Any secret to removing silver off a cpu?

[Cybordolphin]

Need to clean up my CPU.... and has quite a bit of silver residue on it. What works for removing.

Thanks

 

[pbroussard]

I use acetone, but most use rubbing alcohol. Acetone cuts through it extremely fast. Just dampen a napkin with it.

Paul

 

[Rkonster]

Yeah, acetone is probably the best, but I have had success using plain Isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

 

[Zebo]

Acetone is a little harsh on the resin that binds the die. I would start with mineral spirits if possible or 90% alcohol.

 

[Zebo]

From AS site:


Removal Instructions (From Hardware)
1. Arctic Silver thermal compound can easily be removed from hardware using the proper cleaners and tools. For general clean-up, a cloth or paper towel will work well. Intricate cleaning can be accomplished with Q-tip swabs. An old toothbrush can often get the compound out of crevices that other tools cannot reach.
The recommended cleaners are:

CPU Core:

Use isopropyl alcohol or acetone (nail polish remover) and a bit of careful rubbing.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)


Heatsink:

Use xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.) or mineral spirits.

Remember:

Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be applied over the remnants of the original material.

Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus based grease removers and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound.


CPU Ceramic:

Use any of the following cleaners.

Any dish detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.)
Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher to clean a CPU.

WD-40, citrus based grease removers (Goo Gone, Etc.)

Xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners)

Mineral spirits. (Be careful to keep the mineral spirits away from the core.)


Once the majority of the compound has been removed from the ceramic, small patches remaining on the ceramic can be 'erased' with a soft eraser.




2. If you use any of the suggested products to remove Arctic Silver thermal compound from the CPU ceramic or heatsink base, always do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the cleaner.


Removal Instructions (From You)
1. Wash your hands with any dish washing detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.) rather than hand soap.
(Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher.)

 

[hardass]

I used WD-40 on mine, didnt hurt it at all, got off all the Arctic Silver.

 

[cookieman]

I used erasers one time and it worked best for me.

Cheers,

 

[WhiteMyth]

If you do use acetone, make sure you clean the cpu w/ iso alchohol after.