Cleaning

This page dscusses the various cleaning methods and materials for a range of different situations.

Summary

A significant number of faults are simply due to dirt, dust or corrosion interfering with either the mechanical or electrical operation. Different techniques, cleaning agents and tools are available, applicable to different situations, reviewed here.

Safety

Some cleaning agents may irritate the skin or give off inflammable or toxic fumes. Always read the label and work in a well ventilated location if fumes are a potential hazard.

Introduction

(The best way to organise this page may not be apparent until we have decent lists of, on the one hand, cleaning gents, and on the other, cleaning situations.

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Cleaning Agents

There are many proprietary cleaning agents, but here we mainly concentrate on generic ones. Note that some are flammable or may cause skin irritation. Always read the instructions.

• Isopropyl alcohol (also known as IPA or rubbing alcohol).

Very useful for general cleaning, e.g. for removing fingermarks and general grime, excess flux from circuit boards and for cleaning glass and lenses.

• Switch cleaner, e.g. Servisol Super 10.

Good for dirty or corroded switch or battery contacts.

• Air duster aerosol can.

Not very environmentally friendly (an air puffer is preferred) but can be useful if a strong blast is needed to dislodge dust from tight corners such as under the keys of a keyboard or between the vanes of a heatsink. Most contain a gas, in some cases flammable, under sufficient pressure to liquify it. If not held roughly vertically you may get a squirt of liquid instead of a blast of air.

Cleaning Situations

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External links

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