What do you use to clean off old thermal paste etc.
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What do you use to clean off old thermal paste etc.
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
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
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Re: What do you use to clean off old thermal paste etc.
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.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?
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.
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.
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.
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According to Arctic Silver's Instructions: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.
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."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."
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