What's your TIM cleaning method?

[Agent]

I buy IPA by the litre, and use it on all sorts of things: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D4N472Q/

I put some into a small metal spray, something like this: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DTKLW22/

and then use kitchen roll to wipe it off

Same method here. I don't use nail varnish remover, as I had a few bad experiences with residue. IPA is so cheap (and useful!) I just stick with it.

[Xlucine]

I use IPA on kitchen roll, but I'm not sure what the fuss is over for the specialised cleaning products. Thermal paste is just a carrier to get alumina or similar grains between your CPU and cooler, having a smear of the old stuff left over isn't going to make a measurable difference to performance.

[Iota]

ArctiClean Bottle 1: Thermal Material Remover
ArctiClean 1 uses a proprietary combination of non-toxic biodegradable solvents to emulsify thermal greases or thermal pads. The citrus and soy-based solvents in ArctiClean 1 match or exceed many hazardous and volatile solvents such as fluorinated and chlorinated organic solvents, acetone, MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, and toluene.

ArctiClean Bottle 2: Thermal Surface Purifier
The cationic surfactants in ArctiClean 2 remove any residue left by the ArctiClean 1, leaving a pristine surface for the application of a new thermal interface material. It also incorporates advanced flash corrosion inhibitors that minimise the corrosion layer on copper and aluminium allowing for more intimate contact between the thermal interface material and the heatsink.

Same stuff I use, works really well in removing old TIM and leaving the surface primed for a new application. I've used Artic Silver for years, always had good consistent results with it.

[AGTDenton]

I use IPA on kitchen roll, but I'm not sure what the fuss is over for the specialised cleaning products. Thermal paste is just a carrier to get alumina or similar grains between your CPU and cooler, having a smear of the old stuff left over isn't going to make a measurable difference to performance.

The instructions from Artic Silver 5 are to rub a tiny amount in to stain the lid. So having a bit of the old stuff as long as it isn't in clay form is probably not so bad. I used to follow this back in the day but over time didn't bother as CPUs improved vastly around the 939/core2 days.

[Marcvs]

99.9% ispropanol on some kitchen roll. If you buy a 25 litre can its pretty affordable.