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Safe to use isopropyl on heatsink?

Tates

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 25, 2000
9,079
10
81
Sure.

Best way to clean off old thermal grease and/or prep the HS for new thermal grease. :)
 

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
Not only is it safe, it's recommended over other things such as acetone and GooGone.
 

FPSguy

Golden Member
Oct 26, 2001
1,274
0
0
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Not only is it safe, it's recommended over other things such as acetone and GooGone.
True, though usually the recommendation is for 99% pure isopropyl alchohol, which can be hard to find.
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
I personally use it to replicate the viscous flow characteristics of monomethyl hydrazine.
 

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
7,430
0
71
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
what else do you guys use it for?

Well isopropyl alcohol is called rubbing alcohol (typically the ~70% alcohol variants) and it has a ton of uses: as a topical antiseptic, nail polish removal, etc. Or were you just being sarcastic? ;)
 

Geomagick

Golden Member
Dec 3, 1999
1,265
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Use it at work to clean airflow sensors in equpment cooling racks on aircraft - magic stuff.

Can't really get more than 99% pure though because it absorbs moisture so quickly.

As for getting rid of thermal paste I use Akasa TIM clean at home and that works great.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
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Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
what else do you guys use it for?

Well isopropyl alcohol is called rubbing alcohol (typically the ~70% alcohol variants) and it has a ton of uses: as a topical antiseptic, nail polish removal, etc. Or were you just being sarcastic? ;)

no, i just wanted to know what novel uses there are for it. have a bottle i rarely use:)
 

josedawg

Senior member
Aug 9, 2003
451
0
76
Is isopropyl alcohol good to use for CPU's as well? I have 70% and 91% (the 91% has an expiration date of 11/99). Is it safe?
 

kamper

Diamond Member
Mar 18, 2003
5,513
0
0
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
what else do you guys use it for?

:wine::beer::wine: That stuff'll fVck you up!! (if you catch my drift ;)) :D :wine::beer::wine:

 

Assimilator1

Elite Member
Nov 4, 1999
24,165
524
126
It could also be used in burners ,instead of Meths.

I use it at work in a spray bottle to clean off brakes ,though it only removes dust & dirt ,not so much grease or oil
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
You should be able to find 99% Isopropyl in B&M stores too; it's not that rare!

Must be regulated by state - I'm in Pennsylvania, and I've never seen anything purer than 91%. 70% and 91% are the only rubbing alcohol options here.

Is isopropyl alcohol good to use for CPU's as well? I have 70% and 91% (the 91% has an expiration date of 11/99). Is it safe?

I use isopropyl to clean just about anything in a computer, CPU's included.
I don't know what alcohol does after its expiration date. Just pour it on something and set it on fire and enjoy the show. :cool: