Removing silicone gasket and thermal adhesive on PS3 IHS / Heat Spreaders? Safe methods or chemicals to dissolve the gasket? CechE01.

[MBisFrenchy]

Hi,

 

Does anyone have an idea of any chemicals to dissolve or soften the silicone gasket used on the PS3 Cell and the Thermal adhesive used on the RSX? I figured since thermal adhesives are sometimes used on PC components maybe someone may know a better method than using a razor blade alone. I had come across Ifixit's adhesive remove, but it appears to be acetone. Is acetone safe on a BGA or motherboard or CPU/GPU die?

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/iFixit-Adhesive-Remover/IF145-400?o=4

[flibberdipper]

I've seen a lot of people just run it for a while to get it all good and toasty and then speed-run getting the heatsink off so that the adhesive will still be warm enough to remove easier.

 

Though from what I recall, acetone is generally not recommended for PCBs because of how aggressive it can be. Might be urban legend, might not be, I'd rather not find out.

[MBisFrenchy]

12 hours ago, flibberdipper said:

I've seen a lot of people just run it for a while to get it all good and toasty and then speed-run getting the heatsink off so that the adhesive will still be warm enough to remove easier.

 

Though from what I recall, acetone is generally not recommended for PCBs because of how aggressive it can be. Might be urban legend, might not be, I'd rather not find out.

Thank you, I'll try it on a dead board first and see if the adhesive gets any softer.