Any other ESD safe ways of cleaning your PC besides compressed air?

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warhead0
Used an air compressor many many times, I've never had a problem with them. some people might tell you they are risky to use. I don't believe them.
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warhead0

warhead0

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The thing people warn about is getting 'too close' to the components and you blow a piece of your motherboard away or some crap. it's never happened to me or anyone I know. so I doubt very much it would happen to you.

No risk of ESD that I've ever seen.
 
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G

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Most likely there would be no chance if you pop off some parts on a motherboard with any type of air, whether it'd be an air compressor, compressed air, etc... Is the whole ESD thing so hyped?
 
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warhead0

warhead0

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ESD is a little over hyped, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

I've worked on parts in less than ideal conditions, I have never have broken any hardware with ESD. EVER. even with my less than recommended practices of working on parts.
 
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G

Guest

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Well, I have heard a lot of things that vacuums generate ESD & so I decided to move away from using a vacuum. I used to use an Oreck XL handheld vacuum on the "suck" mode & get the dust out that way.
What do you think about the Metro Vac ED500?
 
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galeener

galeener

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The issue with just using a line from a standard aircompressor like a shop version with an airflow control is it may have moisture in it you can get filters and water seperators for them though., This is mostly the reason you don't see people just using a compressor.
 
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G

Guest

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That type of air compressor was not what I meant. I mean the ones that are small tanks & has the nozzle connected to them. Then what alternatives do you recommend that are safe to use? Leaf blower? (XD Overkill), vacuums that are meant for computers?
 
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galeener

galeener

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I use one that is for an air brush. I have also used a small pancake one for cleaning out stuff its kept inside and has a filter and a seperator on it.
You should be ok with the small ones just make sure they havn't set out overnight with the tank full as they will draw moisture.
I didn't figure you meant a large shop size one but hey you never know.
There are vacuums made for pc usage you can find them online usually the attachements they have are esd coated meaning anti static coated. I like using the one I have for my airbrush as i have several attachements and can get into some tight places and the flow is adjustable you can find them on amazon and placed for 60-acouple hundred dollars. i think mine was 189 with all the airbrushes I bought it as a kit you can probably just find the compressor though.
 
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bailojustin

bailojustin

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The best I have found for cleaning old computers and getting rid of dust that's been set for years is using a high suction vaccum with soft brush tips. this enable you to slightly scrub and get free any dust while sucking everything off of it, then using a air compressor for the hard to reach areas.
 
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If most people use compressed air, then how come it's safe to use? Does it just generate ESD safe air? Also, I have heard of people cleaning PCs with leaf blowers.
 
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bailojustin

bailojustin

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Compressed air cans are not what they are stated. Compressed air in cans is usually "Compressed Gas" Its a mixture of a variation of highly compressed gases into a liquid form, when sprayed the liquid undergoes a phase change and turns back into a gas.

It is used from residential to industrial applications for cleaning and dusting of electrical components that cannot be cleaned by water. The gases are not conductive and will not damage electrical components unless used incorrectly, such as holding the can upside down so a majority of what is released is liquid form of the gases before it has the chance to change to a gas.

Compressed gas is safe to use, as is a lot of other methods. I highly recommend non contact methods though, such as compressed air or non contact vacuums unless they are resistant to static buildup.

Also be 100% sure whenever cleaning any electrical component that it does not have power to it, this will greatly increases the chances of a mishap or a problem with static.

for example most don't know that you can put a keyboard into a dishwasher as long as it is a regular and not fancy keyboard, and you give it sufficient time to properly dry. as this has no real components affected by water other than the PCB board, which is fine if it is given sufficient time to dry.

People cleaning computers with leaf blowers, that's overboard, unless you have a way of getting an accurate stream or jet of air to where you need it to, then your just blowing air on your PC.
 
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G

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So does that mean I could use other methods such as an air compressor, or vacuum & I'd be fine? I might just buy that Metro Vac ED500 as an alternative.
 
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cst1992

cst1992

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That's wrong. The reason they recommend against it is that at the bottom of the can there is liquid. Sometimes people tilt the container too much causing the liquid to spray out, which can be risky for the components.
 
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warhead0

warhead0

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I'm not talking about using a can of air. never was.
 
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G

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Yes, there is. I might worry about spending more money on compressed air cans. For what I do, it's not just a simple cleaning on my PC once a year, I collect computers as well, old ones & new, as well as cleaning my PC & for the fact that I get a lot of dust in them makes me realize that I don't think spending money on compressed air might be a good investment.
 
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G

Guest

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That's true. What are some other official methods than just compressed air that are safe? This is controversial here.
 
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Pondering

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I use a cotton swabs dipped in 90% isopropyl alcohol for the cpu and graphics card heatsinks since it removes an 'invisible' layer of matted-ed web-like dust. Everything else I use a vacuum hose but I leave the computer plugged with the surge protector on to discharge any static electricity. I don't try too hard since everything will get dirty again and I don't use a windowed case nor do I do cable management.
 
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G

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I have an idea, is it OK if I do this? I have a humidifier I can use, so that way when I work on my computers & the humidifier is on, it'll reduce the chance of ESD build up as well as touching an unpainted surface of the metal chassis every few times. I was thinking of using an air compressor as well, is it safe to use one unlike a vacuum?
 
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