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How do you clean your performance cooler.

V

veldi

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
184
Hey peeps.

I've been using my Thermalright Ultra Extreme for a long time now and it looks like my methods for cleaning it are not enough for it to stay proper in the long run.

Now my method was always washing it in the soap water followed by showering it on high. Then dipping it in distilled water to get rid of traces of water. Finally using blowdryer and towel to dry it up.

Now after some time it just aint so proper as it came in original package. Going thru all the fins with something fluffy and thin is very tedious and takes alot of time.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
pipe cleaners ftw. It is tedious.If you have an all copper hs, after the pipe cleaners, diy silver/copper cleaner for sparkly goodness.
 
Last edited:
Guess it's back to pipe cleaners and some better solvent :p

What about sparky goodness with aluminum ones?
 
Soak in warm soapy water, rinse and then air compressor to dry/remove dust.
 
Gimpy04 said:
Canned/compressed air to remover the dust.
Click to expand...

Tell you whats cheaper in the long run - buy a GIOTTOS camera lens puffer. The one that looks like a spacerocket.

I used to get through a lot of air cans but then tried my lens puffer and to be honest it does nearly as good a job.
 
daglesj said:
Tell you whats cheaper in the long run - buy a GIOTTOS camera lens puffer. The one that looks like a spacerocket.

I used to get through a lot of air cans but then tried my lens puffer and to be honest it does nearly as good a job.
Click to expand...

Yea, I should have clarified on the compressed part. I meant that I'll use a compressor and dust that way ;)

Agreed, though, that canned air gets really expensive. Thank goodness there's Costco!
 
I guess this is as a good a place as any to post my cautionary tale...

I had a Xigmatek DK that got quite dirty, so I sent it through the dishwasher. It is now turning multiple colors and looks terrible. I didn't want to reseat it as I though some damage was done to the cooler itself, so I bought a Mega Shadow. I think it was the nickle coating that was ruined in the dish washer. Are straight up aluminum heatsinks ok in the dishwasher?

This is my warning against dishwashing a nickle plated heatsink.

I'll see if I can post some pics later.
 
daglesj said:
Tell you whats cheaper in the long run - buy a GIOTTOS camera lens puffer. The one that looks like a spacerocket.

I used to get through a lot of air cans but then tried my lens puffer and to be honest it does nearly as good a job.
Click to expand...

$11.50 for a large one with free shipping. i bit...i figured if it works its definitely cheaper in the long run compared to buying canned air all the time...plus better for the environment.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259157-REG/Giottos_AA1900_Rocket_Air_Blower_.html

its $9.89 for the ugly colored one. :p
 
PnkPwrRngr:

I'd assume no metal cept stainless steel would go thru dishwasher untouched in any way.

On the other hand it makes you think wtf do they put in the stuff you use to clean those dishes O_O


As for only blowing the dust away, I think that's not enough, and even if you do blow it thru and wash it, there will still be tiny particles of dust present on the fins. I'm concerned how to remove those and maybe actually preventing the case to intake any dust at all.

So far I've used stockings as filters on my vents but the do not stop the finest particles, and those are the most problematic to remove as they are so tiny they kindof almost bond with the surface.
 
I use an air compressor to blow out the dust, and sometimes I then use a scrub brush and warm soapy water to clean my heatsink.
 
I use dish washing detergent like dawn and a scrub brush. I give it a good scrubbing to make sure everything is clean and then rinse and dry.
 
I use a mild citrus cleaner, like Orange Blast, let it soak for a few minutes after spraying it down real good then rinse it off. Air compressor to blow most of the water off then a hair drier to finish it off.

Been doing this for years and never had a problem.
 
90 psi from a Porter Cable pancake compressor. Cat hair is a bigger issue than dust in my world.
 
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