Compressed air can-whats the best brand?

martin57

Hello,

I bought a can of compressed air on ebay to clean dust of electronic things but I have noticed that though air comes out very often sort of white liquid comes out as well, I take it that its not advisable to use this can?

Just wondering do they all do this or what is the best brand to buy.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Martin57

Myser

Are you using it upside down? Not all of them are invertible.

The following are all good brands:

AF
5 star office
Servisol
Fellowes

I'd avoid the Falcon brand as they use a bitterant which prevents people from solvent abuse. However, you still end up with a horrible bitter taste in your mouth even if you are not trying to intentionally breathe it in!

P.S. I bought a Fellowes one off eBay once and had the same problem with liquid leaking out. I won't buy air duster cannisters off eBay again. I believe it may be due to the way in which they are stored i.e. temperature/environment.

fwor

No, you're right - I wouldn't use it.

I'd be looking to buy from one of the established electronic supplies firms such as Farnell or RS Components. They will probably stock Servisol, Electrolube or one of the other long-established brands.

Notmyrealname

They all do that. Its the propellant. Even Servisol does that. In fact in the 2+ decades I've been using the stuff I don't think I've ever come across any that doesn't to some extent.

closed

shake it

Free air is quite good.

DatabaseError

something like this? buy once, use forever

Myser

DatabaseError wrote: »

something like this? buy once, use forever

I guess that was meant as a joke?!

The problem with ordinary compressors is if you use them with an air-blower gun attachment, you may get contaminants such as oil/grease coming through. Industrial compressors/air blowers have a special filter to prevent contaminants damaging the equipment you are cleaning. This is more critical for clean manufacturing processes etc.

You may be able to use a standard compressor with an air-blower gun attachment in a mechanical workshop or vehicle garage where small contaminants aren't very critical. It's not recommended for delicate electronics such as computers etc.

jayme1

I just use a vacuum cleaner to clean my computers, if you're careful then it is perfectly fine, computers, while delicate, are not 'that' delicate.

Myser

jayme1 wrote: »

I just use a vacuum cleaner to clean my computers

Whilst that is fine for general cleaning of dust in computers, it won't remove dust inside fine heatsink fins and stuck on dust on fan blades.

Notmyrealname

Myser wrote: »

Whilst that is fine for general cleaning of dust in computers, it won't remove dust inside fine heatsink fins and stuck on dust on fan blades.

It does in conjunction with a brush to loosen the dust. In fact compressed air won't remove all the dust on its own.

Valli

I buy Fellowes air duster cans from Wilkinsons - decent price (when they're in stock!)