Over time, circuit boards get dirty from dust build-up and accidental spills. Even in the cleanest homes there will be dust on the boards. Every time the unit is turned on there is an electric field that attracts dust. It is part of owning an electrical appliance. Dust and dirt on a circuit board will not allow the heat to escape causing the board to heat up. Failures in the circuit from overheating are expensive to repair, which makes it important to clean the circuit boards from time to time.
Instructions
1 Make sure there is no electrical power going into the circuit board you wish to clean. Remove the batteries or unplug the power cord before you touch the circuit board.
2 Spray the dust off all the parts inside the unit being cleaned using the can of compressed air according to manufactures instructions. Spray in short bursts. Wait a minute or two for the dust to settle then spray again. Spray at different angles to get into the corners of parts.
3 Unplug any cables or parts from the circuit boards that are designed to be removed for replacement purposes. Jot down the location of each part to make sure they go back in the correct spot.
4 Moisten the tip of your brush with rubbing alcohol. Dab the brush on the paper towel to remove any excess moisture on the brush. Brush the circuit board using the tip of the brush only with just enough pressure that the bristles bend slightly. Start from one corner of the board and work across. Remove the dust buildup on the brush by dragging your fingers down the bristles pulling dust off the end of the bristles. Moisten the brush periodically and dab the excess moisture off on a paper towel. Yellowing on the board often comes from the solder flux used and is normal.
5 Let everything air dry for five minutes. Blow compressed air from the can over the contacts in the parts and wires and any connectors on the circuit board to remove any dust. Plug the cables and parts back onto the board.
6 If you have access to the back of the circuit board, clean that area using the same method used in step four. Check all the solder joints to see if any look cracked or burned. If you find damage, it should be repaired to increase the life of your unit.
