What do you use to clean off old thermal paste etc.

Aquilegia · **Posted:** Tue Jan 21, 2003 9:43 pm

Hi folks,

The articles I've read about changing a heatsink suggest using a "general purpose alcohol-based cleaner, and plastic scraper" to remove the old thermal paste or tape etc. What is a general purpose alcohol-based cleaner? I don't want to apply the wrong thing (eg. something to strong) to my cpu. Is a credit card a good plastic scraper? What do you folks use?

Thanks,
Aquilegia

TheMuffinMan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 21, 2003 9:53 pm

Isopropal (high purity, >90%), eyeglass cleaner cloth and a clean edge of an old credit card (not necessary sometimes)

You can use a knife, but I don't highly recommend that.

powergyoza · **Posted:** Tue Jan 21, 2003 10:46 pm

Aquilegia wrote:

What is a general purpose alcohol-based cleaner? I don't want to apply the wrong thing (eg. something to strong) to my cpu. Is a credit card a good plastic scraper? What do you folks use?

At a pharmacy/drug store look for isopropanol 99%. That's is a nice residue-free alcohol that's safe for cleaning CPUs. I use this with cotton swabs (Q-tips or any other brand) to clean.

Credit cards could be okay for getting most of if off quickly, but I think cotton swabs are safer, even if you need to use many.

Riffer · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2003 4:34 am

Don't bother with Alcohol etc.

Just get some un-du from Staples/Business Depot.

Takes it off better than anything, and comes with a plastic scraper.

You may want to wipe with common rubbing alcohol to finish, as un-du leaves a slight residue.

Goof-Off is almost as good, and should be available at Canadian Tire.

Rusty075 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2003 5:57 am

WD-40 also works great, just squirt alittle onto a cloth and rub gently. Then flip the cloth over to a dry spot and buff the residue off.

Ralf Hutter · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2003 6:52 am

Rusty075 wrote:

WD-40 also works great, just squirt alittle onto a cloth and rub gently. Then flip the cloth over to a dry spot and buff the residue off.

According to Arctic Silver's Instructions:

Quote:

"Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus based cleaners and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound."

I use regular acetone (an easy to find source is non-scented regualr nail polish remover) to remove the thermal compound on my CPUs and heatsinks. I put some on a rag and sort of soak the compound to soften it first, then apply more and wipe it clean. Acetone evaporates quickly and leaves no oily residue.

Rusty075 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2003 11:24 am

Hmm....Perhaps its time for me to change my habits.

That's what I get for not reading the directions

JarsOfFart · **Joined:** Sat Jan 25, 2003 10:28 am **Posts:** 85

I use Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol. It works great. It also worked well with removing the protective layer on plexiglas.

frodo · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2003 8:00 am

I typically start with some Electronics Degreaser (specifically designed for use on electronic equipment) to take most of it off, and the finish off with some >99% Isopropyl alcohol and a small lint free cloth (like the type used to clean glasses). Has work wonderfully for me in the past.

What do you use to clean off old thermal paste etc.

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