Bought hardware from a smoking home

[Slottr]

I recently bought a PS4 from someone who smoked heavily. The console is quite stinky and would like to defuse it or get rid of it completely. 

Had this a couple times with PC parts too.

 

Anyone have any tips and tricks?

[Jimkirk363]

I recently used had a 10 year old PC given to me which im using as a server and the owner was a heavy smoker and i used CIF to scrub it down.

[Slottr]

3 minutes ago, jimkirk363 said:

I recently used had a 10 year old PC given to me which im using as a server and the owner was a heavy smoker and i used CIF to scrub it down.

You used cif to scrub down components or just the casing? (assuming the latter)

[Jimkirk363]

Casing obviously and bought new case fans so the smell of smoke wouldnt waft around.

[Slottr]

Just now, jimkirk363 said:

Casing obviously and bought new case fans so the smell of smoke wouldnt waft around.

Gotcha, I'll consider it.

[Imbellis]

I'd try getting as much airflow through it as possible.

In addition, if possible, I'd recommend taking it apart and spraying down the parts with compressed air.

[Slottr]

3 minutes ago, Imbellis said:

I'd try getting as much airflow through it as possible.

In addition, if possible, I'd recommend taking it apart and spraying down the parts with compressed air.

Yeah I was considering it. Not too sure how difficult it is to dissect a ps4 though. Still gotta do some research.. iFixit here I come!

[ARikozuM]

I've removed it with alcohol and thorough cleaning. The plastic is going to be much harder to clean. Might have to take several attempts at running a sponge and warm water and baking soda (but this may mar the finish). 

[Slottr]

5 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

I've removed it with alcohol and thorough cleaning. The plastic is going to be much harder to clean. Might have to take several attempts at running a sponge and warm water and baking soda (but this may mar the finish). 

Did a good scrub on the case already, started with a white dish cleaner and threw out a yellow one (gag). Qtipped everything and used makeup application type tools to get into the corners and little edges.

 

Exterior is completely clean and actually really deteriorated the smell. How do you think I should go about cleaning the pcb and fans?

[ARikozuM]

Just now, Slottr said:

Exterior is completely clean and actually really deteriorated the smell. How do you think I should go about cleaning the pcb and fans?

Dunk them into alcohol or spray them down with alcohol. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself and the board while you do so. 

 

Toothbrush, finger brush, microfiber, etc. for the fans and the PCB just needs a soft toothbrush and a spraying of alcohol. 

[Slottr]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

Dunk them into alcohol or spray them down with alcohol. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself and the board while you do so. 

 

Toothbrush, finger brush, microfiber, etc. for the fans and the PCB just needs a soft toothbrush and a spraying of alcohol. 

Sweet, I'll take a try at it soon here. Thanks!

[TetraSky]

+1 for disassembling and use alcohol to wipe it down with a very soft brush.
There isn't many ways to get rid of the smell other than a thorough clean up... or Fire.

Be sure to allow the board time to dry, even if it's alcohol, if there's a pool of it somewhere, it may take a bit longer than usual to dry.

[wasab]

51 minutes ago, Slottr said:

I recently bought a PS4 from someone who smoked heavily. The console is quite stinky and would like to defuse it or get rid of it completely. 

Had this a couple times with PC parts too.

 

Anyone have any tips and tricks?

Lick it clean 

[Beef Boss]

Run it through the dishwashrr

[JCBiggs]

Just take it an apart and hit it with alcohol. Or u can use distilled water then alcohol then a trip to the oven.  Just don't get any liquid in obviously bad places.  Like the laser. Chances are the electronics are just as grimy as the case due to airflow. 

[kilgore_T]

I fear that the only way out is to take up smoking

[Automobili3XF]

You could pick it up, bring it down to just the mainboard and spray the mainboard with brake or contact cleaner, that should get rid of ash smell, i had the "luck" to pick 3 vintage amplifiers with the same issue and that's how i dealt with them, my personal Onkyo amp was particularly stinky, but now it just smells like electronics should.

However, take care with the plastics, both solutions can and will damage plastic parts, so i wouldn't recommend spraying them on the case of the console, or you may end up a "marbled" finish on it, i would suggest just using water and letting it dry on its own to avoid warping by heat. 

Batteries too, make sure you remove all the batteries on the console and PC components, both solutions can cause short circuits on MBs. 

[atomburst]

10 hours ago, Slottr said:

I recently bought a PS4 from someone who smoked heavily. The console is quite stinky and would like to defuse it or get rid of it completely. 

Had this a couple times with PC parts too.

 

Anyone have any tips and tricks?

Maybe a deoderizing air spray? make sure to not get any inside obviously but maybe if you sprayed it on a paper towel and wiped the outside. COuld be bad idea, just brainstorming.