***can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? ***

fastz28camaro81 · 11-01-2009, 08:00 PM

This guy has his motherboard submerged in rubbing alcohol to show that it doesn't hurt the motherboard...

http://braineater.kicks-***.tv/miscshite/liquid1.jpg

He's using 70% rubbing alcohol, but to be on the safe side I'd probably get 99%, if possible.

Now I DON'T plan on submerging my ENTIRE motherboard into Rubbing Alcohol, but I would like to clean it with Rubbing Alcohol without worrying about damaging it.

is it alright to clean a motherboard with Rubbing Alcohol without having to sweat bullets, and praying to God before booting up my PC afterwards?

I guess I just don't associate liquids with electronics....

Thanks!

Phædrus2401 · 11-01-2009, 08:04 PM

I've never cleaned the motherboard with rubbing alcohol, but I have cleaned the CPU using it. ONLY use 90%+, he's taking a massive risk there since 70% isopropyl alcohol is usually 29% water. Also I would not submerge parts, as alcohol is corrosive and will dissolve the plastic PCBs (printed circuit boards) if exposed for very long.

It's unlikely that you need to clean your motherboard. I only clean the CPU prior to applying/reapplying thermal paste, and then you only clean the metal contact surface where it meets the heatsink.

**Tyree** · 11-01-2009, 08:14 PM

I have cleaned up a few older Mobo's that were in a smoky environment.
I used a VERY soft lacquer brush and medical grade (99%) alcohol.

fastz28camaro81 · 11-01-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

I've never cleaned the motherboard with rubbing alcohol, but I have cleaned the CPU using it. ONLY use 90%+, he's taking a massive risk there since 70% isopropyl alcohol is usually 29% water. Also I would not submerge parts, as alcohol is corrosive and will dissolve the plastic PCBs (printed circuit boards) if exposed for very long.

It's unlikely that you need to clean your motherboard. I only clean the CPU prior to applying/reapplying thermal paste, and then you only clean the metal contact surface where it meets the heatsink.

Not to prove you wrong or anything, lol, I did a search to see if Rubbing Alcohol is corrosive, and came across this..

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_rubbing_alcohol_corrosive

Maybe it's not corrosive? or maybe he's wrong?

fastz28camaro81 · 11-01-2009, 08:27 PM

http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Isop...ol_70_-9924413

Phædrus2401 · 11-01-2009, 08:32 PM

From your second link, page 5:

Quote:

Isopropyl alcohol reacts with metallic aluminum at high temperatures.
Isopropyl alcohol attacks some plastics, rubber, and coatings.

Which is why I don't recommend submerging parts in it. Tyree's method sounds about right; high purity isopropyl brushed on with a soft brush will remove most dirt, then the alcohol will evaporate before it can cause any real harm to the PCB.

Only time I think you'd need to actually clean the motherboard would be if it's in a really smoky or dirty environment, or maybe if you're living with a smoker and your computer has an intake fan. Then an occasional cleaning may be in order.

fastz28camaro81 · 11-01-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

From your second link, page 5:

Which is why I don't recommend submerging parts in it. Tyree's method sounds about right; high purity isopropyl brushed on with a soft brush will remove most dirt, then the alcohol will evaporate before it can cause any real harm to the PCB.

Only time I think you'd need to actually clean the motherboard would be if it's in a really smoky or dirty environment, or maybe if you're living with a smoker and your computer has an intake fan. Then an occasional cleaning may be in order.

Ok, I see, thanks for pointing that out.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, lol

Phædrus2401 · 11-01-2009, 08:43 PM

Being a perfectionist is no bad thing when working with hundreds of dollars worth of electrical components.

fastz28camaro81 · 11-01-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

Being a perfectionist is no bad thing when working with hundreds of dollars worth of electrical components.

How true that is :-)

Thanks for the info!

11-01-2009, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
fastz28camaro81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP SP2	*can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? * This guy has his motherboard submerged in rubbing alcohol to show that it doesn't hurt the motherboard... http://braineater.kicks-***.tv/miscshite/liquid1.jpg He's using 70% rubbing alcohol, but to be on the safe side I'd probably get 99%, if possible. Now I DON'T plan on submerging my ENTIRE motherboard into Rubbing Alcohol, but I would like to clean it with Rubbing Alcohol without worrying about damaging it. is it alright to clean a motherboard with Rubbing Alcohol without having to sweat bullets, and praying to God before booting up my PC afterwards? I guess I just don't associate liquids with electronics.... Thanks!

11-01-2009, 08:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,863 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: *can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? * I've never cleaned the motherboard with rubbing alcohol, but I have cleaned the CPU using it. ONLY use 90%+, he's taking a massive risk there since 70% isopropyl alcohol is usually 29% water. Also I would not submerge parts, as alcohol is corrosive and will dissolve the plastic PCBs (printed circuit boards) if exposed for very long. It's unlikely that you need to clean your motherboard. I only clean the CPU prior to applying/reapplying thermal paste, and then you only clean the metal contact surface where it meets the heatsink. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

11-01-2009, 08:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,781 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: *can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? * I have cleaned up a few older Mobo's that were in a smoky environment. I used a VERY soft lacquer brush and medical grade (99%) alcohol. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-01-2009, 08:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
fastz28camaro81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: *can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? * http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Isop...ol_70_-9924413

11-01-2009, 08:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,863 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: *can you seriously use rubbing alcohol to clean computer parts? * Being a perfectionist is no bad thing when working with hundreds of dollars worth of electrical components. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.