I have acquired several secondhand NeXTs which are quite dusty inside. I have decided to clean all the PCBs of dust, but the dust seems quite sticky and won't just blow away with a compressed air canister. What is the best way to clean these? With a dry cotton bud? I am concerned that I may generate static electricity and kill some chip, and also that the dust may be slightly abrasive and that dry dust being rubbed on the motherboard may stratch it slightly. With a wet cotton bud? Will the water cause any damage, or is there any risk that the slight concentration of conductive impurities in tap water will cause a short? In short, what is the gentlest and safest approach to cleaning these things?
Hi, I have used isopropyl alcohol with cotton bud to cleanup all my PCBs. Please do not use normal water. You can use distilled water to cleanup PCBs, but afterwards you should let it try for at least 10 days. All without warranty, but worked for me fine on all of the machines including NeXT computers.
Thanks for the tip. What are the consequences of using tap water?
Quote from: "tomaz"Thanks for the tip. What are the consequences of using tap water?
Micro crystallization from the elements within the water resulting in possible short circuits even on the dry board. At least that is what I have read about.
Instead of using distilled water, you could also use alcohol (high percentage) to flush dirt and tap water away. But this would be kind of waste in my eyes.
I have bought a purpose-made "PCB & Flux Cleaner" from Maplin's. It doesn't say what the ingredients are. I am a bit worried about the fact that alcohol is a solvent — is there no risk that it will dissolve something, e.g. the insulation on the PCB?
During the last 15 years I have cleaned dozens of (main)boards with isopropyl alcohol and there was never any problem like destroying the surface or damaging the insulation by the fluid.
Thank you, that's very useful. What do you use to brush the dust/residue off? An anti-static brush? A cotton swab? A lint-free cloth?
Cotton swabs, after first blowing the dust away.
I always just take out the battery and ROM and throw it in the dishwasher with the heated dry cycle turned off and no detergent added. The boards come out really clean.
The dishwasher is your friend. Great for cleaning boards.
Or do what I did, I put the cube in the backyard where it still sits. Makes a great stool for gardening.
Ah, so you're the one who did that. I remember seeing a photo of that years ago. :)