When you need to reach into cramped quarters like a steering wheel or inside a keyboard, then you meet dirt and grime. It’s tempting to reach for compressed air as a simple solution. After all, a single dollar will buy a can of compressed air from your local dollar store.
That sounds like too good a deal to not work… right? Does that dollar can do the job? Or does it cause frustration or worse yet.
Damage? Lots of folks believe that “compressed air” is “compressed air”. But the science behind these aerosol products are far from what you might expect.
Is Dollar Store Compressed Air Worth Buying
The Truth About Dollar Store Compressed Air
What’s in the can matter. How the nozzle is designed matter. And most importantly, the type of propellant used matter.
Before you purchase it, you want to know what’s in that metal cylinder. What are the engineering compromises required to achieve its low price point? What will the can do, how long will it last, and what’s its risk for moisture?
Will the bargain cost you more money or make sense? A cheap can doesn’t hold as much air as a premium one. Those special refrigerants found in premium brand deliver a hard-hitting, dense and powerful jet.
The cheaper variety typically uses a lighter mix of propellants. So, prior to use, the can is lightweight. It contains more aluminum and less air.
This means that lightweight also equals less time. Whereas a typical premium 12-ounce can will last for two straight minutes on a spray, a dollar store can could be bone-dry after half-a-minute. That compounds pretty fast.
Cleaning your big ol’ desktop computer? You’ll go through three or four cheap cans where you’d only use one premium can. It is not so efficient with those dollars.
Inconsistent Pressure and Workflow Issues
The other problem is consistent pressure. Good cans has consistent pressure throughout. Poorer quality cans (those from the dollar store) may start out weak.
As the temp of the can fluctuates, so does the flow. It decreases significantly and becomes difficult to dislodge hard packed junk. You’ll find yourself shaking the can more frequently in hopes you will get a surge in pressure.
But alas, it doesn’t come. This breaks up the workflow. Electronics don’t do well around moisture.
The Danger of Condensation in Electronics
Gas expand quickly when sprayed from an aerosol can. That quick gas expansion lead to a decrease in temperature. Water vapor turns into liquid if the temperature decreases below the dew point.
Compressed air is notorious for this. The propellant mix in dollar store cans are not as refined. It may include hydrocarbons which expand and cool unevenly and quicker than other types.
One droplet of condensed moisture can ruin sensitive electronics component. It may cause corrosion that does not show up for weeks, or it may cause short circuiting. Some high end brands actualy put a drying agent in there to reduce it.
That’s why they cost more. The dollar store doesn’t come with that feature. With each pull of the trigger, you’re taking your chances.
You risk ruining pricey gear just to save some pocket change. Nozzle design matters too. The nozzles on cheap cans is usually just a straight straw.
Nozzle Design and Precision Control
This makes them hard to hold in place. They tend to slip around, leak, or spray in the wrong direction. Others dispense without a straw.
This forces a broad spray pattern that sprays out too much air and doesn’t give as much power to the jet. You don’t get to control where it’s spraying. When working with fragile parts, accuracy is important.
When Dollar Store Air Is Acceptable
But then again, so is the dollar store option, and there’s a good reason for it. When you have a pile of leaves on your patio table that needs sweeping away, or a layer of dust on your bookshelf, the dollar store can do the trick just fine. And in those instances, the cost isn’t high.
A light gust won’t rip out the vinyl seat. Wood furnitures won’t rot if left exposed to moisture. In cases like this, where the consequences aren’t dire, the cheap can get the job done easily.
Protecting Sensitive Equipment with Premium Brands
That doesn’t mean you should use it on anything delicate though. Skip the dollar store if you’re working on something like optics, musical instruments, or tech. Go ahead and invest in a can of real stuff from a good brand.
That little bit more is an insurance policy. It is a way to know what you’re getting that works, is safe, and has some oomph to it. With products, what matters is how well they do what you need them to do.
Compressed air from the dollar store won’t cut it when you need precision cleaning. Sure, it might be cheaper initially. But it will cost you time (and possibly cause some damage).
This is like trying to mix a thick substance with a plastic spoon. You’re going to have to do it longer, and you run the risk of breaking your spoon. A proper tool will keep your electronics safe.
Don’t settle for a cheap option for outdoors and rough surfaces. Peace of mind goes beyond the price difference. You don’t want to be worried about cleaning your gear.
Select the tool that will protect the device you are trying to keep. That’s good for your wallet in the long run and for your equipment too.
