How to chemical clean - Aircon/chiller
 

First of all you will need these tools.

CX -448 coil cleaner
This is a alkaline based coil cleaner. Once sprayed on aluminium or copper, it will start to foam and give off heat. The chemical reaction will loosen baked on dirt on the condensor coil

Evaporator coil cleaner
This is the safer but much more expensive used mainly for indoor aircon fan unit. Once sprayed, the foam will slowly work its way down the coil and eventually turn to liquid. No rinsing required.

Fin Brush
This brush is specially made for brushing coils, its stiff yet flexible enough not to damage the coil fins.

Fin Comb
This comb is for straightening bent fins back into shape. The coil fins if bent, it reduce airflow thus reducing efficiency.

High pressure spray
You need this to clean off the CX448 after 10-15mins

This is the condensor coil, I'm going to clean today. Its already been dry cleaned by brushing and the bulk of the dirt is already removed.

I did not take photos of the chemical reaction since I'm working alone today but I'm going to describe what will happen.

Even with brushing, dirt will still coat the condensor fins thus you need the help of CX-448.

Once CX-448 were sprayed on the condensor coil, it will start to foam after abt 30secs. White foam will turn to yellow as the dirt are being removed, heat will also be given out. Allow abt 10-15mins for reaction and rinse off with freshwater. For my case, I allowed only 5mins (first time doing :p ) before rinsing off.

This is the coil after cleaning! much cleaner and shiny! ;)

Chemical cleaning should be done once or twice annually to keep yr aircon/chiller working at top efficieny. Dirty coils will increase power consumption by abt 10-20%.

So why pay $150+ or more for chemical clean when you can DIY? ;)

Bro u take out ur whole aircon compressor?:eek:

No lah, I removed the protective fin guard only

IC .........:p

Ah ha .. finally found time to do a chemical clean on my diy chiller!

Fully clogged with dirt and fur from my rabbit.... 3 months of abuse :(

10 secs after spraying CX 448 deep into the coil. White foam coming out

Foam turning yellowish, the foam is flushing out the dirt from within

Give it a good rinse with tapwater and you got a condensor coil as good as new!

close up of the condensor coil .. fully cleaned!

bro where to buy the brush & comb?

you can buy them here

Lion City Refrigeration Parts Pte Ltd
30, Hamilton Rd
Singapore 209199

thanks
power sia
neber tot i would be doing aircon maintenance myself :p

wahz so near my hse too

Look good like brand new.:p

Looks good..maybe it time to clean up my chiller using it also..perhaps can also advise on the price of the two chemical solution??
Thanks

Both cost abt $15. Just to note that the CX448 is a powerful alkaline and will burn sensitive hands. During the foaming process, fumes and heat will be given out. Be sure to do it in a ventilated area or keep away when its foaming.

let the CX448 react with the condensor for abt 15mins, the foam will slowly subside then give it a good rinse. Be sure to keep all electrical contacts away from water! ;)

i heard that using incorrect chemicals will make the fins or other metals part burn out and become thinner ? Is that true ?

of course, thats why you should always use the correct chemicals for cleaning

So the CX448 is meant for aircon cleaning ?

Really keen to try out the cleaning myself.. But saw from 1 post that there will be heat generated.. The chemical is so powerful ? It would not harm the fins etcs ?

looks good but my main unit is outside the windows....how to....

For the air-con unit inside the 3 rooms, i service myself. Dismantle the cover, filter and the main cover. Wash them up and next use a soft tooth brush and a small pail of water. Slowly brush down the fins and you can see the dirt being remove.

Take note, if 1st time do this very siong and take almost 3/4 day time. Neck and hand also very tiring but worth it. The 2nd time you do it will be a breeze. You will notice your room is colder than last time b4 cleaning.

Mee too. 1st time do very siong.

I remove the cover and filter of the unit inside the room. Then spray on the aircon cleaner. Using Mc-Klein air con cleaner. After the foaming etc. then use compressed air to blow out the dirt stucked inside the rotating fan and fins.

it will not harm the fins if used properly.

Oic. Shall drop ask my friend to drop by and buy for me as he stay nearer.

Btw any dos and don'ts of the chemical in order not to damage the air con ?

remember to rinse it after 15mins

It's really warm recently even at night....room temp. at 26deg even with aircon on...
so i figured it's time to clean my aircon.

just cleaned my unit using the spray-on cleaner...nice room temp. at 21 deg now...

thanks barra for the tip!

Just asked my friend to help me buy the CX448. Can the CX448 be used on the indoor air con unit ? or is it just for the outdoor condensor unit ?

Bro,
Just brushing with plain water is not so effective because our brushes cannot reach the inner side of the fin.
Annually you still need to do a chemical clean

Regards

Its not recommended to use CX448 for indoor fan unit as the chemical will give off fumes.

how abt spraying WD 40 as it is a solvent cum cleaner ?

That will cause the condensor fins to be coated with oil, reducing heat transfer from the air. Oily fins will be a magnet for dirt as well.

WD 40 is for lossen rusty parts. Although the coil cleaner is alkaline base but advisable to rinse it after u see the dirt coming out from the fins , cos in long time condition , it might damages the coil. Of the condenser is brnad new, and u do regular cleaning with water will do. But if your unit is very dirty, coil cleaner is a must to clear the dirt in it and better put on a mask when u do the cleaner and prevent chemical pouring at your hands. Cos the chemical will "bike" your hand....

Has anybody got experience cleaning the cylindrical blower in the cooling unit. Have try soaking in water but unable to effectively clean it.

I dont quite understand what cylindrical blower, you got photo?

Hi i wonder do i need to mix the CX448 with water? Wow! This is a very informative forum on aro and hardwzre!

I did a 50% dilution before and it still works well!