Can't get rid of the bunnies...

[Black Panther]

I clean up my rig like every 3 weeks with a can of compressed air. I use it all up. Now I built it last year, for the first 3 months or so I cleaned it efficiently.

Then, like 8 months later there's a layer of dust which is unremovable. I've touched some pcb's myself and I see that I can wipe the dirt off into dust bunnies with my fingers but I can't just finger-rub everything, and no matter how hard or how close I spray with the can it just won't remove. Since then I've even tried cleaning up every week but the layer of dust is still too stubborn to remove.

I suspect that since in my country we've got high humidity (it's a small island surrounded by sea) the same humidity causes the dust to cake over and hence be unremovable with normal spraying.

Any ideas as to what I can do? I manage to clean up the zalman cpu cooler with a small paint brush, it's very efficient much more than spraying with air, but obviously I wouldn't be daring brushing pcb's with a nylon paintbrush due to possible static damage!

[hat]

If you are really dedicated to doing this... you can remove everything and spill some 91% isopropyl alcohol over everything.

[GJSNeptune]

And invest in some intake filters. Dryer sheets, panty hose, or FilterRight filters.

For the humidity, maybe invest in a dehumidifier for your computer room?

[panchoman]

what i do is i take a soft and fat paintbrush and just brush the whole system. this removes all of the dust, including the dust that you would've gotten on your finger after touching the pcbs after compressed air. and if its like uber dirty, just take everything out and clean each thing throughly (either high purity iso alcohol or paintbrush method, you're choice as to how uber clean) and wash the case out.

i find the paintbrush method is much better then compressed air.

[GJSNeptune]

I like to use compressed air alongside a vacuum cleaner hose.

[Kreij]

Two words .... Pressure Washer.

Please unplug it first.

[MadCow]

I use canned air usually, but once I took an air compressor and blew out dust with that. A compressor works a million times better than canned air.

[spearman914]

Just let your dog poop and put it outside, Bunnies have very sensible noses

[Kreij]

I always use a 100psi line at work to blow out the computers.
Just make sure that when you go to clean off a fan, that you prevent it from spinning.
Otherwise, it will spin at about 4 Jillion RPM and explode into pieces.
Yes, I've done that, No, I don't have pictures

[intel igent]

for the stubborn stuff i use a combo of comp. air/paintbrush/vacuum all at the same time, can be a little tricky but it works

[Black Panther]

Lol lately I've been covering up 2/3 of the 120mm intake fan with a piece of kitchen roll paper (talk about ghetto stuff!). It appears to work well and puts no strain on the fan. Sure I can just unplug the front intake fan but I wouldn't feel like having to plug it every time I decide to game.

I've been tempted to use the air compressor but refrained for fear of doing damage. I guess that I've been over-wary and should try the compressor keeping the nozzle at a good distance.

Also, wouldn't brushing the pcb's with a paintbrush induce static?

[intel igent]

when i say comp. air i simply mean compressed air, it doesnt have to come from an air compressor an air can is fine. it is a good idea not to get too close if you use an air compressor cuz its got some serious oomph.

whenever i dust i power down my PC and make shure i drain the caps in the PSU (pull the plug and press the power button) this way no chance for static zap

[DaMulta]

Originally Posted by Black Panther

Lol lately I've been covering up 2/3 of the 120mm intake fan with a piece of kitchen roll paper (talk about ghetto stuff!). It appears to work well and puts no strain on the fan. Sure I can just unplug the front intake fan but I wouldn't feel like having to plug it every time I decide to game.

I've been tempted to use the air compressor but refrained for fear of doing damage. I guess that I've been over-wary and should try the compressor keeping the nozzle at a good distance.

Also, wouldn't brushing the pcb's with a paintbrush induce static?

Been using air compressors for years!!!!Never seen a problem with it.

Make those fans ultra spin lol



What you need to do is find some filters. Fish tank filters should work as well. Place them on your intank and just wash them out everyother week. This should help most of your dust out of your pc.

[niko084]

Originally Posted by DaMulta

Been using air compressors for years!!!!Never seen a problem with it.

Make those fans ultra spin lol



What you need to do is find some filters. Fish tank filters should work as well. Place them on your intank and just wash them out everyother week. This should help most of your dust out of your pc.

Ditto, key to using an air compressor is to make sure you don't get any oil spray in the lines or moisture spray.

And ZING go the fans!