Can I Use "CRC Electronic Cleaner" to Remove the Thermal Paste

[tridy]

Hi.

I ran out of 99.7% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the thermal paste off the CPUs and sinks but I found one that says electronic cleaner with the small text that says contacts cleaner.

On the label it says that it contains Hydrocarbon. Is it safe to use for removing of thermal paste or should I get isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

 

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[MarvinKMooney]

19 minutes ago, tridy said:

Hi.

I ran out of 99.7% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the thermal paste off the CPUs and sinks but I found one that says electronic cleaner with the small text that says contacts cleaner.

On the label it says that it contains Hydrocarbon. Is it safe to use for removing of thermal paste or should I get isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

 

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I don't see why it would not be okay to use says its safe for plastics just let it dry after use.

[SansVarnic]

38 minutes ago, tridy said:

Hi.

I ran out of 99.7% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the thermal paste off the CPUs and sinks but I found one that says electronic cleaner with the small text that says contacts cleaner.

On the label it says that it contains Hydrocarbon. Is it safe to use for removing of thermal paste or should I get isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

 

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70% and 80% isopropyl will work the same.

 

If the cleaner is safe on plastic, it should be fine.

[tridy]

Thanks. I will give it a try.

[kewtz]

1 hour ago, SansVarnic said:

70% and 80% isopropyl will work the same.

Isn’t there more “filler” in 70% that can lead to residues or film on the component? 
I can easily get 70% from local stores but nothing higher.

[Falkentyne]

7 minutes ago, kewtz said:

Isn’t there more “filler” in 70% that can lead to residues or film on the component? 
I can easily get 70% from local stores but nothing higher.

That will have 0C effect on your temps.  Don't worry so much about things you shouldn't worry about.

Besides, everyone who cleans a CPU with alcohol wipes the surface with a lint free cloth afterwards (or they should be doing that), so anything "left over" would be gone anyway.

 

The reason why 91%-100% alcohol is preferred is better dissolving power, and it evaporates much easier, if any were to get somewhere it shouldn't.

[SansVarnic]

20 minutes ago, kewtz said:

Isn’t there more “filler” in 70% that can lead to residues or film on the component? 
I can easily get 70% from local stores but nothing higher.

It is negligible.

10 minutes ago, Falkentyne said:

That will have 0C effect on your temps.  Don't worry so much about things you shouldn't worry about.

Besides, everyone who cleans a CPU with alcohol wipes the surface with a lint free cloth afterwards (or they should be doing that), so anything "left over" would be gone anyway.

 

The reason why 91%-100% alcohol is preferred is better dissolving power, and it evaporates much easier, if any were to get somewhere it shouldn't.

 

 

Correct.

[sub68]

should be fine and probably better than isoprople since this is contact cleaner its meant for metal

 

[Rocketdog2112]

I use it for a final wipe down after I initially clean with iso alcohol.

[Action_Johnson]

6 hours ago, tridy said:

Hi.

I ran out of 99.7% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the thermal paste off the CPUs and sinks but I found one that says electronic cleaner with the small text that says contacts cleaner.

On the label it says that it contains Hydrocarbon. Is it safe to use for removing of thermal paste or should I get isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

 

  Hide contents

 

You can use virtually any degreaser. You can use 409 if you wanted to. Just like anything, just don't get it on the pins.