How to remove thermal paste?

[GamerMan3D]

I will be changing heatsinks in a matter of days and i wanted to know how to get thermal paste off. I have seen most people use paper towels and they that usually remove most of the paste. But then they use Isopropyl Alcohol to remove the rest. Is it important to remove all of the thermal paste or can i just use paper towels?

 

[dalewakelin]

I wouldnt use paper towels, they leave behind fibers. Use a micro fiber cloth and less than a dab of alcohol. It is better if it is 99%. Also dont use cotton or rice.

 

[Chris230291]

Micro fibre cloths still leave lint, just smaller lint that's not as visible. Best thing you can do is wash the rag first.

If you want to be anal you can use a tack rag to pick up any lint, but be mindful that the alcohol is completely evaporated as it will just pull the glue off of the tack cloth... Which is worse than the tiny amount of lint thats likly to be left behind.

 

[jamesriley94]

I've always just used kitchen roll and paper towels tbh. Never really done any harm.

Just don't go mental rubbing it off.

 

[PapaSmurf6768]

Coffee filters work wonders, no lint left behind.

 

[GamerMan3D]

I wouldnt use paper towels, they leave behind fibers. Use a micro fiber cloth and less than a dab of alcohol. It is better if it is 99%. Also dont use cotton or rice.

Micro fibre cloths still leave lint, just smaller lint that's not as visible. Best thing you can do is wash the rag first.

If you want to be anal you can use a tack rag to pick up any lint, but be mindful that the alcohol is completely evaporated as it will just pull the glue off of the tack cloth... Which is worse than the tiny amount of lint thats likly to be left behind.

Would this be fine instead of alcohol? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_128&item_id=026843

 

[jamesriley94]

Would this be fine instead of alcohol? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_128&item_id=026843

Yes - but you really don't need it IMO.

 

[Chris230291]

I just use these mate...

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/multi-purpose-wipes/0557067/

Only because we have them laying around though.

Chris.

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

I wouldnt use paper towels, they leave behind fibers. Use a micro fiber cloth and less than a dab of alcohol. It is better if it is 99%. Also dont use cotton or rice.

LoL matey !!!

I'm laughing so hard behind my screen right now!

 

[SeekaX]

I wouldnt use paper towels, they leave behind fibers. Use a micro fiber cloth and less than a dab of alcohol. It is better if it is 99%. Also dont use cotton or rice.

!!! food and clothes do not belong in a pc!!!

 

[dugdiamond]

easy tip:

pop the chip in the freezer for 30mins
then use an old credit card to scrape it off

the paste comes off very easily, in flakes and chunks

 

[GamerMan3D]

easy tip:

pop the chip in the freezer for 30mins
then use an old credit card to scrape it off

the paste comes off very easily, in flakes and chunks

Wouldn't that risk damage?

 

[allen]

I wouldnt use paper towels, they leave behind fibers. Use a micro fiber cloth and less than a dab of alcohol. It is better if it is 99%. Also dont use cotton or rice.

!!! food and clothes do not belong in a pc!!!

LoL matey !!!

I'm laughing so hard behind my screen right now!

:| gona be a on going thing me and my curry loop isnt it............

edit: forgot to put a LOL at the end :S

 

[tinytomlogan]

easy tip:

pop the chip in the freezer for 30mins
then use an old credit card to scrape it off

the paste comes off very easily, in flakes and chunks

Jesus I dont think Ive ever seen such bad advise!


Just wipe of the most of it with kitchen towel (paper) and then use tim cleaner afterwards if you really want.

 

[seumasbeathan]

As dalewakelin said, you are 'supposed' to use a micro fiber cloth and alcohol, but personally I have always found any type of tissue paper to work just fine tbh

 

[allen]

these are the best thing, i nicked a load from my old work i got a full box of them.. they are brilliant

 

[mastercrim]

I have been using coffee filters to clean cpu's for years