PC cleaning kit - advices
- Thread starter daandris
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jamesriley94
New member
Compressed air canisters are probably about the best you'll get for cleaning. Don't use a vacuum as they can case electro-static damage.
However, it's fairly easy to prevent a lot of the dust getting in in the first place.
Try to keep a positive air pressure - ie, more fans intaking than exhausting. This means air is blown out of any vents in the case, and if air is blowing out, dust isn't going to get in.
If you do that, you need to make sure that all the intakes are well dust filtered, otherwise you'll just end up with those sucking dust in.
However, it's fairly easy to prevent a lot of the dust getting in in the first place.
Try to keep a positive air pressure - ie, more fans intaking than exhausting. This means air is blown out of any vents in the case, and if air is blowing out, dust isn't going to get in.
If you do that, you need to make sure that all the intakes are well dust filtered, otherwise you'll just end up with those sucking dust in.
AndyBC
New member
I have compressed air cans.. I found them pretty useless... Really a proper air compressor is the best thing you can get for the job. Otherwise I find blowing by mouth best lol...
With compressed air if you don't hold the can at the right angle all the liquid inside squirts out... it's a pain in the ass and really doesn't work as well as I first expected.
With compressed air if you don't hold the can at the right angle all the liquid inside squirts out... it's a pain in the ass and really doesn't work as well as I first expected.
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I think its worth shelling out the extra £1 for 'invertible' compressed air cans, especially when cleaning stuff inside the case. If your taking it out and setting it down on a bench then the normal ones are ok. Spray in short bursts and you should figure out when its going to spray out liquid. I always spray away from the component first just to be sure. They don't last very long at all and basically feel like a rip off but there's not really a substitute.
I did try using our compressor once and although having 150psi and a tiny hole was fantastic at shifting dust it did also trap some moisture, if you have one give it a go, but it's not exactly something your gonna rush out and buy.
For cleaning monitors, windows or other very shiny things I really like using the fellowes lcd cleaning thing. It comes with weird rough little paper towels that at first look like the cheapest toilet roll known to man and you think eh... hows that gonna work. But when you try it the results are amazing, no streaks, nothing left behind and no scratching. I've tried using microfiber cloths on screens but those little paper things get way better results and are much easier to stop streaking. Always turn your monitor off before cleaning. Always use an air duster first to prevent light scratches. - http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/office-supplies/office-supplies/pc-care-cleaning/fellowes-screen-cleaning-solution-wipes-20-pack-10822663-pdt.html?gclid=CJe3i6Lg3rkCFbLHtAodlVEAcQ&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~~~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&s_kwcid=AL!3391!3!28126473980!!!g!60594789835!&ef_id=UO292wAADOULwMgq:20130922100334:s
Another thing I really like to use are microfiber cloths, the best I have found is from Jessops. They are really good for wiping things after you have air dusted them and just generally cleaning your desk and case. Replace them after a while otherwise they will retain dust and start to scratch things. - http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/jessops/optical-cleaning-cloth-extra-large-3569/show.html
Jessops lens cleaning spray I find quite useful too, after air dusting and a wipe over with the cloth, I sometimes spray a little onto the cloth and give it a gentle rub to clean off any fingermarks and give it a little shine back. But again don't wet the cloth and take to something with 1/4" of dust on it because you will scratch it to pieces. It's just like cleaning a car properly, you don't polish it when its got dirt on it or you immediately cover it in fine scratches. - http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/jessops/cleaning-fluid-spray-76513/show.html
Not saying anything is the best available but that's what I have found and use with good result.
JR
I did try using our compressor once and although having 150psi and a tiny hole was fantastic at shifting dust it did also trap some moisture, if you have one give it a go, but it's not exactly something your gonna rush out and buy.
For cleaning monitors, windows or other very shiny things I really like using the fellowes lcd cleaning thing. It comes with weird rough little paper towels that at first look like the cheapest toilet roll known to man and you think eh... hows that gonna work. But when you try it the results are amazing, no streaks, nothing left behind and no scratching. I've tried using microfiber cloths on screens but those little paper things get way better results and are much easier to stop streaking. Always turn your monitor off before cleaning. Always use an air duster first to prevent light scratches. - http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/office-supplies/office-supplies/pc-care-cleaning/fellowes-screen-cleaning-solution-wipes-20-pack-10822663-pdt.html?gclid=CJe3i6Lg3rkCFbLHtAodlVEAcQ&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~~~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&s_kwcid=AL!3391!3!28126473980!!!g!60594789835!&ef_id=UO292wAADOULwMgq:20130922100334:s
Another thing I really like to use are microfiber cloths, the best I have found is from Jessops. They are really good for wiping things after you have air dusted them and just generally cleaning your desk and case. Replace them after a while otherwise they will retain dust and start to scratch things. - http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/jessops/optical-cleaning-cloth-extra-large-3569/show.html
Jessops lens cleaning spray I find quite useful too, after air dusting and a wipe over with the cloth, I sometimes spray a little onto the cloth and give it a gentle rub to clean off any fingermarks and give it a little shine back. But again don't wet the cloth and take to something with 1/4" of dust on it because you will scratch it to pieces. It's just like cleaning a car properly, you don't polish it when its got dirt on it or you immediately cover it in fine scratches. - http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/jessops/cleaning-fluid-spray-76513/show.html
Not saying anything is the best available but that's what I have found and use with good result.
JR
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Wraith
Bettyswollocks
My Cleaning arsenal consists of 3 Various size stiff paint brushes, 99.9% Pure Alcohol Wipes & 500ml Spray bottle, Q-Tips, Pipe cleaners, BBQ Skewers (Always useful), Microfiber Anti-static Cloth & Kitchen Towel. All I ever really needed. Although I have just invested £179 in a Anti-Static electronics Vacuum, but there are Anti-Static rubber precision hose kits you can get for the small Dyson cleaners NOT the upright cleaners.
Red Dragon
New member
Like Jr23 said invertible compressed air are so worth the extra money, esp if you are cleaning laptop heatsinks etc,makes it so much easier.
I also use a quite long small paint brush to get into high heatsinks, if there has been dust for awhile then it can get a little bit baked on, so i brush over it and then compressed air and it's all gone
lcd cleaning i use a micro fiber cloth + a spray , doing circular patterns, no streaks or anything.
I also use a quite long small paint brush to get into high heatsinks, if there has been dust for awhile then it can get a little bit baked on, so i brush over it and then compressed air and it's all gone
lcd cleaning i use a micro fiber cloth + a spray , doing circular patterns, no streaks or anything.
daandris
New member
First of all ... thank you all for your effort in answering me .... JR23, especially you for taking the time to post such a long and welcomed detailed advice regarding my query ... already looked into what you peeps suggested and ordered most of the products ... looking forward to see the results ...
