Clearing thermal paste

iviv

iviv

iviv

Soldato
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Household things please! Brother's back from Uni for the summer, decided I'd give him my old PC. I've got all the parts, but the CPU and stock heatsink still have old thermal paste on them. I've got some AS5 to put back on it, but don't have any thermal paste remover. So, what's the best household material I'd be likely to have around that can remove it?
Thanks :)
 
See if you have any record cleaner (the old LP vinyl disks) or indeed cd cleaner fluid. That's isopropyl and is ideal for the job as it dries with no residue. I have heard of people using nail varnish remover but i've never dared use it, as it will leave residue.
 
Unfortunately I dont' have any record cleaner or nail varnish. Just tried calling up my local Boots, they have some of those wipes which have 70% isopropyl alcohol, but that's the best they had. Worth buying and using, or not high enough proof?

A certain online electronics retailer is also in the area, but they're selling a 500ml thing for £10 which is a little too much for this.
 
iviv said:
Unfortunately I dont' have any record cleaner or nail varnish. Just tried calling up my local Boots, they have some of those wipes which have 70% isopropyl alcohol, but that's the best they had. Worth buying and using, or not high enough proof?

A certain online electronics retailer is also in the area, but they're selling a 500ml thing for £10 which is a little too much for this.
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just go to the local pharmacist and get some rubbing alcohol - thats what i did :)
 
Rubbing alcohol is in most cases isopropyl so it's the same difference ;)

£10 retail seems excessive, if it's TIM clean etc you're paying just for a name. Might be best to purchase a CD cleaner kit as it should include a cloth which helps sweeten the deal. Or indeed as panyan says any pharmacist will have isopropyl alcohol.

Note you said household items not what to go out and buy lol

*edit* it's best to "scrape" the worst of the old paste off the heatsink with an old credit card. Then use a small amount of iso on a cotton bud to gently clean the cpu and the rest of the residue off the heatsink if u plan to reuse it.
 
Note you said household items not what to go out and buy lol
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That was the original plan, but I want the system up and running today, and realised that I may not have anything here, in which case I want to get out before all the stores close.

As for pharmacists, lloyds pharmacy is closed, but I'm pretty sure Morrisons has a pharmacy, are they likely to have any?
Edit: Nope, they don't, and none at Tesco either :(
 
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That's why i suggested the cd cleaner kit. You wont use much of the cleaner at all, 500ml is WAY OTT! The cloth can be used to clean your screen too. I'd avoid the wipes as they usually have a fragrance added so will leave a residue. The cleaner kits also usually have a spray bottle which will help and you can keep it and refill once you need to with isopropyl bought from a pharmacy

You best get a move on fella ;)
 
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Just found:

Tape Head and Disc Drive Cleaner
Removes dirt, dust and tape oxides from audio and video recording heads
Suitable for use on computer disc drives
Contains IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) for quick and effective cleaning
Safe on plastic and rubber
Supplied in a 75ml aerosol can

Contains IPA, though doesn't say how much. Or I also found:

Electronic Solvent Cleaner
Ideal for use on video and audio heads
Evaporates in seconds
Removes flux, grease, oil and other common contaminants
Leaves no residue
Safe for use on most surfaces and materials
Supplied in a 200ml can .

Would either of those do the job? Both less than £4, too.
 
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