Cleaning Arctic MX-4 with what?

[Blastman]

Suppose you get some MX-4 on some clothing -- or just cleaning it for reapplication. What can be used to clean this stuff?

I've tried acetone, Spiced Rum (yup … its got ethanol alcohol in it … 🙂), windshield washer fluid (methyl alcohol) and no luck so far dissolving this stuff.

I've read online that isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean MX-4 (which is why I tried the other alcohols). So will this work? I have to go buy some because I don't have any, but I don't want to go buy some and not have it work.

So, will isopropyl alcohol work, or should I be using something else?

 

[aigomorla]

In order of effectiveness.

Ether > Acetone > Alcohol.

if acetone aint getting it off then alcohol wont get it off, which means i dont think its MX-4 or its really really really grinded into the surface where u'll probably need to sand it off.

 

[Blastman]

I bought an Arctic Alpine 11 plus HSF, which comes with pre-applied MX-4. Accidentally touched the side of the HSF with MX-4 on it to some cotton cloth and I am trying to find something that will clean it off.

Was surprised acetone didn't work.

 

[MrTeal]

Never tried MX-4, but IPA cleans MX-2 fine, and other than CL Ultra I've never had it not take off a thermal compound. I use the 99.9% stuff though.

 

[PliotronX]

For grease on clothing in general, I usually make a concoction from iso, vinegar, and baking soda and scrub with a toothbrush. Too much of this will take color out of the fiber though, so there will come a point of diminishing returns and then the discoloration becomes more noticeable than the stain to begin with.

For metallic (heatsink) or glass (bare die), iso is normally all that is needed but for the pink crap they put on at factories, MLK (methyl-ethyl ketone) is a less volatile (read: doesn't evaporate as quickly) equivalent to acetone but is more toxic so I'd wear gloves with it. After that, I would try chlorinated brake cleaner. Try not to get either of these on anything but what you're cleaning though 🙂

 

[ClockHound]

You have to perform your consumer duty and purchase the Arctic MX-4 UnDo cleaner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

"ArctiClean 1 uses a proprietary combination of non-toxic biodegradable solvents to emulsify thermal greases or thermal pads. The citrus and soy based solvents in ArctiClean 1 match or exceed many hazardous and volatile solvents such as fluorinated and chlorinated organic solvents, acetone, MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, and toluene. "

Plus its Lemon-Fresh scent makes TIM stain removal fun again! ;-)

 

[Blastman]

update.

Picked up some isopropyl alcohol last week. They sell it at pharmacies -- rubbing alcohol in 70% and 99.9% concentrations. Bought the 99.9% stuff.

Did a fairly good job of getting the MX4 off the cotton fabric. A slight stain remains, but otherwise not bad.

The iso did an excellent job of cleaning the old thermal paste (AS Cermamique) on my i3 CPU.