Advice needed, GPU full of white rust???

[red eye]

Dismount the heatsink from the GPU and remove the fan before you try anything.

I'd dunk the heatsink in water and attack it with something like a toothbrush. If that doesn't work then use a weak acid like spirit vinegar. Once clean, rinse the heatsink in isopropyl alcohol to displace the water and dry. Aluminium shouldn't require 'sealing' or anything as it forms a self-insulating layer of aluminium oxide on contact with air.

but that oxide layer is a powdery white not the shiny clear anodizing. It’s anodized as long as you don’t strip that anodizing it will look as shiny as it did when new.

 

[Quartz]

but that oxide layer is a powdery white not the shiny clear anodizing. It’s anodized as long as you don’t strip that anodizing it will look as shiny as it did when new.

Yes. You need to remove the white stuff so that the aluminium underneath can anodise and form a new protective layer.

 

[red eye]

Yes. You need to remove the white stuff so that the aluminium underneath can anodise and form a new protective layer.

Anodizing is a controlled oxidation process. If you let Aluminium oxidize on it’s own it will be powdery, if you remove this oxidation layer it will form another layer of oxidation. You can replete this until eventually you’ll end up with no heatsink.
https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1226296-aluminum-oxidation/

Diy anodizing
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rNjV6Jn1v_8

 

[Rofflay]

It seems water makes the powdery white oxide layer, Damm i thought it was iso does this happen on all Alu? What about drink cans?

 

[red eye]

It seems water makes the powdery white oxide layer, Damm i thought it was iso does this happen on all Alu? What about drink cans?

Oxidation happens to all alu, think it depends on the grade low grades would be powdery while higher grades look normal. Drinks cans I think would be coated in plastic?

 

[abdulwahidkhan]

So I tried the Isopropyl with a thin brush and the white stuff fades away for a few seconds then comes back to the original colour. It doesn’t seem to remove it when I’m trying to scrub it away with a small thin hobby brush. Do you think leaving it sinked in to the Isopropyl in a container would help, let’s say for like 30 mins or so? How do I remove the heat sink as I tried but it seems it’s stuck to the rest of the GPU. It’s an ASUS Strix 1080Ti. Here’s some pictures from different angles.
https://ibb.co/6XhrMF8
https://ibb.co/98qQs83
https://ibb.co/HqYvLDf
https://ibb.co/DbdmDf0

 

[Eurofighter]

You lot seem to have experince at removing white stains.

 

[delta0]

Aluminium corrodes white

 

[Nasher]

I'm guessing stock heatsinks don't use the best alu available.

You could plasti-dip it I suppose, that's good for up to 500c

 

[Jokester]

I doubt that's corrosion, unless you live somewhere on the coast? Even then it would corrode all over.

Looks just more like dust product.

 

[Rofflay]

I doubt that's corrosion, unless you live somewhere on the coast? Even then it would corrode all over.

Looks just more like dust product.

If the alu is poor and there is enough condensation or moisture it will happen. It does not happen all over infact it seems to happen in spots and you can rub it for white residue. It is probably the cheapest aluminium in China.


Someone vaping will do it, Or a shower room next to pc room with poor ventilation you will be sucking moisture into the room. And ofc breathing too from humans.

 

[Nasher]

Or a tropical fish tank nearby. That adds a lot of moisture to the air.

 

[dragonslayer]

He just spent 500 on a gpu so he’s hiding it from the Mrs

Although I know you're joking once when o worked in retail we also did postal orders and one guy literally hid in his shed to place an order and asked if it could be delivered to it so his Mrs didn't find it

 

[red eye]

Although I know you're joking once when o worked in retail we also did postal orders and one guy literally hid in his shed to place an order and asked if it could be delivered to it so his Mrs didn't find it

I’m serious! Mrs found out I brought a gpu now I’m struggling to find a way to get a new cpu, board and ram in the house.
I can’t have it delivered at work cos she’ll see me with a big mobo box when I get home and she’s off on all my days off

 

[LeMson]

I’m serious! Mrs found out I brought a gpu now I’m struggling to find a way to get a new cpu, board and ram in the house.
I can’t have it delivered at work cos she’ll see me with a big mobo box when I get home and she’s off on all my days off

Does that limit Xmas gift size to smaller than a mobo box too?

 

[darket]

Your all concerned with the corrosion on the cooler , i'd be concerned about the likely corrosion on the pcb, sod the cooler.

 

[red eye]

Does that limit Xmas gift size to smaller than a mobo box too?

Xmas??? Too early to think about Xmas. Even sainsburys haven’t got xmas stock out yet.

What the hell im just going to order everything I need she can kill me later