Removing themral paste from CPU.

[Speedsterx7]

Are these two products safe to remove old thermal paste? Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&ignorebbr=1

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIABR04YT7919&ignorebbr=1

[NoxiousOdor]

I just use a rag

[nickyteddy]

I've heard that the first product works well when removing thermal paste. I don't know about the second product because the link doesn't work.

[JoostinOnline]

A paper towel and some 90% (or higher) isopropyl alcohol works just fine. You don't need fancy stuff.

[Jesse2518]

They are exactly for that so yes. 

Dont worry about it. 

[NoxiousOdor]

Sometimes I just grab the nearest sock I can find on the floor next to me

[iamdarkyoshi]

Personally I wipe it dry, unless it has gone solid and won't wipe off. Then I use brake parts cleaner.

[Speedsterx7]

1 minute ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

Personally I wipe it dry, unless it has gone solid and won't wipe off. Then I use brake parts cleaner.

I don't really need a microfiber cloth? Artic Silver Articlean and paper towels will be fine?

[Godlygamer23]

11 minutes ago, Speedsterx7 said:

I don't really need a microfiber cloth? Artic Silver Articlean and paper towels will be fine?

I've never used a microfiber cloth. The only issue with paper towels is that they will start to break apart in fine bits, but otherwise, they're fine to use.

[KarathKasun]

Even alcohol is overkill for most situations.  Just use a washcloth that you dont care about staining and wipe it off.

[iamdarkyoshi]

15 minutes ago, Speedsterx7 said:

I don't really need a microfiber cloth? Artic Silver Articlean and paper towels will be fine?

Or just a paper towel and thats it. Those paste cleaners are pretty pointless IMO

[Ramaddil]

I use coffee filters and isopropyl alcohol works well and doesn't leave lent. 

[Votivee]

 

[Speedsterx7]

As far as I can tell, I only the following three items.

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&ignorebbr=1

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1CK1074365&ignorebbr=1

 

and paper towels and I should be good right?

 

Also, thank you guys for the helpful replies!

[JoostinOnline]

24 minutes ago, Speedsterx7 said:

As far as I can tell, I only the following three items.

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&ignorebbr=1

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1CK1074365&ignorebbr=1

 

and paper towels and I should be good right?

 

Also, thank you guys for the helpful replies!

That cleaner is basically expensive rubbing alcohol that they can sell to suckers for easy profit. As for coffee filters, they don't really absorb the paste as well.

 

If the paste is still goopy, wash your hands immediately after. It's not dangerous or anything, but it can stain your skin like nobody's business.

[rqb2001]

CRC Electrical contact cleaner

[RonnieLima]

I use a paper towel.... just make sure you dont leave any little bits behind!

[Godlygamer23]

17 hours ago, KarathKasun said:

Even alcohol is overkill for most situations.  Just use a washcloth that you dont care about staining and wipe it off.

The main advantage to using alcohol is that it ensures you have a nice clean surface, and no old paste remaining. Heck, I even clean off the cold plates(and the CPU's heatspreader) when I receive a new cooler just to ensure that it's completely clean before applying thermal paste, regardless if it's actually required. 

[just_dave]

brake cleaner, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl, just any hydrocarbon-based solvent you find and a paper towel or a rag