thermal paste/cleaning

[QlimaxUK]

going to buy some TIM cleaner and the cheapo paste for my old P4 CPU (some may remember my last post)

i have chosen these 2 (as they are cheapest) (not happy about delivery may try a store)
Akasa AK-455 Thermal Compound
Akasa AK-TC TIM Clean CPU & Heatsink Cleaner
£9.95 total (inc delivery)

what i forgot to ask is which is the best way to 'clean n paste' my cpu, should i remove it and do it that way or is it safe to leave it in and do it?
if successful i may do my Q6600 too, to see if i can sort out my 70c load temps OR i may buy an after stock cooler (will need advice on this too) but i need it to be cheap but effective and i dont want one that come with one of those 'mounting brackets' or whatever there called (that means i would have to remove old mobo to do it )

i think thats all for now, thanks for your time

 

[BillytheImpaler]

You don't really need to buy special TIM cleaner. Any good solvent will do the trick. I use pure acetone but most use a nice high-concentration isopropyl alcohol like you might have in the medicine cabinet.

Use a clean lint-free cloth or tissue paper to do the deed. Heck, you can use the tissue paper alone to do it, it'll just take longer to mop all the gunk.

 

[QlimaxUK]

i have some 'low-lint' monitor wipes, would that be ok???

EDIT: just remembered another thing, is that thermal 'adhesive tape' stuff any good and is it possible to remove it, or wont i have to remove it again? (ok obviously not if i sell my old P4 rig ) but if i use it on my q6600 will i ever 'need' to remove it how good is it???