Best way to clean a platter of finger print

[SlingShot]

I tried to clean a finger print from a platter using isopropyl but it leaves residue when evaporated.

How do you guys go about successfully cleaning a platter ?

[lcoughey]

I don't suggest you try licking it.

[SlingShot]

Glad you said that Luke, was thinking it may have helped

[fzabkar]

Precision Cleaning for Hard Disk Drives:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/3MNovec_LA/Home/Applications/PrecisionCleaning/HardDiskDrives/

[SlingShot]

Precision Cleaning for Hard Disk Drives:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/3MNovec_LA/Home/Applications/PrecisionCleaning/HardDiskDrives/

Do I need to have an ultra sonic bath to use this or is there some sort of cloth it can be applied to ?

[fzabkar]

I would ask "a 3M precision cleaning expert":

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/3MNovec/Home/Support/RequestTechnicalAssistance/?page=PrecHardDiskDrives

[pcimage]

I have made many enquiries into trying to buy Novec from 3M or finding a disti, but no response whatsoever

[SlingShot]

I would ask "a 3M precision cleaning expert":

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/3MNovec/Home/Support/RequestTechnicalAssistance/?page=PrecHardDiskDrives

Will have to work out how to find the English version of that Russian page first.

Another forum is telling me to use Ethanol.

[SlingShot]

I have made many enquiries into trying to buy Novec from 3M or finding a disti, but no response whatsoever

Sean are you back ?

[fzabkar]

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/104172O/3mtm-novectm-71da-engineered-fluid.pdf

3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid is a hydrofluoroether, Methyl Nonafluorobutyl Ether (C4F9OCH3), in an azeotrope formulation with trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (t-DCE) and ethanol.

The ethanol component of Novec 71DA fluid provides enhanced removal of ionic contaminants.

Cleaning of oils, greases, waxes, handling oils and solder flux residue

[LarrySabo]

I tried to clean a finger print from a platter using isopropyl but it leaves residue when evaporated.

What was the purity of the IPA and was it fresh or had it been used before and sitting around a while? I'd try again using fresh 99.9% IPA and a cleanroom wipe. IPA is very hydroscopic and absorbs moisture from the atmosphere; the water content may be responsible for the smears.

[Blizzard]

If it's just one fingerprint then I would try to avoid using any chemicals on the platter. You could probably remove the print using a good cleanroom swab (Foamtec, Texwipe). You could use a cleanroom wipe too but be careful, the cheap ones might actually have chemicals on them or they might leave behind microfibers which will end in catastrophic failure. I recommend finger-printing a test drive, cleaning it with the solution you have decided upon, and then test the recovery. If it works, test it again. Once you are happy with your tests then proceed with customer data recovery. Always treat platters as if they are more delicate than you imagine they are, even if you already imagine that they are the most delicate surface

[pcimage]

I have made many enquiries into trying to buy Novec from 3M or finding a disti, but no response whatsoever

Sean are you back ?

Yep!

[scratchy]

I have made many enquiries into trying to buy Novec from 3M or finding a disti, but no response whatsoever

I got a response but they sell to wholesalers. With minimum order quantities. I asked for wholesaler list and I am still waiting. At leat 3 years. I think it's also known as hard disk spray

[fzabkar]

http://www.besttechnologyinc.com/precision-cleaning-chemistries/3m-novec-engineered-fluids-solvents/

Here are a few examples of the 3M Novec line of chemistries Best Technology stocks:

3MTM NovecTM Engineered Fluids / Cleaners for Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing

3MTM NovecTM 7100 Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 7200 Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 71IPA Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 71DE Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 71DA Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 72DA Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 72DE Engineered Fluid
3MTM NovecTM 73DE Engineered Fluid

[SlingShot]

I have made many enquiries into trying to buy Novec from 3M or finding a disti, but no response whatsoever

Sean are you back ?

Yep!

Cool, be in touch in the morning m8