Cleaning the dust.
- Thread starter Gaerisch
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grillebilly
Empty Head
I hate dust. To keep it out of the gear, keep it covered when not in use. I use a bedsheet. When the sheet comes off, use a Swiffer cloth and wipe everything best you can. That includes the stand or whatever your gear is on. They work like magic.
When it comes time to clean the innards it's probably best to take it outside in the sun and do a good cleaning like described above.
When it comes time to clean the innards it's probably best to take it outside in the sun and do a good cleaning like described above.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I have a nozle for my compressor with a rubber tip and a couple holes drilled in the side of the tube just above the rubber tip. That way if I happen hit the tip on a part or the board, the pressure shoots out of the holes instead of possibly damaging something. Lower pressure helps too.
I used to use my compressor for dust removal, found it to be too much of a pain. Too noisy, too long to charge up the tank, and too quick to empty it, and it is not exactly easily portable. I finally bought the Opolar air duster for equipment dusting in my lab, it was one of the best purchase. I use it routinely when I need to clean or work on my equipment, if you are looking for a duster, it is worth a try.
I use an attachment that goes on my vacuum cleaner called a Vaccuflex, it comes with adapters to fit just about any vacuum cleaner and it comes with a selection of different size hoses that get smaller and smaller and the last one is about a quarter inch diameter.
I use a small soft bristle paint brush or makeup brush to loosen all the dust and then suck the dust up with the small quarter inch flexible Vaccuflex tube connected to my vacuum. It works great and really minimizes the chance of screwing something up.
The Vaccuflex is a great product and has many other applications, such as sucking out clogged drains. I just checked and you can see it on that video site if you're interested. I almost forgot, it is made in U.S.A. as well.
I use a small soft bristle paint brush or makeup brush to loosen all the dust and then suck the dust up with the small quarter inch flexible Vaccuflex tube connected to my vacuum. It works great and really minimizes the chance of screwing something up.
The Vaccuflex is a great product and has many other applications, such as sucking out clogged drains. I just checked and you can see it on that video site if you're interested. I almost forgot, it is made in U.S.A. as well.
It really depends on whether that dust is caked onto any circuit boards. My rescued from the recycler Technics SU-V707 had dirt caked onto the boards so bad that it required Q-tips and rubbing alcohol to get it clean enough to see the actual components.
I do like the thought of a rechargeable duster like that Opolar. Would save on the constant buying of cans of air. The canned air works but if you use it too quickly it gets cold and the pressure drops as well. And at about $5 per can the Opolar would pay off quickly.
I do like the thought of a rechargeable duster like that Opolar. Would save on the constant buying of cans of air. The canned air works but if you use it too quickly it gets cold and the pressure drops as well. And at about $5 per can the Opolar would pay off quickly.
I'm no expert, but for me, working inside the house, a vacuum cleaner and an upholstery brush gets a lot of the dust out.
Follow up with poking with an old artist's paintbrush in tight spots with a crevice tool on the vac. hose.
Q-tips with mild detergent/water or window cleaner get the rest dirt and dust.
Isopropanol is good if there is excess solder flux on the boards somewhere.
Follow up with poking with an old artist's paintbrush in tight spots with a crevice tool on the vac. hose.
Q-tips with mild detergent/water or window cleaner get the rest dirt and dust.
Isopropanol is good if there is excess solder flux on the boards somewhere.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BSJCLY/
tape up 2/4 holes on the adapter to give it a bit more suction; makes life a bit harder for the vacuum, but unless you're vacuuming non-stop for hours I don't think it will be a problem.
tape up 2/4 holes on the adapter to give it a bit more suction; makes life a bit harder for the vacuum, but unless you're vacuuming non-stop for hours I don't think it will be a problem.
I use a long-bristle paint brush and a vacuum.
