[Big Mac]

The next time I open my DP 2.0 I'm sure I'll see the internals thoroughly covered in dust. But I'm hesitant to use the compressed air can I bought from Office Depot years ago, because of the warning found on the label about it possibly marring plastic if the can is held improperly and liquid comes out. This type of compressed air cannot possibly be suitable for sensitive electronics. So what should I be using? How does everyone else clean their Power Macs?

[Lateralus]

I use it.

Just be careful with it. Keep the nozzle/straw as straight as possible and do not shake it while you're spraying.

[tooki]

Those are quite safe.

The chemicals in "canned air" are basically solvents that condense at a very high temperature. The can is designed so that if it's held upright, you just get the gaseous form. If you hold it upside down, the propellants themselves come out (at extremely low temperature), and those can basically dissolve certain plastics. But that stuff evaporates instantly, so it only has time to etch the surface.

The same stuff is used in "circuit freezing" sprays, which deliberately sprays the propellant out, which again is freezing cold. The cold makes damage to circuit boards evident.

So anyway, the propellant is safe enough that it can be sprayed directly onto components (though not while operating!). Plain "canned air" is perfectly safe, and has been widely used for many years.

Now, if you want, you can use real canned air. They sell cans with little pumps. You don't get much use out of a fillup, but then you just refill it with the pump.

If you have an air compressor in the garage, you could use it, too.

At home, I just blow on the dusty parts while holding the vacuum cleaner hose nearby to suck in the cloud of dust.

tooki

[swichd]

There have been reports of dangerous chemicals in the dust inside computers and electronics from the circuit boards. I recommend cleaning it outside.

[UnixMac]

I use it regularly on my stereo, computers, camera's etc... It's totally safe and I've never heard of it being toxic.

[Big Mac]

Thank you all for the informative replies. I don't really know if I'd go to the trouble to clean my G5 outside, but I'll take that advice into consideration. Btw, terrific post, tooki.