Dirty monitor board/chassis. Is this a viable option?

[Amra]

Imagine an arcade monitor chassis in which all you see is grey, due to a thick blanket of dust.

What are some good methods of removing this blanket?

What I have been recommended:

1. Use soapy water in a spray bottle with a decent pressure.
2. Rinse board in a sink with water from tap, as well as using the spray bottle to get into hard to reach areas.
3. Use a soft long bristled brush, scrub gently, using spray to help motivate removal of particulates.
4. Rinse entire board with *distilled* water.
4a. (Optional) spray board down with ISP (isopropyl alcohol)
5. Blow out board with compressed air, then put in front of a blower/fan.
6. Leave until thoroughly dried.

I don't think there is a lot of risk in this particular procedure, but I imagine you could decrease the risk even more by using only distilled water. Perhaps filling a small plastic tub and using only distilled water to both scrub the board and to rinse it.

How do you all feel about this method? In what ways could it be improved? What method do YOU prefer?

[grantspain]

you would need to remove any coils and transformers first if you do this

i just use a vacuum cleaner and paint brush,cotton bud with cleaning agent for any type of spillage

[Vigo]

I don't mind dirt in my monitor, but i do carefully wipe certain areas and use rubbing alcohol on a q-tip around components if it starts looking like a sheep.

[Ken Layton]

Monitor cleaning and monitor board cleaning has already been well-discussed on this and other forums. It is such a common topic it should be put in a FAQ.

[mgb]

I once used a leaf blower to clean a g07. The thing was too filthy to work on.
  I really wouldn't try using water and especially soap.
The chassis really doesn't need to be THAT clean

[behrmr]

Imagine an arcade monitor chassis in which all you see is grey, due to a thick blanket of dust.

What are some good methods of removing this blanket?

What I have been recommended:

1. Use soapy water in a spray bottle with a decent pressure.
2. Rinse board in a sink with water from tap, as well as using the spray bottle to get into hard to reach areas.
3. Use a soft long bristled brush, scrub gently, using spray to help motivate removal of particulates.
4. Rinse entire board with *distilled* water.
4a. (Optional) spray board down with ISP (isopropyl alcohol)
5. Blow out board with compressed air, then put in front of a blower/fan.
6. Leave until thoroughly dried.

I don't think there is a lot of risk in this particular procedure, but I imagine you could decrease the risk even more by using only distilled water. Perhaps filling a small plastic tub and using only distilled water to both scrub the board and to rinse it.

How do you all feel about this method? In what ways could it be improved? What method do YOU prefer?

I use a very similar process.  I've done this on 4 different monitors with no issues.   I use the laundry sink and plain old hot tap water. I don't like to work on filthy monitors.

1. Take pictures so you know how to put it back together.
2. Discharge tube (search on how to do that if you don't know how).
3. Disassemble, removing the chassis and tube from the frame.
3. Disconnect all connectors.
4. Spray parts with a good dose of Simple Green.
5. Use a 1" paint brush to scrub gently.  You can grip the bristles to stiffen the brush as needed.
6. Rinse parts in a sink with hot water from tap.
7. Blow out board with compressed air.
8. Blow out all connectors with compressed air.
9. Put in front of a blower/fan at least overnight until thoroughly dried.


Wash the tube with the same process and:   
1. Be careful not to scrub off any labels that identify it.  If they come off, save them and re-apply them when dry.
2. Go very easy around the yoke and the convergence/purity rings.  If you knock one of these or move the yoke you will not be happy.

[Amra]

you would need to remove any coils and transformers first if you do this

I've not heard that before. I suppose it could be a good preventative measure, but I don't know that its necessary. I guess it would depend on how long you are willing to wait before applying power, and how well sealed your transformers/coils are.

It is such a common topic it should be put in a FAQ.

I agree! It would be nice to have a goto resource for cleaning boards instead of having to scour ten years of posting archives to find some useful information.

I really wouldn't try using water and especially soap.

Any particular reason why?

The chassis really doesn't need to be THAT clean

Yeah, I primarily only clean them when I am about to service them. Getting ready to replace every electrolytic in an old 27" Sony Trinitron Monitor (KX-M270), and that spawned a search for the best methods, figured I'd ask here to see what other people recommend).

I use a very similar process.  I've done this on 4 different monitors with no issues.   I use the laundry sink and plain old hot tap water. I don't like to work on filthy monitors.

Thanks for the information, I might go for the simple green instead of soapy water, that sounds like a good change.   

[mgb]

For me, I'm just concerned with residues and what not that water and soaps (especially home dish detergents with perfumes and all that in them) may leave behind.
I've used things like denatured alcahol and contact cleaner on very dirty boards.

[PL1]

It is such a common topic it should be put in a FAQ.

I agree! It would be nice to have a goto resource for cleaning boards instead of having to scour ten years of posting archives to find some useful information.

This sounds like a great page to add to the wiki along with links to the most useful forum threads.

If someone can put together the content, I'll gladly help with formatting and add links to the Monitors and Video portal and Restoration pages.

LMK if anyone needs a wiki login.   


Scott

[chopperthedog]

I use a set like this to clean monitors. http://www.lowes.com/pd_36979-20097-8018911_4294644821__?productId=1084993&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=


good day.