What to clean Thermal grease off with?

[Schadenfroh]

whats best? i am thinking paper towel, rag or qTip

 

[Nebor]

Um... q tip or cotton ball and rubbing alchohol. If it's particularly stubborn stuff (you wouldn't BELIEVE the stuff they put on my IC7-G northbridge) get some acetone free nail polish remover (ignore the look that the walgreens lady gives you) and let it sit on there for a minute or so. It'll soften the stuff up, then wipe it off!
Edit: Remember to clean again w/ alchohol after using nail polish remover.

 

[fredtam]

Acetone is the best for getting it off.

 

[corkyg]

Acetone works - that is basically what the wife's nail polish remover is . . . and of course, alchohol and a clean, lint-free cloth works too. And if you are really sophisticated and have the access - take it to work and hold it over a vapor degreaser.

 

[Amorphus]

nail polish remover also has oils and junk in it. some would say that the oils partly negate the effects of the thermal compound that one applies, since the principle is that it (cliche warning) "fills in the microscopic valleys", and since the oil cannot be cleaned off fully, it screws up your temps.

nonetheless, just to be safe, use rubbing alcohol instead. not only is it good for cleaning off stuff, its also good for aLOT of other stuff. got something on your hands soap won't wash off? rinse with rubbing alcohol! stuff like that. basically, get a bunch off with a tissue or something, then take a Q-tip/cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol that is at least 90% isopropyl alcohol by volume (I use 91%, but I'd like a stronger concentration, myself. theres 95, 97, and 99, I believe, and the more alcohol by volume, the faster it evaporates (and cleans itself up... ))

 

[fredtam]

Just buy some pure acetone at home depot or somewhere. I found it takes it off much easier than alcahol.

 

[beatle]

Use a coffee filter to apply the rubbing alcohol onto the heatsink. For cpus I use a q-tip.