Best way to clean copper fins of heatsink?

Black Panther · Feb 9, 2010

The copper fins of my cpu cooler are dirty and blowing them with air is not enough.

They need to be rubbed - if I do it with thumb and finger that part becomes shiny again but it's not practical because the fins are too tight together.

How do you suggest I clean them?
Thanks.

Here's a reference pic:

pantherx12 · Feb 9, 2010

Could always buy some distilled water and bath it

Black Panther · Feb 9, 2010

Obviously after removing the fan...

(Ops just realised the one in the picture doesn't have a fan!)

ste2425 · Feb 9, 2010

maybe something like a pipe cleaner things or get a cloth and run it through the fins?

KainXS · Feb 9, 2010

try a paintbrush

kyle2020 · Feb 9, 2010

compressed air to remove large dust deposits, warm water bath with some vigorous shaking under water (kinda like how you shake your razor under water whilst shaving to remove cream and hair if you get me). Jobs a pidgeon.

sweeper · Feb 9, 2010

I pulled my Zalman cooler off, took it apart (fan out) and washed it with a toothbrush and soap/water. Rinsed in cool water and dried with Hair Dryer. Looked brand new after I put it all together and installed it.

Kantastic · Feb 9, 2010

Wet a paper towel and wrap it around a business card, then just sweep between the fins like you're chopping something.

Mussels · Feb 9, 2010

compressed air. Follow up with a paint brush if needed.

InTeL-iNsIdE · Feb 9, 2010

Man I really need to do this but loathe taking my scythe mugen II out :banghead:

Tried compressed air and it was crap tbh, the lore you use it, the more pressure it loses, may aswell just blow on the damn thing :rolleyes:

Paint brush seems like a good idea, may try that later tonight myself :toast:

pantherx12 · Feb 9, 2010

Paint brushes do work great, I use them when cleaning most things in my rig.

Distilled water is what I use for deep fins like that though, brushes just won't get rid of it all.

Reefer86 · Feb 9, 2010

yep i use paint brushes! the way forward for cleaning a pc if u ask me.

MohawkAngel · Feb 9, 2010

if everything is removed i put Hertel or any other storng cleaner i let it there for 15 minutes then i open full load the hot water of bath and pass it under.....like new !

Polarman · Feb 9, 2010

Use a fuzzy pipe cleaner!

Fourstaff · Feb 9, 2010

Vacuum cleaner, although you might want to remove the cooler first. Dunking it in distilled water and brushing it is also highly recommended.

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Best way to clean copper fins of heatsink?

Black Panther

pantherx12

Black Panther

ste2425

KainXS

kyle2020

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sweeper

New Member

Kantastic

Mussels

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InTeL-iNsIdE

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pantherx12

Reefer86

MohawkAngel

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Polarman

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Fourstaff

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