isopropyl alchohol, where would i get it from?

[w3bbo]

I used to use nail polish remover and never had any problems, I have recently got hold of some isopropyl from a 'local electronics store' in a spray can guise, gonna give it a go tonight when I remount the BT.

 

[Rex-Kramer]

I use Smirnoff Blue.

Pretty expensive way to clean a heatsink or cpu !

 

[Matt82]

Sorry but no, it very definitely isn't... The reason being that although acetone is a potent solvent, in nail polish remover they add extra oils (to protect the nails) which remain after the acetone has evaporated. Further, acetone is capable of dissolving other things - the sealant of the IHS and circuitboard finishes are examples. Stay with alcohol instead...

prove it.

ive had my barton running highly overclocked for 3 years plus and has been cleaned numerous times with nail polish remover or white spirit. its running now, perfectly.

the tbred that i cleaned with nail polish remover is still running fine after god knows how many years.

 

[w3bbo]

I guess it depends on which nail polish you use. Some have 'softeners' and moisturisers (oil based?) as well as perfumes which wouldn't be so good imo. Better to go for the cheapest you can find. Got a few bizarre looks from the checkout girl when I bought some of the cheap stuff along with a pack of pantyliners..married life sux at times : ...hmmm pantyliners...will they clean AS5 if soaked with nail polish remover

 

[Fireblade2K4]

CD cleaning fluid is what I use and can be picked up very cheply at you local pound shop, there is one everywhere these days, also cd lens cleaning fluid, it is purley Isopropyl Alcohol and does the trick perfectly

Stu

 

[ChrisLX200]

prove it.

ive had my barton running highly overclocked for 3 years plus and has been cleaned numerous times with nail polish remover or white spirit. its running now, perfectly.

the tbred that i cleaned with nail polish remover is still running fine after god knows how many years.

Prove what? That nail polish remover contains oil additives, or that acetone will dissolve plastic/circuit board finishes/IHS sealant? I don't give a flying *** if yours has been running like forever, facts are facts.

 

[fornowagain]

The point is that using anything that leaves a residue may well work, but it won't work as well as it could if it were actually clean. Not just look clean.

 

[EYEREX]

Just cleaned my P4 up ready for a new heatsink with isopropyl alcohol

 

[Fireblade2K4]

Just cleaned my P4 up ready for a new heatsink with isopropyl alcohol

Thats dones the job for sure, looks like new again, shame its a P4 though

Stu

 

[EYEREX]

It's for my asus P4C800e going from a 2.6 to a 3.4 so will be it's last upgrade before i have to get new motherboard so the 3.4 will keep me going for a few more years.

 

[Philbill]

The reality is that the more volatile a solvent is the less time it hangs around and can therefore do damage. eg Acetone,DCM compared to IPA,IMS.They clean by dissolving oils and dirt in the solvent and this gets transfered to whatever cloth you use. Plastics that have been thermally hardened will be unaffected by acetone over short periods of time and even less by alcohols although the former can strip paint so beware
An example of the power of DCM on plastic..At work we had a snapped chess piece so we applied DCM to each end and put the 2 together and the plastic has joined as though it were welded
Phil

 

[Black Knight]

Used to use Trike (trichloroethylene) at work (not for removing HS residue!) before it was reclassified as a category 2 carcenogen

Just don't try moving it around in plastic cups!

Cleaned white boards a treat though