Switched from canned air to a data vac blower after a nasty surprise

For years I thought canned air was the only way to clean dusty PCs. Then last month I had a can freeze up mid-spray on a client's $3000 build. The liquid propellant shot out and left this weird sticky residue all over the motherboard. I switched to a data vac compressor after that - spent about $70 on a decent one. Now I blow out three towers in the time it took for one can, and no more mystery goo. Anyone else had canned air ruin a board on them?

3 comments

3 Comments

lee.lucas11d ago

Haha yeah I had the exact same thing happen. I was cleaning my buddy's rig and the can just froze up and started spitting liquid everywhere. I was terrified I fried something. Switched to a little electric blower right after that and never looked back. So much faster too.

emma52211d ago

Never looked back" huh? I mean, what kind of electric blower did you get? I've been thinking about switching but I'm worried about static discharge or something shorting out a motherboard. Did you just grab a random one on Amazon or did you get a specific brand that's been working good for you?

the_skyler11d ago

Yeah that canned air disaster is way too common. Good call on switching to electric, I did the same thing after a close call and it's just way less stressful.