Thermal Paste Cleaning

[rafe_28]

I dont have Isopropanol or ethanol on hand rn so I wondered if what i achueved without thise can be cnsidered "good enough"? 

 

Also i dont really know if this is the right place to ask. Ty in advance

[CommanderAlex]

Perhaps distilled water and Q-tips?? 

[rafe_28]

2 minutes ago, CommanderAlex said:

Perhaps distilled water and Q-tips?? 

Yesh am gonna try. But what about it? I believe the cpu is still too dirty (screw you intel with ur complicated IHS) or is it fine to leave it like that (i am using the same kind of thermal paste again)

[CommanderAlex]

1 minute ago, rafe_28 said:

Yesh am gonna try. But what about it? I believe the cpu is still too dirty (screw you intel with ur complicated IHS) or is it fine to leave it like that (i am using the same kind of thermal paste again)

You can leave the edges below the surface of the IHS fine like that, or use the distilled water and Q-tips to clean the edges. You don't have any medical alcohol swaps??? They're a little low usually on isopropyl alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), as it's recommended to use 90% or greater for purity and less chance of minerals being left over once it dries. If you have a space microfiber towel laying around, perhaps an old one from a eyeglass case, you can use that to clean the IHS and coldplate. Just remember to not use it on anything else again until you clean it to prevent scratches, especially on optical surfaces. 

[rafe_28]

Oh i sure have some micro fibers for glasses. 

6 minutes ago, CommanderAlex said:

You can leave the edges below the surface of the IHS fine like that, or use the distilled water and Q-tips to clean the edges. You don't have any medical alcohol swaps??? They're a little low usually on isopropyl alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), as it's recommended to use 90% or greater for purity and less chance of minerals being left over once it dries. If you have a space microfiber towel laying around, perhaps an old one from a eyeglass case, you can use that to clean the IHS and coldplate. Just remember to not use it on anything else again until you clean it to prevent scratches, especially on optical surfaces

But we dont have 70% isopropanol and the local pharmacy will only sell it by order and if u announce it. Also i am 15 so thats a struggle too, would always need to take my parents.  So no i dont have pure enough alcohol sadly

[LIGISTX]

11 minutes ago, rafe_28 said:

Yesh am gonna try. But what about it? I believe the cpu is still too dirty (screw you intel with ur complicated IHS) or is it fine to leave it like that (i am using the same kind of thermal paste again)

Complicated IHS? You only have to clean the top surface… the rest is not in contact with anything so it doesn’t matter. You want to use isopropyl because it breaks down the old TIM (thermal interface material) so you can cleanly apply new TIM. That said, as long as it doesn’t have oils from your finger on it, it’s likely fine. You can mix new and old TIM without much performance change. 

[SupaKomputa]

Don't overthink it. It's just a metal plate, you can even use a regular soap, just make sure it's properly dried.

There are many household solvent alternative, doesn't have to be IPA like WD40, kerosene or even gasolene.

[CommanderAlex]

6 minutes ago, rafe_28 said:

Oh i sure have some micro fibers for glasses. 

But we dont have 70% isopropanol and the local pharmacy will only sell it by order and if u announce it. Also i am 15 so thats a struggle too, would always need to take my parents.  So no i dont have pure enough alcohol sadly

So yeah, I'd use them to clean the IHS. I've done it before but it's just messy imo, especially if there is a lot to clean up. I've used paper tissues before too. 

 

Ahh ok, that sucks and I'm sure rules/regulations in Germany are more restrictive than here in the US. 

[rafe_28]

11 minutes ago, CommanderAlex said:

 

Ahh ok, that sucks and I'm sure rules/regulations in Germany are more restrictive than here in the US.

Actually germany dgaf about when or what u drink but buying stuff like those high percentage alcohol substances could mean you want to make ur vodka or whatever 

[rafe_28]

16 minutes ago, SupaKomputa said:

like WD40

I got WD40. Is it fine? Like couldnt it resolve the board painting?

[SupaKomputa]

2 minutes ago, rafe_28 said:

I got WD40. Is it fine? Like couldnt it resolve the board painting?

Nah, it's not that harsh at all. Yeah it will be fine. Just wipe any residue afterward.

[rafe_28]

Another question to this: can i also use wd40 on nickel plated copper? I strongly assume so right? @SupaKomputa

[AnonymousGuy]

Eyeglass cleaner.  And cotton balls because they're cheap and don't leave lint.

 

Also you don't really need to be worried about getting it super clean.  A bit of residue or fog or whatever on the surface won't affect performance at all.

[meidi]

Linus made a video talking about alternative liquid to remove thermal paste.

On 10/14/2021 at 7:29 PM, rafe_28 said:

I dont have Isopropanol or ethanol on hand rn so I wondered if what i achueved without thise can be cnsidered "good enough"? 

 

Also i dont really know if this is the right place to ask. Ty in advance