[roach-commuter]

I recently acquired an old , used Sun E450. The left side panel which covers the main logic boards and cpus is coated in a black thick foam/sponge which has now turned into a black goop and if you touch it it will stick onto your fingers. I have had similar experiences in the past also with another SUN , an E250. Anybody knows what is the best way to handle this? Can I remove it without the fear or overheating ? Is it there for heat or for 'noise-canceling' purpose? Any recommendations on how to clean it up? Thanks!

[vishnu]

Best way is to find a vendor in your area that has a 99% isopropyl alcohol vibrating bath.

[jan-jaap]

I don't think SUN was much concerned with noise when they built this. It may have been for airflow purposes, like you see on this ONYX power board, and on baffle boards too

[roach-commuter]

for context

[vishnu]

When I fire up my Sun Blade 2500, it's like sitting next to a Boeing 747 at full throttle going down the runway. It's been on my todo list for years to find quieter fans with the same throughput. Yeah, someday...

[johnnym]

for context

Ha, the first picture looks like a topograhic map of some mountainous region.

BTW, had the same issue on my E450 since I own it. I left it untouched. Interestingly my E250s don't have foam in the covers (not one of the five I have). Maybe special equipment.

[robespierre]

That stuff looks like polyurethane foam. If you have a source of technical heptane, or just naphtha, it should be fairly easy to dissolve the adhesive and peel off what remains of the foam.
Loading solvent into a syringe and applying it between the foam and the panel would be the easiest way.

[roach-commuter]

That stuff looks like polyurethane foam. If you have a source of technical heptane, or just naphtha, it should be fairly easy to dissolve the adhesive and peel off what remains of the foam.
Loading solvent into a syringe and applying it between the foam and the panel would be the easiest way.

I think I am gonna go this route. Probably dissolving it will be the easiest thing to do. Any tips what I might use as a replacement once I get rid of it? Any modern materials that can be used for airflow control ?

[Raion]

For removing the butyl shit mentioned in the initial:

Denatured alcohol works well. Not acetone or naphtha. Another good option if it's on plastic that you're worried about getting discolored is WD-40. Basically it's mostly kerosene and fish oil

[Raion]

For removing the butyl shit mentioned in the initial:

Denatured alcohol works well. Not acetone or naphtha. Another good option if it's on plastic that you're worried about getting discolored is WD-40. Basically it's mostly kerosene and fish oil. That and a crap wood chisel will make short work of that although you can try using a razor blade as well

Reason I would be concerned about using hexane is that it will eat through plastic