How to clean off thermal paste?

Scam · 27 May 2013 at 12:08

I'm in the middle of replacing the motherboard on my mum's pc. Ripped everything out, now looking at a very gunky cpu and heatsink. Quick Google recommends cleaning both with rubbing alcohol but I haven't got any of that. What's the next best thing? I do have thermal paste to reapply, fortunately!

Thanks.

Sin_Chase · 27 May 2013 at 12:09

Probably not supposed to but I always use a little white spirit on the ends of cotton buds, then once the gunk is cleaned away, wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. Never had any problems personally.

kyle1970 · 27 May 2013 at 12:23

some people r going to cringe and probably slate me for saying this,but ive taken to using petrol! yep petrol,bit of kitchen roll and just a tiny drip of petrol it does an amazing job.in the past ive use nail polish remover white spirit and all sorts,never once had a problem

just be carefull with what ur doing and ur be ok.

Deleted member 77746 · 27 May 2013 at 12:29

Toilet roll rubbing does the trick. Rub rub rub.

d_brennen · 27 May 2013 at 12:30

There should be a sticky thread for this

Kitchen roll + lighter fluid > all

phil-k · 27 May 2013 at 12:31

Isopropyl Alchohol

Scam · 27 May 2013 at 12:41

Thanks. I've found some white spirit, didn't realise that's what the yanks mean by rubbing alcohol! Whilst we're here, do you guys opt for putting a dab of thermal paste and just letting the heatsink smoosh it around, or do you rub it around to make a thin layer? It's been a while since I've done this

DaleTheWhale · 27 May 2013 at 12:45

Pea sized in the middle seems to do the trick nicely.

andy_mk3 · 27 May 2013 at 12:46

ArctiClean, cos it smells so good!

troops · 27 May 2013 at 12:46

Kitchen roll, simple

Smoogels · 27 May 2013 at 12:53

I normally just use nail polish remover

To apply thermal paste I normally just use a pea sized blob at the centre.

RSRAVI · 27 May 2013 at 13:20

Isopropyl Alchohol best stuff

trickynickyuk · 27 May 2013 at 13:38

Isopropyl Alchohol will do the trick also nail varnish remover or anything alcohol based

also there should be a sticky thread so common this is asked

RHS · 27 May 2013 at 13:39

Acetone works great. Available from your local pharmacy.

Incidentally it is the main liquid used in nail polish remover just none of the fragrance and other stuff added. Make sure you use gloves with the stuff as its not so good for your skin.

Isopropyl Alcohol will work too as it is also a solvent.

OliverDavis · 27 May 2013 at 14:10

I use GF's Nail polish remover and it works a treat.

To all these guys saying a pea sized dot, either elaborate or keep quiet.

This is a pea; https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=marrowfat+pea&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=pFqjUcC_L8HmPKfQgdAN&biw=1280&bih=923&sei=plqjUdvEDMe-PNXzgOgF

This is also a pea; https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&gs_rn=12&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=2YH6OWRbIVK6Ny9dSuNLSw&cp=10&gs_id=11&xhr=t&q=garden+peas&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47008514,d.ZWU&biw=1280&bih=923&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=3FqjUZLlC4HMPZXsgOAP

It is very unclear when you all say a pea sized dot. A BB Bullet or a 0.5*0.5*0.5 ball would help a lot more.

Jony27 · 27 May 2013 at 16:21

acme15 said:
I use vodka to clean it off because i'm hardcore and stuff...

Kosmiche · 27 May 2013 at 16:35

I use Akasa TIM clean, can't remember what I used previously.

This http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK

1 bottle should last forever.

darael · 27 May 2013 at 17:31

Eames said:
I use Akasa TIM clean, can't remember what I used previously.

This http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK

1 bottle should last forever.

This. I've had my current bottle for about 10 years, The one thing I don't like about it though, is it doesn't dry as quickly as methylated spirits. So I like to quick a finishing cleaning with methylated spirits after cleaning with Akasa TIM.

KelDG · 27 May 2013 at 18:05

Another vote for Isopropyl alcohol, evaporates in seconds. Also use a microfibre cloth not kitchen roll, no fibres will be left behind. Remember you can't see all the crap left behind after using crap materials.

fornowagain · 27 May 2013 at 18:27

Scam said:
Thanks. I've found some white spirit, didn't realise that's what the yanks mean by rubbing alcohol!

It's not, white spirit (mineral spirits US) is a turps substitute for thinning paint or cleaning paint brushes or rollers. It leaves an oily residue. The Yanks rubbing alcohol is what we call surgical spirit, mostly ethanol 70% by vol typ. Another similar ethanol product is the purple colored methylated spirit. Either acetone or ethanol will removed contaminants effectively, though I'd stick with IPA as it's less damaging to most plastics (except perspex) if you spill any.