can i wash fans

Bumblebox · 15 May 2018 at 18:42

my friend gave me his old radiator with 3 120mm fractal design fans, but the radiator leaked and now they are covered in that weird watery stuff. is it safe to wash these at all? if not how can i clean them without breaking them?

Spankme · 15 May 2018 at 19:10

Only thing i can seriously suggest is compressed air, anything else wil only do damage

bifday2k · 15 May 2018 at 19:16

Iv used cleaning/monitor wipes to clean fans/blades plenty of times in the past. As long as your not getting moisture into where the motor/bearings are you should be fine.

pastymuncher · 15 May 2018 at 19:17

You could use isopropyl wipes (screen wipes/glasses wipes) on them but dont use water that can get into the motor.

Habakkuk · 29 May 2018 at 19:54

Just clean the blades & the inner perimeter of the fan case.

You want it functional, not pretty - overcleaning may break it.

martin363 · 30 May 2018 at 03:32

I have washed Corsair SP1 fans under a running tap, and then left them to dry / drain for a couple of hours before using again. I had no issues.

Rroff · 30 May 2018 at 03:52

pastymuncher said:
You could use isopropyl wipes (screen wipes/glasses wipes) on them but dont use water that can get into the motor.

Yeah Isopropyl wipes or spray (with lint free cloth or whatever) - water is not a good idea.

Armageus · 30 May 2018 at 07:03

pastymuncher said:
You could use isopropyl wipes (screen wipes/glasses wipes) on them but dont use water that can get into the motor.

Isopropyl can sometimes react with plastics and leave a white discoloration

Andygully · 30 May 2018 at 07:22

On some fans you can pull the blades off (you can on the corsair fans) and wash them and let them dry for a few hours.

Pocah · 30 May 2018 at 07:59

PCB cleaner is probably your safest bet.

PaulCa · 30 May 2018 at 08:04

Most electronics are power washed at the factory, including motherboards. They have to do it to remove flux etc.

Smaller companies use dishwashers to clean PCBs after reflow soldering.

The thing you need to be careful of is that some tap water has a higher concentration of minerals and salts in it which can lead to corrosion if not dried quickly. De-ionised water takes care of most of that.

The difficult bit is drying it quickly and completely. Usually done with high airflow and heat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRJSnPGUVa0

The only thing that would concern me is getting water into the bearings and/or washing out any lubricant in the fan.

TheGentry · 30 May 2018 at 14:21

Just use compressed air and isopropyl wipes. I really wouldn't recommend using water.

mikedigitales · 30 May 2018 at 14:34

At the car wash, ##ooohhh ahhhh ooooahh ah!##