Canned air for cleaning pc

[solis_2610]

I want to clean my pc with canned air but i don't know how many cans will i need? With 1 is fine or should i buy more?
Also what components should i clean? Everything? HDD and SSD?

 

[Robert Cook]

1 should be enough 2 if you are ambitious. I would not touch the HDD, just pull it out, and wipe the dust off ( no static though) take the case out side. I would go for everything especially the CPU heat sink and GPU heat sink. remember to hold the fans while you blow air though them, if they spin you could ruin a fan header. Also you can try to take out fans and clean the blades of dust.

 

[solis_2610]

1 should be enough 2 if you are ambitious. I would not touch the HDD, just pull it out, and wipe the dust off ( no static though) take the case out side. I would go for everything especially the CPU heat sink and GPU heat sink. remember to hold the fans while you blow air though them, if they spin you could ruin a fan header. Also you can try to take out fans and clean the blades of dust.

Thank you 😀, also how do i clean the power supply? Only the fans of it?

 

[Robert Cook]

yes I would try to blow out some dust, but do not open it unless you want to void your warranty, and know exactly what parts not to go near. I have gotten 120V AC from one, it made me shake all day.

 

[azaran]

Depending on how long its been since you cleaned, one can might do it but you're likely going to use around 3. On some especially dirty cases I've gone through a brick of 6 (setting fire to that case would have been easier). Also as the cans are used, you'll need to let the rest to recharge. My advice would to go to a big box warehouse like Costco and get a pack. Out here a pack of 6 runs about $15 and you wont have to worry about running out mid way though cleaning. If your only option localy is something like radio shack, then buy online. $10 a can is absurd.

As for what to clean, Robert had the right of it. Especially with the fans, its tempting to just blow them and let them spin but I've snaps a blade off a fan doing that. If the fans are especially nasty using a rag and some Windex (spray on the rag, not the fan) and do them by hand. It's tedious but not as tedious as replacing a broken fan. Also make sure to hold the cans upright and not to shake them, the liquid can come out if they're shaken or held at an extreme angle.

 

[wurkfur]

Just one more tip. The cans will get cold and lose pressure as you use them. You can set them in warm (but not hot) water and get the pressure back.

 

[azaran]

Just one more tip. The cans will get cold and lose pressure as you use them. You can set them in warm (but not hot) water and get the pressure back.

Never thought about warm water to recharge them, I always just waited out for them to warm up. Good call.

 

[solis_2610]

Just one more tip. The cans will get cold and lose pressure as you use them. You can set them in warm (but not hot) water and get the pressure back.

Nice tip, thank you

 

[solis_2610]

Thank you all for the answers, got all of my questions answered