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How do you keep your fans clean and running smooth?

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Since there was a bit of talk about how we keep our fans running smooth in another thread and there had been some various solutions and products used I thought I would start a thread to see what us TPU members personally use when our fans get dirty, sluggish and noisy.

Anyone who wants to add what they use to the thread is more than welcome.

Here's what I use:-

I use a relatively coarse brush to get most of the loose dust off before I drench the fan blades and bearings with the CRC 5.56 and leave it to set into the rest of the crap left for a couple of minutes.
After this I'll get some tissues and clean off the fan before repeating.
Once the fan has dried out for the most part I add sewing machine oil to the bearing and spin the fan.
Just not too much to the point where sewing machine oil will be sprayed on to the inside of the case.
 

fullinfusion

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I just use Noctua fans and that eliminates 99.9% of bearing noise and I use a damp micro cloth to clean the blades :D

:pimp:
 
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I use a brush that was meant for spreading steak sauce or something :laugh:
 
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^^ This is something I have noticed which I thought would make this thread interesting.
People use unconventional tools for cleaning their PCs.

To add to Kevinheraiz basting brush, Hellrazor uses cooking oil to lubricate his fan bearings.

My Brother uses a makeup blusher brush to clean his fans.
 
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yeah just use brush to clean the dust and make sure the air filter works
as add on i add some drop motor oil to lubricate it
so far castrol motor oil workswell for me
 
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i just wipe em down once a month or so
never really had any problems with broke fans either ,had some loud ones on old cases like nzxt tempest but that was due to grill ontop catching
 
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I vacuum out my radiator and use q-tips to clean any lint covering the surface in the corners and once a few weeks blow it out backwards with compressed air and vacuum that up. I used to use a old toothbrush, but it caused a few bent fins on the radiator.
 

calfcramp

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I use a kirby vaccum with 2 horse power suction and suck up all the dust and lint.Makes it look new actually.

Craig
 

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I use 3 in 1 oil to oil the bearings:



I usually just use my air compressor to blow off most of the dust, then wipe them down with a damp paper towel.
 

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I don't wipe anything. I just blow everything off with air. And I actually haven't had to oil any of my fans in years.
 

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i use a cotton bud (aka Q-tip) to hold the fan blades in place, then an air compressor to blow out the dust. any leftovers (usually compacted dust on the edge of the blades) the cotton buds take care of.


i've never oiled a single fan in my computers, nor needed to - i tested it years ago on a rattly fan and it stopped the noise problems, but it just kept needing it done more and more and more... its not worth the effort.
 

fullinfusion

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I don't wipe anything. I just blow everything off with air. And I actually haven't had to oil any of my fans in years.
Wile E you dont need to wipe!!! Your to cool to clean lol!!!

I used to smoke in the clocking room but not no more!

I cant believe the difference!
 
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I drench the fan blades and bearings with the CRC 5.56...

You oil the blades? Keep them clean to prevent dirt from sticking. 3in1 works well but I use automotive 20w50 synthetic motor oil on my fan bearings. If you use an air compressor to blow off the dust, hold the blades still. Don't let them spin up or you risk blowing the fan's drive circuit. Since the motors are PM-BLDC based, they generate a voltage when spun. I've killed them before doing so and also blew out the LEDs. -doh-

$.02 :toast:
 

fullinfusion

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You oil the blades? Keep them clean to prevent dirt from sticking. 3in1 works well but I use automotive 20w50 synthetic motor oil on my fan bearings. If you use an air compressor to blow off the dust, hold the blades still. Don't let them spin up or you risk blowing the fan's drive circuit. Since the motors are PM-BLDC based, they generate a voltage when spun. I've killed them before doing so and also blew out the LEDs. -doh-

$.02 :toast:
OIL MAKES DUST STICK lol

A great fan don't need oil, but a slight dusting :D
 
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OIL MAKES DUST STICK lol

A great fan don't need oil, but a slight dusting :D

yeah but i prefer standard and generic fan since its kinda cheap and easy to find
 
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i use a cotton bud (aka Q-tip) to hold the fan blades in place, then an air compressor to blow out the dust. any leftovers (usually compacted dust on the edge of the blades) the cotton buds take care of.


i've never oiled a single fan in my computers, nor needed to - i tested it years ago on a rattly fan and it stopped the noise problems, but it just kept needing it done more and more and more... its not worth the effort.

:laugh: so do i ,seems q-tips get used alot ,i use a little aftershave on the tougher dust

did this on my old agp 3850 (first time i've taken the heatsink off a graphics card :eek: )
the heatsink had actually started to go rusty :wtf::eek: so said q-tips were used to move some of it ,

i also used a paint brush on it, quite effective :D

as for keeping them running smooth hm scratchin chin.gif well i've only changed out the brass bearing on 2 of my fans, as they were'nt working right (noisy rattling) now they were easy to remove (both were 8 cm versions ,

i wouldn't mind changing the brass ones out in my cm690II cases fans, but i can't see that being easy to do, as them brass bearings are often to tight to remove :(

i tried to remove the brass piece out of some dead 12 cm fans but couldn't (ended up breaking the housing :cry:

:ohwell: i'm sure someone here knows how to remove the damned things without busting them :D

oh and i've not used oil on any, just grease and that was on some old nidec beta v fans that were used in my window ;)
 

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I give praise to the fan gods that they'll spare my slaves from fulfilling their duty! I think I only had two casualties so far (they obviously didn't receive the blessing) so it must be working! :D
 
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I use a relatively coarse brush to get most of the loose dust off before I drench the fan blades and bearings with the CRC 5.56 and leave it to set into the rest of the crap left for a couple of minutes.

5-56 actually contains moisture, it's not good for long term protection. We've got TONS of rusted out tools down at the yard from people using 5-56. I strongly recommend you use 6-66 instead.
 
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i wouldn't mind changing the brass ones out in my cm690II cases fans, but i can't see that being easy to do, as them brass bearings are often to tight to remove :(

Push them out with a hot soldering iron tip. It softens the plastic/glue holding them in.
 
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I just buy new ones if there making noise. Otherwise wipe them down
 
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I just buy new ones if there making noise. Otherwise wipe them down

I bought a Thermaltake Xaser II 6000 back in 2003 and it has the original fans thanks to some oiling. :D But I guess if you have the cash to blow it's easier to buy new fans every year then feed a foreign child or help the needy. :slap:
 
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