Would it be safe to put the tube in a zip lock bag and put the bag in some warm water to soften up the TIM ?
I'm planning on putting this on my 295X2 but as it is now it comes out rock solid and I don't want to risk cracking the GPU dies.
Yes this is perfectly safe and indeed many people employ this method of 'warming' the tube up.
As for myself I just leave it under my armpit for 10 mins.
As for cracking a GPU core, thermal paste would not do that other circumstances would cause that issue but not ANY manufacturer's paste will not crack a GPU core.
Anyway ARMPIT method is the easiest solution, however use which method you feel most comfortable with.
As far as it coming out solid? YOU mean dried up? To be honest I have never had that (even long before working for ICD)
Long ago back in 2009 I received (when i first heard about ICD and did a review on the product)Ii received some ICD with the CLEAR tube tips of which I used for my own personal use ( started work with ICD in early 2014) these clear tubes are still usable and not dried out.
Regards
Frost Dragon