Thermal paste cleaning solution

[Becausei'mBatman]

Where i live there is no 99% alcohol in pharmacies and stores because of alcoholics, so is there another solution for cleaning it without buying any expensive thermal paste cleaner?   

[Me1bourne]

75% then? Even bottle of cheap vodka won't hurt your cpu.

Or alchohol tissues then..

[Majestic]

breakdisccleaner.

[byalexandr]

I'm pretty sure it's not because of alcoholics. Your body can't process isopropyl alchohol, only ethanol. I suggest using acetone if you have nothing else, but be careful because it's caustic and very volatile (it's not good for you so don't get any on your hands or breathe in the fumes either). That or just keep wiping it with toilet paper until nothing shows up anymore.

[byalexandr]

1 minute ago, Majestic said:

breakdisccleaner.

I highly suggest not using brake cleaner. Leaves residue and any UV light creates chlorine gas if I recall (which is very bad).

[Majestic]

1 minute ago, byalexandr said:

I highly suggest not using brake cleaner. Leaves residue and any UV light creates chlorine gas if I recall (which is very bad).

Very effective though. You can rinse the redidue with a coffeepad.

 

Had to clean off old thermal pads from a heatsink. 99% alcohol, 5min rubbing it...no effect. Just sprayed on a bit of breakdisccleaner... just oozed off. Didn't even had to rub it

 

[byalexandr]

Just now, Majestic said:

Very effective though. You can rinse the redidue with a coffeepad.

Of course it's effective, but it's very harsh as well. It's better to use acetone if anything. I mean to be honest, you don't even need any cleaner. Just wipe it down with a coffee filter until nothing else shows up on it.

[Petoovee]

I usually use a microthingy wiping cloth for glasses, I'm no professional overclocker, but they do more than fine for me

[Majestic]

Just now, byalexandr said:

but it's very harsh as well.

yeh true. You should not use it without care, or spray it onto PCB's.

[tomaatvk]

I don't have any of the real cleaning stuff either.
Usually I first whipe the worst part off with soft tissues (to not scratch anything) untill nothing comes off anymore. After that I put a little bit of white spirit on a microfibre cloth and whipe it one time so everything will be cleaned off. Quickly after that I whipe with with another microfibre cloth (without the white spirit on it) to clean the residue that the first cloth left behind before it dries and sticks to it.

Works like a charm.

[Becausei'mBatman]

6 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

I'm pretty sure it's not because of alcoholics. Your body can't process isopropyl alchohol, only ethanol. I suggest using acetone if you have nothing else, but be careful because it's caustic and very volatile (it's not good for you so don't get any on your hands or breathe in the fumes either). That or just keep wiping it with toilet paper until nothing shows up anymore.

just read about it, it's because of cosmetic isopropyl was used by alcoholics, that's pretty much the reason i can't find it anywhere 

[byalexandr]

3 minutes ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

just read about it, it's because of cosmetic isopropyl was used by alcoholics, that's pretty much the reason i can't find it anywhere 

What? How?

 

You literally can't get drunk off of isopropyl. It'll fuck up your digestive system and you'll have some serious gas.

[Becausei'mBatman]

1 minute ago, byalexandr said:

What? How?

 

You literally can't get drunk off of isopropyl. It'll fuck up your digestive system and you'll have some serious gas.

I found you can still get it in quantities of 1-2liter from home depot type stores, it's forbidden in super markets kiosks and those type of shops.

[byalexandr]

1 minute ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

I found you can still get it in quantities of 1-2liter from home depot type stores, it's forbidden in super markets kiosks and those type of shops.

Jesus, you must have it rough over there

[Becausei'mBatman]

2 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

Jesus, you must have it rough over there

I am a proud residence of the third most alcohol per person consuming country 

[aisle9]

27 minutes ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

Where i live there is no 99% alcohol in pharmacies and stores because of alcoholics, so is there another solution for cleaning it without buying any expensive thermal paste cleaner?   

70% will do.

 

Also, drinking rubbing alcohol will kill you.

[Becausei'mBatman]

1 minute ago, aisle9 said:

70% will do.

 

Also, drinking rubbing alcohol will kill you.

it's cosmetic alcohol, that's what people used to drink themselves to shit, and that's the reason i can only buy 50ml of silici spirit  

[maremp]

24 minutes ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

Where i live there is no 99% alcohol in pharmacies and stores because of alcoholics, so is there another solution for cleaning it without buying any expensive thermal paste cleaner?   

Even (most) alcoholics aren't dumb enough to drink 99% and/or isopropyl alcohol.

3 minutes ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

I am a proud residence of the third most alcohol per person consuming country 

It shows on your grammer. Also, why is this something one would be proud of?

 

Not to be completely off-topic, some glass cleaners contain alcohol and other components that should help dissolving and cleaning. Or windshield washer fluid for the winter/cold also has some alcohol in it. There are chances that you already have either (or both) of those in your household. 

[Becausei'mBatman]

7 minutes ago, maremp said:

Even (most) alcoholics aren't dumb enough to drink 99% and/or isopropyl alcohol.

It shows on your grammer. Also, why is this something one would be proud of?

 

Not to be completely off-topic, some glass cleaners contain alcohol and other components that should help dissolving and cleaning. Or windshield washer fluid for the winter/cold also has some alcohol in it. There are chances that you already have either (or both) of those in your household. 

The restriction is due to massive consumption of cosmetic alcohol. Proud is more of a sarcastic statement. Also i currently only have 40% alcohol and Hydrogen peroxide  

[maremp]

4 minutes ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

The restriction is due to massive consumption of cosmetic alcohol. Proud is more of a sarcastic statement. Also i currently only have 40% alcohol and Hydrogen peroxide  

Natural selection is there for a reason. Whoever gets the idea of drinking 99% isopropyl alcohol shouldn't have children. 

Where did you get the idea to use peroxide? You are trying to clean thermal paste, not disinfect an infected wound. DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide.

[aisle9]

10 minutes ago, maremp said:

Natural selection is there for a reason. Whoever gets the idea of drinking 99% isopropyl alcohol shouldn't have children.

If they drink a cup or so of it, they won't.

[K0MP4CT]

1 hour ago, Becausei'mBatman said:

Where i live there is no 99% alcohol in pharmacies and stores because of alcoholics, so is there another solution for cleaning it without buying any expensive thermal paste cleaner?   

Nail varnish works fine for me

[Seri]

Just in case you can't find anything...cheap vodka will do. And you can get drunk after....or before!

 

If you have to use Acetone be carefull not to touch the PCB with it and open a window.

[Cyracus]

there's also goo gone, works for all kinds of things