AIO Radiator Cleaning Question

[MarioSaltalamacchia]

So I just got a corsair H100i GTX in the mail (got it for a great price on eBay). It was used, and I knew that going into it. The radiator is a bit dirty on one side. I've blasted it with canned air, and gently vacuumed the fins. Can I let water run through the fins to get the rest of the dust off, and then thoroughly dry it before installing?  I'm out of ideas as to how I can clean it any further.

 

Thanks in advance.

[done12many2]

3 minutes ago, MarioSaltalamacchia said:

So I just got a corsair H100i GTX in the mail (got it for a great price on eBay). It was used, and I knew that going into it. The radiator is a bit dirty on one side. I've blasted it with canned air, and gently vacuumed the fins. Can I let water run through the fins to get the rest of the dust off, and then thoroughly dry it before installing?  I'm out of ideas as to how I can clean it any further.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Absolutely.  You can rinse them off with no problems.  

[MarioSaltalamacchia]

Just now, done12many2 said:

 

Absolutely.  You can rinse them off with no problems.  

Awesome. Thanks for the quick reply, appreciate it.

[done12many2]

Just now, MarioSaltalamacchia said:

Awesome. Thanks for the quick reply, appreciate it.

By the way, my wife has the crazy mix of alcohol, vinegar and something else that she made up for the kitchen counters.  It's now become my official go to rad cleaner.  She knows nothing of it.   

[FilipSebik]

Use distilled water to rinse it or water and dry it so it won't get any corrosion

[done12many2]

1 minute ago, FilipSebik said:

Use distilled water to rinse it or water and dry it so it won't get any corrosion

 

He was talking about the exterior of the rad.

[FilipSebik]

1 hour ago, done12many2 said:

 

He was talking about the exterior of the rad.

Me too

[done12many2]

Just now, FilipSebik said:

Me too

 

That is absolutely not necessary for exterior washing.

[FilipSebik]

1 hour ago, done12many2 said:

 

That is absolutely not necessary for exterior washing.

Tap water has minerals which could lead to corrosion of many metals including aluminium or copper

[done12many2]

Just now, FilipSebik said:

Tap water has minerals which could lead to corrosion of many metals including aluminium or copper

 

That's absolutely true if you leave it in said tap water for weeks or months.  This is a rinse and dry.

 

I guess one could seriously error on the side of caution and say that it's possible so what your saying isn't wrong by any means.  It just unrealistic to believe that such a limited exposure will lead to any signs of corrosion.    

[done12many2]

6 minutes ago, FilipSebik said:

Tap water has minerals which could lead to corrosion of many metals including aluminium or copper

By the way, I noticed that you're using JayzTwoCent's photo.  Guess what he uses on the outside of his radiator?

[EX1]

Rinsing the outside of the radiator to clean it will not lead to corrosion lol!

OP- Just turn on the faucet and run the radiator through the water for a bit and then use the canned air to get the water out from between the fins. Or air dry if you aren't in a hurry.