'Deep cleaning' computer components

Uplift

Hey,

I've inheritted a few PC components from a family member, some fairly decent kit but i've noticed the parts have a slight musky smell and they're also quite dusty, i've removed the light dust but some areas such as the fans need a really good clean.

Any recommendations on how to give these parts a good clean? are there any decent kits or safe liquid based solutions that do the job? or is it just a case of going at it with cotton swobs and a bit of water?

In some cases there is a thick build up of dust that needs to be scraped rather than brushed away, particularly on the fans, the CPU is covered in thermal paste, this needs removing and new paste applying.

Thanks

brunation

Isopropyl alcohol.

Uplift

Perfect thanks, will grab a bottle from Amazon.

Darren Heal

Blow them down with compressed air from a can (keyboard air duster) or give them a light vacuum first.

RBZ5416

Unless they were owned by a smoker then a brush should be sufficient, you may just need a stiffer one (Ooh err missus!). Try a 1" paintbrush & if need be, cut the length of the bristles down in increments until you get what you need.

Liftplus

Dry brush them first, clean parts like fans with Isopropyl alcohol. When handling open electrical parts watch out to not touch them with your skin and look out for static electricity discharges.

supermuchurios

£LAND usually sell little cans of compressed air which come in handy for blasting parts before cleaning.

12harry

You need to perform any cleaning in the open, so you aren't breathing-in the dust/vapours. A job for a nice day in the garden with a light-wind, and you are up-wind.
I've had a similar issue with a gifted-PC and the fans are quite difficult to clean, having grilles - so it may be necessary to remove them if it's easy. Take a photo beforehand, so you know where everything goes - mark cables before detaching - and have regards to static discharge as mention earlier.
Once cleaned it will pick up your own room-smells, so then-on you won't notice it.

Of course if you remove the heat-sink ( for very thorough cleaning ), then you will need to re-seat the heatsink to the CPU. Bit try not to remove the CPU as the pins are very delicate.
Beware that any compressed air can create static - so it's probably best to use it away from electronics.

As an alternative,  leave the PC running for a few days indoors - so any smells are discharged - this may be enough - and a whole lot easier.

Good luck.

ChrisKz

I use my small compressor . and I always use make up brushes ( on the pc , not me .. lol) they are soft enough to shift the dust and not bend break small components . Just out of interest ,. dont have the pc near the floor

12harry

ChrisKz....agree floor-mounting is not ideal,  - but I'm not keen on the idea of a compressor ( unless quite small?) as this could spread the dust about the room,  where it can be breathed. IMHO far better to use a modern domestic vacuum cleaner with one of those furniture-hose attachments.... ( AND I recall seeing a Vacuum hose adaptor for cleaning keyboards ! ).

Of course as far as fans go.... maybe a new fan is a simple solution?  Being quite cheap; Plus a new one "should" be quieter and last, and last. Etc.

Cheers.