Light coating of dust on my monitor electronics (boards). Any problems?

[rmcelwee]

I've got 8 years of dust on them (since we moved into this house). I could blow them off, make a huge mess, and maybe damage something or I could just leave them alone. Which should I do?

FWIW, there is ZERO chance I could get them outside for a real cleaning. This would be an air hose in one hand, a vacuum hose in the other and maybe a paint brush in my 3rd hand.

[mgb]

It never hurts to clear the dust off. I have seen parts fail from dirt and dust.
I used to service a Fire alarm system in a Greyhound kennel which had many device failures due to dog dander 

Just simply blow it off with canned air and hold a vacuum to catch it. make sure none of the propellant from the can gets out onto the parts.

[MonMotha]

You probably don't need to clean it unless you think it presents a problem of heat buildup.  If you do wish to clean it, use compressed air (or canned air) and a vacuum cleaner as above.

Make absolutely sure that you do not allow liquid "canned air" (which is usually actually refrigerant) to come in contact with the glass tube.  You can easily crack it, especially if it's still hot from operation, and then you've got a useless monitor.  Compressed air (from a compressor) presents less of a hazard in this regard.  You can also wipe things down with a cloth, but do not use anything wet or damp on the back side of the tube (which generally doesn't need cleaned, anyway, as it being dirty presents no problem): the water can remove the "dag" coating which leaves you with a pretty useless tube.

[rmcelwee]

Thanks for the heads up on not cleaning the tube. I wasn't planning on it but you never know. Once I get started I tend to go a little crazy.

[boardjunkie]

Monitors attract dirt from the presence of high voltage.....not much we can do about that. And....its the worst kind of dirt......ultra fine and it *loves* your clothing. Just blow it off with compressed air. I wouldn't worry about it unless its a pretty good "blanket" of dirt which can hold heat and dry out yer caps faster.