how to remove thermalpaste?

b-star · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:46

hello,
today received new CPU cooler, so i removed, and on CPU still old thermalpaste!
so i have to remove it? and than apply new one?

i and is thermalpaste coat should be really thin?

cheers

J.B · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:54

Thermal paste should be even and thin, its just to seal the gap between the CPU and heatsink because it is a better heat conductor than air!

removing, I think I tiny dab of white spirit on a cloth, but dont do that as I could be wrong!

lunarwolf · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:55

ArctiClean Thermal Material Remover and Surface Purifier - 60ml Kit

engstrom0304 · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:56

buy some arcticlean from overclockers!!! and use arcticlean 1 with a lint free cloth like a coffee filter then arcticlean 2.

RJC · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:56

What thermal paste are you using, if it is Arctic Silver check there web site for best ways of installing the paste.

b-star · 26 Jan 2009 at 18:58

uh, thanks, can i remove with simple cloth or tissue?

yep, it is Artic Silver 5

lunarwolf · 26 Jan 2009 at 19:01

i use a clean t-shirt and articlean (couple of drops)

apply a small drop of grease and spread thinly with a credit card

ConTRo13R · 26 Jan 2009 at 19:02

WD40 and some tissue, spray onto tissue wipe off

4T5 · 26 Jan 2009 at 19:04

ConTRo13R said:
WD40 and some tissue, spray onto tissue wipe off

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You would be better off using just kitchen towel than covering your components with WD40.
If you have Nowt else then use Lemon juice, otherwise get some TIM.

ConTRo13R · 26 Jan 2009 at 19:05

malc30 said:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You would be better off using just kitchen towel than covering your components with WD40.
If you have Nowt else then use Lemon juice, otherwise get some TIM.

Any reason? been using this method for years

b-star · 26 Jan 2009 at 19:57

if i remove only with glove and apply straight paste, will it be wrong?

lunarwolf · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:02

as long as it is clean before you apply the thermal grease, it's ok.

may as well add a drop of lemon juice as suggested to make sure it's clean.

shouldn't be catastrophic, but you may not get optimal cooling

b-star · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:06

can i drop a drop of real lemon?

Kennysevenfold · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:07

a little alcohol on a dry, lint free cloth...

willy · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:08

I used aceton to remove it with kitchen towel and then put cling film around your finger and apply some paste on your finger and apply it to your CPU.

That's what i did and working fine

lunarwolf · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:11

b-star said:
can i drop a drop of real lemon?

i personally haven't done it (hence my reco to use articlean), but have read many that have used lemon juice. just make sure you dont sqweeze pulp and lemon juice all over the motherboard

probably better to dampen kitchen towel or tshirt first then gently rub gunk off cpu

b-star · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:12

erm, i read on articsilver that acetone not recommended !

uh, removed it with tissue, looks clean...erm, so i try 0.1 gr of lemon

willy · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:15

Probably because they want public to buy their product

Before i did it, i read lots of reviews as well and most of them recommended either alochol around 95% i think and acetone (not nail polish remover).

engstrom0304 · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:21

Only use lint free clothes. Like a coffee filter. Also read here on how to apply arctic silver 5 http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm. Dont worry about the credit card thing...

engstrom0304 · 26 Jan 2009 at 20:31

wouldnt use lemon as there are bits in it that could effect contact with hsf.
Arcticlean is FINE!!!