Air dusters - how safe to use in PC?

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gtz101

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I brought one from maplins, i used it today but notice it sprays out repellant (or fluid) when spraying, in motherboard etc to clean dirt etc, would this cause damage to my PC? The can is also very cold.
 
it only sprays propellant out if you hold the can upside down

i wouldnt recommnend using them whilst the PC is on in anycase, but the propellant evaporates off in a few seconds so nothing to worry about
 
i do switch pc off and then spray it but i do hold the can upright and it still sprays out repellant so is this ok? it wont damage components?
 
As long as the machine is disconnected from the mains, probably not.

But I don't like them compressed air cans myself, I consider them a waste of money.

All you be doing is redistributing them dust bunnies, admittedly somewhere else than your PC.

I use a clean 1" (25mm) paintbrush and a vacum cleaner with flat nozzle attached.

In fact, the 'paintbrush' is a dedicated cleaning brush from RS components but a paintbrush will do.
 
i sometimes also use those anti static brushes as well but it doesnt clean everything out in pc
 
When you use the can it will get cold, this is to do with the way it works. (It's the same way a fridge works, compressed substance forced through small hole makes one side warm (the air outside the can) and one side very cold... (inside the can) it's to do with energy transfer.

If the can is nearly empty, all you will get is propellant coming out. And it's not nice stuff, IMO it stinks and I would recommend not being inside a house if you are still hell-bent on getting that last little bit out of the can. It is also HIGHLY flammable, and until it evaporates (a few seconds) it is dangerous (NO sparks or live equipment) or you will have a flamethrower on your hands.

Please note when used as instructed and when NOT nearly empty these cans are perfectly safe...
 
I use sevral different sized brushes , I have masking tape round the metal bits to stop accidental shorts . Also I use a high power modern bicycle pump with a flexible extension , this is a home made bodgeup . This really gets the dust flying and I hold a hoover tube close by to suck up the dust . The pump is a low cost item , lasts for ever and is very environment friendly , oh I nearly forgot , its very cheap to run in the long term .

:D
 
Abarbarian ... sorry, but I've just got to ask... If you are using a bicycle pump, then one hand is presumably holding the tube-part, whilst the other is doing the pumpy-bit... how then, do you manage to hold the hoover tube at the same time? I have this mental picture of a bit of a juggling act going on :D
 
Taffycat said:
Abarbarian ... sorry, but I've just got to ask... If you are using a bicycle pump, then one hand is presumably holding the tube-part, whilst the other is doing the pumpy-bit... how then, do you manage to hold the hoover tube at the same time? I have this mental picture of a bit of a juggling act going on :D
Click to expand...

If I remember I'll post pics when I get back from patio and wall building next week .

:D
 
Bicycle pump.

What a brilliant idea.

I like it :thumb:

I have a high powered bike pump, it's just found an extra use :)
 
wouldn't a high powered bike pump cause damage to components? U mean a bike pump as in one that blows air out with force?
 
gtz101 said:
wouldn't a high powered bike pump cause damage to components? U mean a bike pump as in one that blows air out with force?
Click to expand...

And what, pray tell, does a can of compressed air do? :)
 
:lol: :lol: :lol:

oh my, have you spilt the contents of an aquarium inside your computer then?

That second one is for pumping water :lol:

Sorry, but best laugh I've had all week :D
 
gtz101 said:
which one from maplins best one to use?
Click to expand...

Like Flops says, I'd advise against the 2nd one ;)

• Ideal for emptying aquariums and ponds, washing machines, minor floods or spills and camping etc
• Suitable for water, beer, wine or any non-corrosive fluid
Click to expand...
 
I regard them compressed air cans, especially ones aimed at PCs, to be a danger to your PC ... I'll never recommend them.

My vacuum cleaner can blow as well as the usual suck ... I find that stripping the PC partially or removing certain components easier to clean.

One of the best "items" I ever used for cleaning out PSUs and cases was ... using an acetylene torch ... No, it wasn't lit :rolleyes: and I only uses the 'air' bottle, turned off the 'gas', but the nozzle was a great tool for getting into the tight spots. Could blow the dust for miles. ;)

You should see how fast the PSU fan used to spin.
laughingsmiley.gif



Nothing really beats a complete disassemble, clean, and reassemble ... and you can reapply some goop to the CPU. :thumb:


That Maplin dusting pump will be useless. ;)


user.gif
 
Enough is enough As I have stopped :lol::lol::lol:now. Do this take the cover OFF your PC disconnect all cables take the PC out to your carDrive to a garage and ask to borrow the AIR-LINE turn the pressure down low then blow all the dust away> Bobs your Uncle:user:
 
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