Cleaning of thermal grease...

[Tab]

I've used Windex on my AMD XP Processor and my brand new X800XL to put on a Zalman VF-700... Is this a bad or good idea? It seems to evaporate quicky, I don't think any of the chemicals in windex could go through a ceramic or metal casing..

 

[11427]

Dunno for sure,... I use Goof Off.

 

[leedog2007]

i've heard 90% or better iso alcohol.

 

[MisterChief]

Isopropyl alcohlol works fine.

 

[leedog2007]

Thats how you spell it, isopropyl, thanks, I didn't want to look like a moron and add too many p's

 

[MisterChief]

Originally posted by: leedog2007
Thats how you spell it, isopropyl, thanks, I didn't want to look like a moron and add too many p's

:thumbsup:

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Tabb
I've used Windex on my AMD XP Processor and my brand new X800XL to put on a Zalman VF-700... Is this a bad or good idea? It seems to evaporate quicky, I don't think any of the chemicals in windex could go through a ceramic or metal casing..

I think bad. Its gonna have other compound in it which will hinder the thernmal transfer properties of your TIM.

 

[PumkinFest]

Acetone works great (aka nail polish remover-if you happen to have any laying around

 

[bluestrobe]

Originally posted by: PumkinFest
Acetone works great (aka nail polish remover-if you happen to have any laying around

Never had luck other than smearing the TC all around the die using Acetone. Windex is a no-no as it has dust inhibiting chemicals in it. This is the same reason most decal and adhesive companies advise against using it to clean a surface you want to adhere something to. 90% Isopropyl alcohol can be had at any drug store for under $1 USD per bottle so its hard not to have some when needed.

 

[Fern]

DONT use fairy liquid either (finger nail polish). If you read the ingredients, its got all kind of crap other than acetone in it. (geletin, fragrances etc.)

 

[Erok55]

isopropyl alcohol is what you want to use

i forget what % but i usually just use rubbing alcohol and it works fine its only like 70% which i think is low, but ive never had any problem

 

[akugami]

Windex and other common household cleaners leave a residue. How that affects thermal transfer or if it has any adverse effects on your thermal compound is unknown to me. I just use rubbing alcohol which is 70% isoproypyl. Use a non lint producing soft cloth to wipe it away.

 

[fAlCoNNiAn]

i use isopropyl, works like a charm to clean of AS/any kind of grease. i heat the heatsink/cpu to remove the thermal pads.

 

[Painman]

OOPS!

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: PumkinFest
Acetone works great (aka nail polish remover-if you happen to have any laying around

No, don't use nail polish remover. Most have nail conditioner in them, which is a type of oil. Oil is a big no no for good thermal transfer.

Isopropyl alcohol works decent. I personally prefer electrical contact cleaner. It works much easier, and faster then alcohol.

Everclear also works very good. 97.5% pure ethanol.

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

The best way is to use HOT water in a small dish mixed with a little dishsoap. Then use a Qtip to get as much dishsoapish water on the end and it sucks up the thermal grease. Then wipe dry and clean residue off with an alcohol of some sort...not Jack Daniels type...something pure.

 

[mondobyte]

"Rubbing" Alcohol commonly includes some oils and skin conditioning ingredients so you want to go for Isopropyl Alcohol 90+% ...

Denatured Alcohol - the paint thinner type (Usually 95% Ethanol and 5% Methanol) is the best I've found at the price ... try the local hardware store or paint store.

I've also resorted to using 100% Methanol ... leaves no residue whatsoever and dries incredibly fast.

Worst case scenario is that I use some Lighter Fluid to clean off any adhesive residues then use Alcohol.

DO NOT USE Acetone ... it is extremely hazardous. Vapors are hazardous as well, it is absorbed directly through the skin!!!

I always wear surgical gloves when I do this stuff. Two reasons:

1. Prevents the oils in my skin from compromising the heat transfer compound and surfaces
2. Protects me from whatever nasty compounds I use.

Beware that latex gloves do NOT stop acetone.

Also ... most nail polish removers are no longer acetone. Federal regulations prevent the sale of acetone for that use.

Windex contains some alkali components that can corrode the surface of the heatsink and/or metal surfaces of the CPU. Even on Athlon chips, there are exposed bridges and such.

Goop is petroleum based ... i.e. ... OIL ... case closed on that

Finally, I rinse the surface of the die with denatured alcobho, scrub around with a cotton swab then rinse it again with denatured alcohol. NO WIPING. I usually use a bit of canned "AIR" to hasten the evaporation of the alcohol, if necessary. Because I do not wipe, there is no possibility of any residue.

mondo

 

[Slaimus]

http://www.svc.com/acclean-60ml.html

 

[Cheesetogo]

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: PumkinFest
Acetone works great (aka nail polish remover-if you happen to have any laying around

No, don't use nail polish remover. Most have nail conditioner in them, which is a type of oil. Oil is a big no no for good thermal transfer.

Isopropyl alcohol works decent. I personally prefer electrical contact cleaner. It works much easier, and faster then alcohol.

Everclear also works very good. 97.5% pure ethanol.

Kind of ironic that they call it thermal Grease.

 

[bgc99]

Goof Off for the initial removal of the compound. I don't recall where, but Goof Off was recommended on one of the heatsink manufacturer's website.

Then use a lint free cloth (found in optical supplies at drug store) with 90% isopropyl alcohol for the final clean up.

BGC

 

[RelaxTheMind]

i use soapy hot water and paper towels to clean unless its copper (copper doesnt like moisture/oxygen) then i use the iso-alcohol. maybe im just not as paranoid as some of you.

for cheapsinks i use ultra fine steel wool to polish then wet sand 1500/2000 grit to rubbing compound to non-wax polishing compound and then maybe soap and hot water.

shaves off maybe 1º-3º or so depending on how crappy the finish is/was on your heatsink.

note: oils are bad because they liquify at higher temperatures though not conductive would leak some compounds all over the place.