Alienware Desktops

[EdCo64]

Dear community,

I have a tip for cleaning your Alienware case outside panels.

Take a industrial Alcohol Propanol from at least 70%, make sure you have a can with a sprayer and mix 100ml Propanol with 150ml water, spray 8x = 0,25ml on a clean and soft cloth and gently wipe all panels.

I have a white R 13 and it looks amazing after 3 months, so bright!

[ProfessorW00d]

I'm really hoping that clear side panel is not made from acrylic.

[EdCo64]

Hello,

Propanol and/ or Isopropyl alcohol does NOT affect or damage the surface from Acrylic.

Only Petroleum derivates like Thinner are damage Acrylic.

So Propanol and Isopropyl alcohol are safe.

[ProfessorW00d]

this is false

Acrylic is an amorphous polymer that is principally soluble in isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol diffuses into the surface causing the polymer chains to swell, resulting in a phenomenon called 'crazing'.

[EdCo64]

Yes i know that and i'm not going to argue a specialist, thatswhy you mix with water.

I can take some picture's next time i'm cleaning again with Propanol and post them so that you can see its save.

[ProfessorW00d]

The crazing of acrylic by isopropryl alcohol is not an immediate event, but a process over time as the polymer chain structure weakens, eventually resulting in surface cracks.

As a note; we have not yet had any confirmation that the clear side panel is made from acrylic.

[EdCo64]

Oke, maybe i was a little premature about the isopropyl alcohol, but its definitily that propanol not affect even without water, i work as a CNC Engineer and we have a Datron M8 Cube, this machine is cooled with pure propanol and the main door at front your working area have a big window made of acrylic, and running now for a couple of years and the window is just like new. However, the guys i talked with say about isopropyl '' think so, gues it does'' , so forgive me for that. 

[Tesla1856 · Accepted solution]

I would recommend distilled water (it's plastic safe) . 100% cotton cloth or micro-fiber. 

You can also vacuum it off first (soft brush attachment).

If cleaning the dust from the inside  ... take outside and blow-out with air-compressor at 40-50psi. Be sure to get all fans, the video card, the power-supply, and the liquid-cooler's radiator.

[EdCo64]

Distilled water cleans nothing. So Propanol and / or Isopropyl like I said in my post.

Guidance for Keeping Your Dell Technologies Equipment Clean

[mako64]

I use one of these. I’m sure there are cheaper ones but you get what you pay for. When I use this tool I hold the fans while blowing the dust off. 

https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Powerful-Electronic-Environmentally-Friendly/dp/B01FWSYOME