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I'm just wondernig if isopropyl alochol is the only agent that's recommended for cleaning electronics and even the circuit board itself? What's the difference between the 70% USP and the 90+% USP?
If I have something that is really sticky and dirty, is it okay to submerge the electronic into isopropyl alcohol? Will this damage the electronic in any way?
I don't know the difference between the two, but I know that it is one method of saving a phone that has been water damaged. it helps evaporate the water or something.
im no scientist though.
Submerging an electronic device will not damage it. However, submerging when the device is on will. It's the same case when someone is trying to turn on a device when it is still wet to see if it still works.
Are there any differences betweem the two kind of alcohol though? Is this the best method of cleaning dirty electronics?Quote:
Originally Posted by peryus88
It never really occurred to me which is better, 70 or 90. Doesn't 70 have a little bit of mint or something? Last time I saw one containing 70, it was green. I just stick with 90.
I use alcohol as a last resort to try and revive an electronic. However, I wouldn't say that it is the best way to clean dirty electronics. If there is sugar clogged in and you want to get rid of it, just use distilled water, soak the device in for a little bit, then drain it out.
I do remember another process that I once used, called "Chunkhead's guide to water damage". I don't remember the steps, though. I tried searching it using Google. But it seems that it's not available anymore, it just brings you to a Nokia forum.
I'm not sure about cleaning electronics, but you'll want to use 70% if you're cleaning to kill bacteria.
difference between the 70 and 90 is the 90% has a higher concentration of ethyl alcohol. the rest is usually water or something or other.
simple wiki search and i found this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubbing_alcohol
haha... reminds me of microbio classQuote:
Originally Posted by JwY
For cleaning electronics, go with 90%.
One word of caution: Before you go on a cleaning frenzy, spot check a small area to test if the alcohol will remove the paint or cause any type of discoloration. I've ruined a laptop chassis and a laptop screen cleaning them with alcohol before.
haha you're supposed to dilute the alcohol if u clean an LCD with it. works great when ive done it...always 50/50 dilution with 90% alcohol and water makes the screen blemish and streak free.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Calhoun
Live and learn. Now I just use monitor wipes. :2thumbs:Quote:
Originally Posted by chopsu3i
Man I hope it 'aint your keyboard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt_Strider
I used to solder circuit boards during the manufacturing of data acquisition devices. In our post solder cleaning we would place the boards in 90% alcohol and use a brush to remove the flux residue, then we would ground the board and rinse them under the hottest running water possible then hang them to dry. We grounded them because running water causes static build up.
Cleaning the board in alcohol, and then rinsing with fresh alcohol would be a good idea. Be careful with any open flame or spark (for obvious reasons).
go with the 90! the only reason why we have the 70 is because the 90 dries up too fast, so when you put it on a wound the90 will evaporate well before it can be effective!
yup, that's right. Thereotically, if you had 100% alcohol, you could completely submerge a computer (or other piece of electronics) in it and it would continue running unaffected.
Same goes for completely distilled water. This is also why you usually run distilled water in a liquid-cooled PC. Reduced chance of short circuit in case of a leak.
But yes, as BC said, IPA, whether 70% or 90% concentration, is a strong solvent so be careful what you use it on.