How do I clean CPU of old Thermal Paste

[Techmeister]

Title says it all.
Please help.

 

[Kanly]

First wipe off what you can with a towel/tissues/lint-free cloth, etc.

Second, soak paper towel, cotton ball etc. in Isopropyl Alchohol and wipe off what remains.

Let dry.

Apply new thermal paste in a thin layer with a razor blade or some other kind of metal edge.

 

[Electric Amish]

Cabeurator cleaner works well if you have some handy.

Kinda leaves an oily residue, so clean with alcohol after.

amish

 

[Oyeve]

Lighter fluid works great also.

 

[office boy]

What?
I just use some paper towel...

 

[Brian48]

A dry paper towel tends to cause static electricity sometimes when rubbed against the surface of the chip. Alcohol or lighter fluid, which is not necessary to do the actual cleaning, prevents the static from building up.

 

[Techmeister]

Can I just use the alcohol that I use to clean up my tape decks?
Those are a lot less stronger than the ones I use on my car.
Are you sure using carburator cleaner is such a good idea. That stuff is STRONG!

 

[PCResources]

Acetone (oil-free), it works, but it will melt all sorts of plastic, so don't spill it!

It's what i use.

Patrick Palm

Am speaking for PC Resources

 

[Midnight Rambler]

That tape deck cleaner ought to work OK, it's probably 'iso anyways.

Other solvents work too, like the acetone, or I've used surface prep cleaner from an auto paint shop.

 

[Eli]

I use carb cleaner.. works great.. It doesen't leave an oily residue ....... It evaporates clean away. This CRC brand Clean-R-Carb I have contains Toulene, Methanol, Acetone, and Xylene, all of which evaporate cleanly. Yes, it is strong.. The better to penetrate the grease with.. It's not going to dissolve your CPU or anything. Isopropyl alcohol can be annoying, because it has water in it. Sometimes there's little drips of water left. You can get the 99% isopropyl, for about .25 cents more a bottle, though.

Works great for getting those silly thermal tape pads off new heatsinks, too.