How to clean thermal grease from CPU ?

[RocKKer]

Lacquer thinner works good too, I have used it since we were OC Intel celeron 300's, an old toothbrush to get around the edges of the CPU followed by an old lint free T-shirt, it evaporates very fast too, use it outside.
Also used in automotive to clean "to be" gasketed surfaces, removes all grease and oil leaving nothing behind, will soften/melt plastics, but doesn't hurt the PCB of the chip.

That said, Alcohol is cheaper/safer and as other have testified, works great.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Arcticlean from Arctic Silver, cleans better than anything and a $5 set of bottles works for 10-15 cleanings

 

[Dadofamunky]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
i use my tshirt

Oh ICK. OK, you heard the moderator, if it's good enough for him by God it's good enough for you!

No but seriously, I just use alcohol and cotton balls, and an ol' toothbrush for tight spaces.

Arctic just wants to steal your money. A single bottle of alcohol is good for hundreds of cleanings and costs a dollar.

Lacquer thinner LOL!!!!

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Dadofamunky

Originally posted by: Gillbot
i use my tshirt

Oh ICK. OK, you heard the moderator, if it's good enough for him by God it's good enough for you!
No but seriously, I just use alcohol and cotton balls, and an ol' toothbrush for tight spaces.

Arctic just wants to steal your money. A single bottle of alcohol is good for hundreds of cleanings and costs a dollar.

Lacquer thinner LOL!!!!

:laugh:

Tshirt gets the bulk of the goop off easiest. If it needs it, I'll give it a polish with paper, usually just printer paper or whatever is handy. I seriously don't put that much effort into it. I used to but after many many many test runs, I can't see a noticeable difference between a quick clean and glob of goop vs. a super clean and precise application so meh.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: Absolution75
I think the easiest and most efficient way to remove the thermal paste is nail polish remover. I try to find the extra strength stuff with at least 85% acetone (its a solvent).

Its really cheap, just make sure you don't get it with any additives. Technically you could go as low as maybe 70% acetone (or even 65? never tried it), you'll just have to wait for the water to evaporate off the heatsink and cpu.

If you have CVS in your area, they sell 99% acetone nail polish remover in a life sized bottle for about $2.00. You'll use maybe a caps worth.


Also, for the actual removing of it, I tend to just use paper towels or q-tips. Cotton is supposed to be the best.

Be careful about some acetone nail polish removers because they contain perfumes. It can also eat away at some plastics so I always use a q-tip to apply it and wipe away the residual thermal paste.

Best bet is denatured alcohol though. That stuff is good and safe.