Thermal Paste on underside of cpu

[mattyfez]

Yeh I think you're worrying too much.
Just gently wipe it, if there's lots of paste just keep using a new bit of cloth with fresh alcohol..
Then let it dry which won't take long as it evaporates quickly.

 

[Aberfala]

I've done this loads of time and just use this stuff https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akasa-ak-tc-tim-clean-cpu-and-heatsink-cleaner-oa-001-ak.html nice citrus smell too boot

 

[voidshatter]

Thanks for the replies, what kind of cloth should I use? Lint free?

+1 for ArctiClean.

I used "Pec-Pad" cloth (won't link a shop here as it's not OcUK). Get 1-2 drops on the cloth and gently wipe it off from the CPU. Be sure not to over-dose the ArctiClean.

Pec-Pad is very safe because it's designed to clean film and digital camera's image sensor.

 

[8 Pack]

PCB cleaning spray also good. Alcohol or any of the various products available for paste removal this is no issue at all.

 

[Mayh3M]

My concern is that the part of my CPU that was cleaned now appears permanently darkened. I'm sure it will work but what do you guys think?

 

[somethingbrite]

Isopropyl - easily found and very cheap. Maplin probably have it, if not try your local chemists.

I also use electronic contact cleaning sprays a lot. However make sure to get one with no lubricating oil added. (Basically you are looking for aerosol isopropyl alcohol.) - although I really only use sprays if I need to blast into small areas that a cotton bud soaked in isopropyl will not fit - or if the surface being cleaned might be sensitive to scratching.

 

[Mayh3M]

I cleaned my CPU with isopropyl (ArctiClean). See picture above. It has left a darkened patch.

 

[muon]

I'm not sure what Articlean uses but it doesn't sound like it is just isopropyl 99%.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

Flash corrosion inhibitors?

In the future I recommend just going on ebay and buying a litre of isopropyl 99% for like a £6. Isopropyl leaves no residue.

 

[Mayh3M]

Flash corrosion inhibitors, whatever they are, are in the purifier not the cleaner. I only used the cleaner.

But yeah looks like it uses stuff other than isopropyl too.

 

[mattyfez]

It's fine, lol, just run it.

 

[8 Pack]

Man really who cares about slight darkening . Dash it in fire it up. It will be totally fine.

 

[Mayh3M]

Thanks all. Might seem silly but your reassurances are exactly what I'm looking for.

Cheers.

 

[EsaT]

Are you sure it's safe to use on the underside of the chip? I don't want to be shelling out a couple of hundred quit after finding it out it irreparably damages the chip.

IPA/isopropyl alcohol/isopropanol is likely used in industry for lots of cleaning.
Already because it's plastics friendly, unlike other common solvent acetone.

If only you knew how nonreactive gold is. You could probably clean it with acid.

You could say: When there's problem, there's always solution to it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia
And chlorine trifluoride would likely treat gold just as it treats asbestos, concrete, sand, water or about anything.