Hardware Cleaning Question(s)

[Tazman]

Hey all!

I pulled my heatsink yesterday to replace it with a TT Volcano I have to lap yet.

I noticed how dusty / dirty it was inside and I just blew it out thoroughly a month or so ago .

So I decided to completely disassemble the system and clean each component.

My question, besides air, what would be a good way to clean off the motherboard and expansion cards? I'm kinda leaning 90% alchohol and Q-tips. Anyone see a problem with this?

Also, any other suggestions that would speed the cleaning process up faster than the Q-tip trick would be helpful.

BTW, I have already ruled out the sulfuric acid dip and the garden hose .

TIA

Mike

[thekingofpain]

Electrical contact cleaner, I use "Electrosolve" brand---no residue, non conductive, cleans and is also a de-greaser, wont melt plastic and has a variable control nozzle so you dont waste it---its about 6$ for a 12oz can which lasts quite awhile...

[JayMan]

I've always used isopropynol when cleaning any of my componants.... (works get 100% isopropynol... so i "borrow" that... hehe), cleans good, quick to evaporate leaving no residue...

JayMan

[JPMiller]

I use iso alc. as well and a small parts brush or paintbrush

[Tazman]

KOP - where would I buy the Electrosolve (new name I haven't come across)?

JayMan, JPMiller, yep, that's the rout I was going. I just dread spending all that time with a Q-tip call me lazy. I spent a good hour yesterday pulling apart a CoolMaster HCC-001 heatsink and cleaning it that way. I'm dreading doing a whole computer like that.

It's amazing how much dust can come in the room in a few months. I'm gonna take some shots and post them of my intake filter - about 1/4th". That and having the windows open during pollen season probably didn't help. I won't mention smoking.

Mike

[Idigguns]

I've always heard Iso. Alcohol too. But let me tell you what happened to a guy at work. He was trying to clean up a circuit board to send back on warranty. He used Iso. Alc. and it melted the coating on top of the board! There goes $1500 down the drain! Of course, that was a circuit board out of a chiller, not a mobo. Still, I don't know if I'd want to take the chance!

[Tazman]

Idigguns - I think I'll try a lower solution of alcohol (Rumplemintz @ 100% ) of the sort of around 50%. That is my worry is to use too strong of a solution that may take a protective coating off. I always do TWICE the recommended amount and always loose in the end.

BTW, JP, I like the paintbrush idea - beats Q-tips - and resusable!

Mike