PDA

View Full Version : Cleaning the dust out of a rad???

Mycobacteria
03-04-07, 06:59 PM
Anyone clean the dust out of their rad? If so how do you do it?
darkcow
03-04-07, 07:01 PM
canned air ftw.
Alchemy1
03-04-07, 07:38 PM
Canned air to get the dust out of the finned area and a damp rag for the rest of the rad.
wannaoc
03-04-07, 09:44 PM
I just get my shopvac and suck it out, a little air pressure does the rest. Careful around the motherboard with the pressurized air though, it can blow small pieces off.
QuietIce
03-05-07, 05:28 AM
BFDustbuster w/a brussle tool - it's almost as good as my big shop vac... :)
Maviryk
03-05-07, 07:01 AM
Actually, ya'll are missing the important first step... unplug everthing... place computer OUTSIDE, then proceed to use pressurized air.

:)

WOuld you empty the contents of your vacuum cleaner indoors?
metloaf
03-05-07, 11:33 AM
I agree, I wouldn't do it inside because it will just end up in your PC again. I have used can air and my air compressor a lot and both worked well. :beer:
Diggrr
03-05-07, 02:21 PM
Step A: Vacuum out the intake/rad area using my brush attachment.
Step B: Filter the intake, never to revisit step A again. ;)
QuietIce
03-05-07, 04:49 PM
Step B: Filter the intake, never to revisit step A again. ;) Exactly what I'm planning for my next rad make-over ... :thup:
ziggo0
03-05-07, 04:55 PM
A filter would kill airflow...wouldn't that ruin the point of a Rad?
QuietIce
03-05-07, 05:00 PM
You just need the right filter. ;)

Besides, with my set-up the air is filtered anyway - on the back side of the rads - so it won't change my air flow at all to move it in front of them ...
ziggo0
03-05-07, 05:01 PM
Ah...I see, wish I could get my hands on one of those ;)

I just flip my case upside down and blow air into the rad from the opposite direction it comes in at.
QuietIce
03-05-07, 05:23 PM
Ah...I see, wish I could get my hands on one of those ;)

I just flip my case upside down and blow air into the rad from the opposite direction it comes in at. These should work well ... http://knfilters.com/airforcewraps.htm
Smitty1258
03-06-07, 06:09 AM
^ nice find
voigts
03-06-07, 07:28 AM
I usually take mine outside and gently hit it with my 2 gallon air compressor.
aaronjb
03-06-07, 08:05 AM
I usually take mine outside and gently hit it with my 2 gallon air compressor.

Couldn't you just tap it with the palm of your hand? :p
noxqzs
03-06-07, 01:31 PM
I usually take mine outside and gently hit it with my 2 gallon air compressor.


after some time, I came to a realization that this is the way to go. For Christamas, that was the only thing I asked for. Those air cans are expensive and run out way to fast.

Sears has compressors for less than $100. Well worth the investment for other projects as well.
myndlessdayz
03-06-07, 02:07 PM
I usually take mine outside and gently hit it with my 2 gallon air compressor.

:beer: I usually just use my compressor to blow air on it... :beer:

jk. Same here. Saves a lot of money over buying cases of compressed air cans.
kenny_k
03-06-07, 03:11 PM
i'll just blow it out with my wet vac
Alien1099
03-07-07, 01:26 PM
Actually, ya'll are missing the important first step... unplug everthing... place computer OUTSIDE, then proceed to use pressurized air.

:)

WOuld you empty the contents of your vacuum cleaner indoors?

Sure if you are just gonna blow it out with compressed air. I prefer to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. A dustbuster should work great too. No mess.
nikhsub1
03-07-07, 02:10 PM
The main reason why I went to the PA over my HE rad (Thermochills) was because the HE is a PITA to clean. The fins are so tightly packed that even air won't clean it properly. The ONLY way to really clean the HE is to remove it and hose that sucker off with water. The PA OTOH is a joy, a few blasts of canned air or compressor works nicely.
Captain Slug
03-07-07, 02:27 PM
A filter would kill airflow...wouldn't that ruin the point of a Rad?
Not aluminum mesh filters which will prevent the larger clumps from accumulating, making it MUCH easier to clean up so that the build up is on the filter rather than the rad.
The rad itself will only get fine soot.
epidemic
03-07-07, 04:41 PM
Air compressor outside, then jump back 20 feet after the first push of air cause you wont be able to breathe. :)
Stabbin
03-07-07, 07:47 PM
I remove the radiator and place it an ultrasonic water bath for 20 minutes. Works way better than compressed gas or water streams.

Edit: Here's exactly what I use for all my small cleaning needs. http://www.bransonic.com/model_8510.asp
Mycobacteria
03-07-07, 08:03 PM
sonicaction is a good idea, it may even clean the inside of the rad as well. I was thinking of putting the rad into a dish washer to make it really really clean again. what do you guys think of that idea?
Mycobacteria
03-07-07, 08:03 PM
sonicaction is a good idea, it may even clean the inside of the rad as well. I was thinking of putting the rad into a dish washer to make it really really clean again. what do you guys think of that idea?
Mycobacteria
03-07-07, 09:19 PM
sonicaction is a good idea, it may even clean the inside of the rad as well. I was thinking of putting the rad into a dish washer to make it really really clean again. what do you guys think of that idea?
Otter
03-08-07, 02:37 AM
I think it's overkill, Myco. :)

Also, the fins on some rads are extremely delicate. Could the jets in a dishwasher bend them?
bail_w
03-08-07, 05:02 AM
I use my mouth to blow the dust, because i dont have money for air dust :(
Stabbin
03-08-07, 11:48 AM
I was thinking of putting the rad into a dish washer to make it really really clean again. what do you guys think of that idea?

Thats actually not a bad idea. Placing it on the upper rack and running it through a couple cycles without any detergent seems like it would be fairly effective. **Runs off to put spare BIX120 in dish washer**:D
Mycobacteria
03-08-07, 03:47 PM
I have put my rad into a dish washer (on its own without other dirty dishes) and it came up tops, looks like new not a spec of dust to be seen.

I think its cheaper than buying cans of air for like 10 bucks at k mart.
QuietIce
03-08-07, 05:40 PM
I think I'd still be tempted to plug the IN/OUT if I tried that ...
Diggrr
03-08-07, 11:06 PM
I was thinking the same thing, but then I thought it's a soap (that lowers surface tension) without foam.
But of course it will etch metal (killed my t-fal set), so it's not something I'd leave in the rad at all...there's also little bits of food left in the dishwasher too, and that cannot be good for a water system....an algae feast!

The end to this rambling...tape up the barbs or put plugs into them.
epidemic
03-09-07, 09:47 AM
I prefer to not break down my loop just to clean the rad. You guys are working too hard. Just find a friend with an air compressor (if you dont have one) and blow it out. Make sure to hold onto the fans so that you don't ruin them when they overspin from the air. This only takes a couple of mins and its clean.