CPU Cooler + Q-Tips + Isopropanol = Mysterious Black Gunk???

[AmberClad]

So I'm scrubbing away at the bottom of my CPU cooler with some Q-Tips and isopropyl alcohol. And the Q-Tips keep coming up with some black stuff. I don't see the source of it anywhere on the heatsink. I thought isopropyl alcohol was supposed to be relatively safe. Is it reacting with the copper/residual thermal paste somehow? No matter how hard I scrub, I keep coming with more of the black stuff 😕 .

 

[Frostyrootbeer]

You should be fine, it's just residue. I've switched out mulitple heatsinks without problems from 'gunk'. Just make sure their are no visible globs from the grease. If you are really worried though, go for some artic silver articlean (10 bucks shipped from The egg) which is more effective than isoproyl. By the way, what sort of isoproyl are you using? The higher the purity the better (I use 90%).

Hope that helps

 

[AmberClad]

It's 70%. Higher grade stuff seems to be a little tough to find.

The heatsink is one of those Zalmans composed of a bunch of fins stuck together. I guess it could be leftover thermal paste that got trapped in the tiny spaces between the fins. But it's black 😕 . I hope I'm not rubbing the Q-Tips hard enough against the thing to char something, especially with flammable liquids around :laugh: .

 

[TheMold]

Is what you are scrubbing copper? If so you might be causing the copper to patina with iso at that %. You should be ok if you make sure its good and dry before you put the TIM on it.

 

[Trevante]

70% isn't strong enough IMO, go get 91% or 99%. 91% can usually be found at Walgreens, CVS, and other local stores in the medicine/first aid section, and 99% can usually be found at Fry's or any other computer store.

 

[VinDSL]

LoL!

You guys act like you're going into surgery or something... 😀

Clean the surfaces with a paint thinner and a paper towel, apply some AC MX-1, and call it a day!

Q-Tips and Iso are made for ears, not CPUs...

 

[soydios]

99% isopropyl alcohol isn't really necessary. 70% purity is fine, the rest is just water, which needs a few more seconds to dry than 90%. And there is no way that 70% isopropyl will cause copper to patina in less than a few hours!

Is the heatsink base discolored? If so, you still have some of the old Thermal Interface Material stuck in the microscopic valleys, and you need to keep scrubbing to get it out.
If not, just get a coffee filter (Q-tips have lint) and the rubbing alcohol, clean the surfaces, dab on the thermal grease, and stick 'em together. You'll be fine.

 

[AkumaX]

I use dishwashing soap, like Palmolive or Dawn with Bleach. dude, you've got to try it...

(99% isopropyl to top it off)

 

[Fallengod]

Id have to agree. Im sure 99% isopropyl does a great job, but I think its more difficult to find.

I have used 70% isopropyl alcohol for like 7 years and I havnt had any problems. I just use a paper towel and some isopropyl alcohol, and AS5/MX-1/Ceramique wipes clean off........ Dont see how it gets much easier than that.

Id say, use whatever is cheapest and easiest to find.


And Vin is right, I dont know why anyone would use a q-tip on a cpu....Isnt that kind of hard and more time consuming?(And pointless?).

 

[JRich]

I use 100% and a cleanroom wipe 🙂

 

[Noubourne]

So black gunk is likely oxidized copper.

Copper plus air plus heat = black oxidized copper. Unless it's chunking up, I do not believe it will affect performance much.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Noubourne
So black gunk is likely oxidized copper.

Copper plus air plus heat = black oxidized copper. Unless it's chunking up, I do not believe it will affect performance much.

Looks like I finally have an answer for what that black stuff is. Thanks 😀.
Is it possible I accidentally caused that by continuing to scrub at it after I had already removed the layer of thermal paste?

 

[Noubourne]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: Noubourne
So black gunk is likely oxidized copper.

Copper plus air plus heat = black oxidized copper. Unless it's chunking up, I do not believe it will affect performance much.

Looks like I finally have an answer for what that black stuff is. Thanks 😀.
Is it possible I accidentally caused that by continuing to scrub at it after I had already removed the layer of thermal paste?

I don't think so. It's simply exposure to air that causes it. Oxygen + copper = oxidation. Except to seal off the copper completely from the air, there's nothing you can do. If you can't actually see the layer of it with your eyes, (ie: no big black chunks on the bottom), then I wouldn't worry about it affecting the performance of the heatsink.

 

[aigomorla]

get some 1000 grit sand paper. 1 small drop of mineral or vegi oil in the middle.

A flat surface. And lap your heat sink. Go over it like 10times in 1 direction. And then wipe it with iso any %.

i promise you no more black stuff coming off, No more left over tim, no more ANYTHING.


Problem solved.

And yes vin is correct. This aint surgury. You guys are freaking out about nothing.