If 91% rubbing alchol is safe for electronics can I soak my motherboard in it overnig

[holden j caufield]

does 91% or 99% matter my cvs store only carries 70 or 91%

 

[SKORPI0]

From Feb 2006-->Cleaning Motherboards - ATTN SMOKERS!!

 

[ronbo613]

We clean PCBs with alcohol and brushes all the time. I prefer to remove heatsinks and replace them with new thermal compound, but we don't do that in every case.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yes, I still smoke. But habits may change over time, when you decide to turn your domicile into a rental property as opposed to selling it. I had to call in a specialist who cleans vents and ducts -- about $500. You may get used to the color of your wall-paint as a smoker, and think the paint is still "good." Try rubbing a patch of wall with a mild cleanser -- you'll see. $1,000 or more for a paint job.

Since your computer itself is an "air filter," what's wrong with taking your cancer-sticks outside on the patio? After all, part of the cancer risk comes from "second-hand" smoke, which gets inhaled several times when no cigarettes, pipes or stogies are burning.

Does the delay of Windows Update make you nervous, impatient -- eager to light up? Wait for it outdoors, I say.

As for the "risk," cancer, if detected too late, is swift. The preponderantly bigger risk is COPD and heart-attack. a 3-month prescription of Spiriva may cost you the equivalent of two upper-tier motherboards.

It's my view that this "smoker's motherboard" problem might have been avoided. The links for cleaning, are instructive, but that's a lot of trouble. While smoke residue is "not good" for PCBs, I'd focus my attention on the gold PCI-E and RAM contacts. If you see anything else the electronics cleaning fluid might benefit, make it a "target of opportunity."

 

[mfenn]

does 91% or 99% matter my cvs store only carries 70 or 91%

The purer the better. The other 9% in 91% alcohol is water, which takes longer to evaporate. 70% is 30% water, which will take quite a while to evap.

There's nothing wrong with it per se, but one of the big benefits of using alcohol is that it evaporates quickly so that you don't have to worry about waiting for things to dry out.

 

[Blain]

If you have plenty of time for the MB to dry out, soak it overnight in distilled water.

 

[Crono]

If you have plenty of time for the MB to dry out, soak it overnight in distilled water.

Don't you mean deionized water?

 

[Blain]

Don't you mean deionized water?

for his purposes, no.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Only place I've found 99% isopropanol was the jobbers' electronics warehouse store on the other side of town -- the industrial zone.

I was using 70% from the COSTCO pharmacy. For my purposes, it dried quickly enough.

But I've since found a 91% formulation at Rite-Aid. You really have to compare the cost of a pint or two from Rite-Aid against a small 6 to 8 oz. bottle of the 99% for at least the same price . . . or more. For me, I don't have to drive through the center of town so often.

 

[MongGrel]

A Stam eGo CE5 Clearomizer costs $4.00. The hit you get off that thing is amazing. Such technology was unheard of even just 2 years ago. You can get a 3 pack of eGo batteries for $30. So you can basically get a year's supply of vaping hardware for under $50. Maybe $60 or $70 if you vape a lot. And then maybe 50 cents a day for the eliquid. I jsut dont get why people smoke cigarettes at all. Why the heck would anyone want to pay upwards of $70 frickin dollars a week (up to $3500 a year) to smoke something that tastes like crap? I can understand being addicted to nicotine. But cigarette smokers today are addicted to stupidity. Get rid of the cigarette smoke and you wont have to worry about the nasty coating on your hardware.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2387652&highlight=

Probably because some people have been smoking them for decades.

Used to work 99% Alcohol at work for cleaning some things, it is pretty much industrial grade.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Shocking what second hand smoke can do.

I think we should pass a law banning smoking near electronics.

 

[cholley]

you will break down the conformal coating, and alcohol will likely seep into the caps.

i remember throwing customers PC's on the test bench and powering them up, eyes start burning because the computer has black lung.

clean the contacts only, put that thing outside and let it air out, then take it to the landfill and burn it

 

[sm625]

lol I realized this thread was necro'd only after seeing my old comment about a 3 pack of eGo batteries for $30. They are only $4 apiece now, and the new $3 Micro Core RDC is way more advanced than what I was touting 2 years ago.

 

[manderson]

sounds like more work than its worth. who cares if the mobo has some cigarette resin/smell to it. Not like she's gonna eat it or smoke it

Agree. And the smell will dissipate. It's called molecular diffusion.

 

[bryanl]

does 91% or 99% matter my cvs store only carries 70 or 91%

91% or 99% doesn't matter for this purpose.

 

[wiretap]

I use DuPont Freon TF. It was originally made for cleaning circuit boards back in the 80's and early 90's. You just spray it on holding the motherboard upright, and all the dirt/dust/oils/grime just drips right off. It takes about 30 seconds per side. I've never encountered anything that works better. I've cleaned some people's motherboards who smoked, and it completely got rid of the residue and made it looks brand new like it just came out of the box. It can be pretty hard to find though since it has been banned by the EPA.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Soak and water works, of course don't have it powered on during cleaning!

 

[TuSpockShakur]

G3 Contact Cleaner

 

[bryanl]

You may want to consult this chemical compatibility table:

http://www.geotechenv.com/Reference_Pages/chemical_compatibility_table.pdf

I would be concerned of the elasomers since capacitors, both solid poly and wet electrolytic, have rubber plugs on their bottoms, which the table indicates may be affected by isopropyl alcohol.

An electronics spray cleaner or flux remover (Flux Off) may be more effective at removing cigarette products and not require prolonged soaking. Look for something rated as safe for all plastics.

I would be hesitant to brush the boards, at least when they're dry, since brushing generates static electricity, and dry or wet, bristles can snag tiny surface mount components and tear them off, without notice.

 

[TylerHartman]

and toothpaste

1up :d

 

[DigDog]

A Stam eGo CE5 Clearomizer costs $4.00. The hit you get off that thing is amazing. Such technology was unheard of even just 2 years ago. You can get a 3 pack of eGo batteries for $30. So you can basically get a year's supply of vaping hardware for under $50. Maybe $60 or $70 if you vape a lot. And then maybe 50 cents a day for the eliquid. I jsut dont get why people smoke cigarettes at all. Why the heck would anyone want to pay upwards of $70 frickin dollars a week (up to $3500 a year) to smoke something that tastes like crap? I can understand being addicted to nicotine. But cigarette smokers today are addicted to stupidity. Get rid of the cigarette smoke and you wont have to worry about the nasty coating on your hardware.

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[burninatortech4]

I use DuPont Freon TF. It was originally made for cleaning circuit boards back in the 80's and early 90's. You just spray it on holding the motherboard upright, and all the dirt/dust/oils/grime just drips right off. It takes about 30 seconds per side. I've never encountered anything that works better. I've cleaned some people's motherboards who smoked, and it completely got rid of the residue and made it looks brand new like it just came out of the box. It can be pretty hard to find though since it has been banned by the EPA.

Banned by the EPA for very good reasons.

 

[Bearmann]

I would just attach a rear view mirror to the top inside of the computer case and hang one of those cardboard scented fir trees from it.

 

[Blue_Max]

I know what you mean about the smell, but a board shouldn't be completely soaked for even a short time, let alone for hours! Many components could be damaged from such a soak.

I second the suggestion of GENTLY scrubbing it with a toothbrush & alcohol.

Smell really comes from that dark yellow, gummy dust that accumulates in fans, etc. Concentrate your cleaning in those, or even replace the fans & heatsink entirely (pretty cheap to do.)

 

[bryanl]

We clean PCBs with alcohol and brushes all the time.

Some people are careless and let brush bristles snag tiny surface components and tear them off the board.