is using thinner to remove old heatsink compound ok?

[faye]

I can't find anything in my house that will remove the old heatsink thermal paste.
I just find myself some thinner.

I just put it on a paper towel, and rub the chipset and heatsink contact area until i don't see any left, then i re-apply new thermal paste on.
i know it may not be ideal, but is it accepatable?

 

[aigomorla]

thinner as in acetone?

thats fine as long as you wipe clearly, and allow all the thiner to evap b4 you mount.

 

[Zepper]

Personally I don't care for using acetone or other paint thinners (mineral spirits, etc.) as it can damage many types of plastics and is extremely flammable. I use lighter fluid (naphtha - sold under the Ronsonol, Zippo and store brands) to remove the rubbery type (usually thermal pad residue) after carefully removing as much as possible with a plastic tool. I follow with a rinse of high percentage isopropyl (isopropyl or ethanol is preferable to methanol and iso is cheaper than eth) alcohol (you can get 90+ percent at most any drug store, walmart, etc.) to remove any remaining lighter fluid.
. Alcohol alone will remove most greases including AS5. I wipe as much away with a coffee filter (perhaps the only lint-free paper found in most homes - lens paper is another) with some 70% (rubbing) isopropyl alcohol on it and I get rid of the rest with another coffee filter with 90+ percent iso on it. If I have difficulty, I'll use a cotton swab with alcohol to get the nooks & crannies. Then follow with a final wipe with 90+% alcohol. If your CPU, etc. has exposed, surface-mount components like most socket-A AMDs, be careful not to stress those components as solder isn't a particularly strong mechanical bond.

.bh.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: faye
I can't find anything in my house that will remove the old heatsink thermal paste.
I just find myself some thinner.

I just put it on a paper towel, and rub the chipset and heatsink contact area until i don't see any left, then i re-apply new thermal paste on.
i know it may not be ideal, but is it acceptable?

All I use is mineral spirits (paint thinner) and paper towels! Works great!

It's never caused a single problem - and I've never had an overheating problem...

 

[JEDIYoda]

I personally use a blow torch.
The only problem is you must be very, very precise. The slightest slip and your whole rig could go up in flames!!

Peace!!

 

[TerryMathews]

I guess it depends on whether you're talking about true heatsink compound (something like Thermalcote silicone) or a thermal pad.

A thermal pad is easily removed using paint thinner or spirits as posted. Wash down with water then dry and you're GTG. Safe for aluminum or copper, so 99% of all heatsinks will be OK.

Thermal compound though, is best simply wiped off with a washcloth. Ideally, you don't want to remove ALL of the compound, as it will fill in the microscopic holes in the heatsink. Think of it as a non-risky version of lapping. Just wipe it down with water then dry, and you should get all of the surface compound only leaving what has settled into the pores.