Removing thermal grease and pad

[ShadowBlade]

I know that i shouldnt have both on at once, but I do.
What is the best way to remove a thermal pad (the one on a retail A64 HSF) with thermal grease on it? Also the thermal grease on the cpu heatspreader.

 

[Zepper]

Wipe most of the grease away with a coffee filter (lint free) then scrape away as much of the pad as possible with a plastic tool (to avoid scratching your heatsink or heat spreader) and use lighter fluid (naphtha) to relmove the remainder. Follow by a thorough rinse with isopropyl alcohol (90% is best but 70%, or rubbing strength, will do as long as it has no additives like wintergreen oil or glycerine. Dry with another coffee filter. That should do it.

.bh.

 

[suszterpatt]

Well...


high density alcohol works for removing thermal grease. Most people here will say 99% isoprpyl, but I use rubbing alcohol and it works just fine.


Not sure about the thermal pad... Arctic Silver has instruction for removing it on their site I believe.

 

[najames]

Razor blades work wonders on removing pads. You might just be able to wipe off the goop, then clean it with generic cheap alcohol as mentioned. Heck, mine is only 91 proof!!

Coffee filters are a novel idea. I guess I don't care that much. I use some clean toilet paper with alcohol and scrub it clean. Then try to use something lint free with alcohol, or more clean toilet paper with alcohol. Finally, use some compressed air and blow it off good.

 

[mdcrab]

paint thinner on a Q-tip also works well.

mdcrab

 

[JEDIYoda]

Honestly I would just go ahead and use an Acetylene Blow Torch!!!!

While drinking a cold Warka Beer in the other hand!!

 

[mdubrow]

Actually, the thermal pad on the stock AMD 64 heatsink removes very easily with alcoho and a little rubbingl--no need for razor blades, plastic scrapers, etc. I wouldn't use rubbing alcohol, though, because it leaves a residue behind which might affect cooling. Use a high purity (91% or better) isopropyl alcohol.

 

[DaFOBulous1]

ArticCleaner...safe bet.