub the motherboard, which is a little risky, it will probably smell like smoke forever. But you can get it to a point where you don't notice it unless your nose is really close to the motherboard.

 

[Mallow]

Take some perfume and dab it on solid metal parts?

 

[Harvey]

Glass cleaner (Windex, etc.) is amonia based. It will remove a lot of the odor, as well as the grime. Just be careful not to use it on any surface that will be damaged by it. Read the label.

 

[RayH]

Originally posted by: Smaulz
Go pick up a can of electronics cleaner. Radio Shaft has it. Just hose it down and let it dry. The stuff works GREAT.

Evaporative chemical cleaners are your best bet. Local as above or someplace like Parts Express.

Just use canned air or a vacumn with brush attachment first to get the major dust off.
You may also want to do this outdoors.

 

[jcovercash]

Can i just spray some denatured alcohol on the whole motherboard??/ and let it set in front of a fan for a while???

thanks,
Josh

 

[RayH]

Originally posted by: AMDman12GHz
Can i just spray some denatured alcohol on the whole motherboard??/ and let it set in front of a fan for a while???

The cleaners using HCFC's should work alot better than alcohol.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: RayH

Originally posted by: AMDman12GHz
Can i just spray some denatured alcohol on the whole motherboard??/ and let it set in front of a fan for a while???

The cleaners using HCFC's should work alot better than alcohol.

But i dont have access to them and need to do this today..... Will denature alcohol hurt my motherboard?

Josh

 

[jcovercash]

please help me i need to find out asap

 

[MrPabulum]

^^^

 

[jcovercash]

 

[PG]

Haven't some people put parts through the dishwasher? I thought I read that a few times here.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: PG
Haven't some people put parts through the dishwasher? I thought I read that a few times here.

:Q

 

[Zugzwang152]

damn he found a mobo....there goes my FS/FT sale *snaps his fingers*



good luck with that hehehe.