Cleaning off Thermal Paste

[Pulse]

Forgive me if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, a forum search didn't yield any results so I thought I may as well ask.

I am going for building my first PC I am slowly getting in the parts I need and what not. I started doing research on what you use to clean off old thermal paste when your switching coolers or just general maintenance. I am aware that you use alcohol to clean it off but what I am unsure about is what type, I have read that using Methylated Spirits which is apparently 70% pure would work just fine while other sources claim that I should use Isopropyl alcohol which is 90%+ pure.

So down to my question what should I be buying? I can't seem to find Isopropyl alcohol on any store website I visit whether its a chemist, Bunnings (it's like a big warehouse store in Australia that sells wood, tools etc etc) or electronic/electrical stores. Any advice or information would greatly appreciated, price isn't too much of a factor as long as its reasonable (like

[DavePC]

I'm pretty sure you can find some at your local pharmacy, and 99% Isopropyl alcohol is what I use.

If you honestly cant find any, buy it off amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Swan-Alcohol-99-Isopropyl-Pint/dp/B001B5JT8C

Make sure to use a micro-fibre cloth! Good luck.

[zephiK]

99% rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth.

[Woode]

I've always used rubbing alcohol without any issues. My stores only carry 70%, but I've been able to grab bottles of 99% off Amazon. It's normally in the personal care aisle of US stores, though, but perhaps it's different in Australia. If you guys have dedicated pharmacies or apothecaries like Europe does, you might be able to buy a bottle there. You might pick up some cotton swabs while you're out, too, those make getting all the paste out of the grooves of your cooler all the more easy.

[UberFefa]

Use rubbing alcohol on a paper product (coffee filter is good) then finish with the microfiber cloth. Make sure it is dry, then apply new compound.

[Pulse]

Thanks for all the advice!

I didn't consider the lint free/micro-fibre cloth though. I'll go check out a pharmacy and see what they have to say in person.

Quick follow up question a re lint free/micro-fibre cloths that come included when you buy stuff like monitors and TVs?

[SammichThyme]

Just use a coffee filter (coffee filters aren't designed to leave any residue behind during intensive use). Also, the cheap 70% isopropyl works perfectly.

[Art Vandelay]

I use 70% isopropyl alcohol. It isn't the best thing to use, but it works and dries very fast. You could also try everclear. lol

[Fordox]

Use pure alcohol and toilet.paper. Thats it.

[Guest]

Acetone works too

[Whaler_99]

If doing it a lot ArticClean makes a cleaning and prep solution combo. Part one is a specilized thermal paste remover and then a purifier to really spiff it up.

[allthatremains94]

Rubbing alcohol

1,000

[MetalLobster]

I've found rubbing alcohol at wal-mart, so you should find it there. I use 70% with a lint-free cloth

[Blake]

depends why I am removing the thermal compound, if it has been there a year or i am reapplying a different paste, I just use alcohol, if i am just re-applying as I used a little too much/little I will just use a lint free cloth and wipe it off, no need for the alcohol. Doesn't seem to make a difference.