removing thermal compound

[Corporate Thug]

i'm about to remove the stuff that came with my slk800 to use AS3. this is what i'm planning on doing:
dab cotton ball with nail polish remover, clean base of heatsink, dry with a cotton ball
dab another cotton ball with nail polish remover, clean core of CPU. dry core with another cotton ball.
is this the right way to do it? thanx

 

[BG4533]

I have always heard use Isopropyl alcohol to remove thermal compound. The cotton balls will be fine when wet, but when dry it will probably leave cotton fibers behind.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: BG4533
I have always heard use Isopropyl alcohol to remove thermal compound. The cotton balls will be fine when wet, but when dry it will probably leave cotton fibers behind.

Good advice, definitely better to use a lint free cloth, 3M microfiber is my personal favorite.

 

[Corporate Thug]

thanx for the replies, where can i get Isopropyl alcohol?

 

[wicktron]

Any store (supermarket, drugstore, convenience).

 

[Corporate Thug]

thanx, i'll pick some up. i'm still having a problem with the idea of letting a liquid touch my processor but i guess it's the right way to go since it seems everyone else does it this way

 

[wicktron]

Acetone works just as well, if not better. It'll take care of tougher jobs as it is more viscous than isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Peter D]

i ususally use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball and use tweezers to pick up any left over fibres..

have fun.. i guess 😉

 

[Chaotic42]

I just used GooGone when I installed my SK-7s. Worked amazingly. It was like $1.99 at Walmart.