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How to open and MOD EK-Vardar F3-120 PC fans

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beret21

Registered
Joined
Dec 2, 2016
IF u want to relax watch the video, IF u want complete guide then follow the guide












These fans are among the top tier radiator fans and really liked by PC water cooling enthusiasts. (May be not)

Fan specs:
  • Mechanical and electrical specifications:-
  • Speed: 1850 rpm (+/- 10%)-
  • Rated Voltage: 12V DC-
  • Power Draw: 1.44W- PWM
  • Connector: 4-pin PWM header
  • Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
  • Performance characteristics:-
  • Max Air Flow: 63 CFM
  • Noise Level: 29.5 dBA






Requirements for this MOD

  • 2 Needles
  • Any glue cleaner or few drops of petrol
  • Tape
  • Spray paint
  • Cloth for cleaning and drying
  • A small bowl to clean the fan blades
  • A small box to keep tiny parts of fans ( Its imp )

IMAG0278.thumb.jpg.823ec06a03f3c2cefb1f393c9ccc6cbe.jpg
IMAG0280.thumb.jpg.31b614f788083f31bd48d54d5119dd4f.jpg




Step 1: Removing the fan blades

IMAG0281.thumb.jpg.d61b51883f5f34eab7d535f71e86d57b.jpg
IMAG0283.thumb.jpg.0ef3061c67cf651b925ba3f009301905.jpg
IMAG0282.thumb.jpg.7e80825033991037ea51a2c50a2685cd.jpg


Remove the sticker at the back of the fan
Get 2 needles and place em between the oval shaped gaped present on the black metal clip ( See pic one for reference )
Now move these pins apart like you are trying to open that clip.
When the clip is stretched apart enough the pin comes off mostly by itself as the spring between the bearings pushes it.
It might sound a bit complex but just stretch that clip apart by placing needles in that oval portion and rest will be done by fan
Once you have that pin removed the blade can be pulled.
After pulling the blade remove the bearings and the spring. Its really simple use needle to pull out bearings
Once all the things are pulled place them in a small box like i did. These things are tiny and if lost on floor will be really hard to find.
Repeat the steps for other fans(s).






Step 2: Cleaning


IMAG0286.thumb.jpg.22d8059672d8ec784561bb968f4cb426.jpg
IMAG0287.thumb.jpg.721a75ed385654a29ece96f5ebc41760.jpg
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Clean the sticker remnants by scraping off by nails or use some plastic thing. Dnt use metal it will scratch the plastic.
To clean the glue left by sticker use petrol/wd-40 or any other cleaner like these having acetone in it. Even perfumes / body sprays can be used.
After all that take a bowl, fill it with water and mix some washing detergent in it.
Put the blades ( only ) in the solution for 2-5 min and then rotate them in there to make sure all the dirt is clean.
Now run some fresh water over the blades and dry em.



Step 3: Masking for painting


IMAG0289.thumb.jpg.e71c9eb66ca60763c23e72f10b468246.jpg

IMAG0292.thumb.jpg.c3617fc6f2089f909e31b610241b54c9.jpg


Tape the small holes at the fan top.
I used a less wider tape and covered the fans from inside ( see pics for reference )
Then used a wider tape to cover the whole magnet area.
Use a blade to cut the access tape



Step 4: Painting and Results

IMAG0298.thumb.jpg.f6bdb204220f015d5e8da43461e3c014.jpg
IMAG0300.thumb.jpg.c9ff63fd3577d7cea4538a34db37b07f.jpg
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IMAG0304.thumb.jpg.36e3193d06602efd33560ddd11dd6888.jpg

Make sure that masking is done properly.
Spray outside use mask too as aerosol spray cans have a really bad smell.
Shake the can well for 2-3 mins
Maintain a distance of .7-1 foot from the object while painting
Spray in a rhythm and keep the can moving like a car windshield wiper moves.
Keep your layers of paint as thin as possible and rest 5-8 min after every layer.


After painting let it dry for 24 hrs and clean once with a clean cloth to remove dust.
Assemble back ( I dnt think u will need a guide to do that now )
Enjoy

Sorry about the low quality pics :p
 
I tried doing this a while ago with the phanteks fans but they don't even have a sticker on the back, just solid plastic with no access to the fan rod.
 
I tried doing this a while ago with the phanteks fans but they don't even have a sticker on the back, just solid plastic with no access to the fan rod.

I have came across such fans too that have plastic over that area. What i did was i melted it with soldering iron and the scraped off that melted plastic with a small screw driver. After clearing enough plastic it was the same as these. However sometimes instead of that metal black hook fans have simple plastic ring with a cut in it that hold the fan together and to open that plastic ring again needles can be used
 
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