how do you remove old thermal paste?

[iMc]

as in title. i saw the same threads a few weeks ago but the search function isnt working.

[TiG]

Personally I use nail polish remover and a lint free cloth usually that would take it all off without too much problem. If its more stubborn and has stuck i'd use a razor blade/stanley blade etc.

TiG

[BUFF]

Akasa do a nice TIM cleaner.

[Steve]

Yeah and I bet akasa make a nice profit off it!

Isoprophyll alcohol, lint free cloth, and a razor blade will get it sorted.

[BlackSheep]

as in title. i saw the same threads a few weeks ago but the search function isnt working.

If you haven't got any solvent handy, a bit of rolled up tissue does the trick if you are patient enough

[iMc]

ok, thanks for the replies.

[glyndwr]

I've always used carburettor cleaner, although I may have read somewhere that it leaves a residue. Always seems to work ok for me though, I just squirt some onto a bit of tissue and wipe it down.

[TiG]

Erm, Shouldn't ever use Petrol type based cleaners, its asking for Trouble, DO not use petrol based cleaners, e.g things like WD40.

TiG

[glyndwr]

It's not petrol based, I think -- it's mostly toluene, acetone and methanol. Googling for that did reveal where I read this advice though: overclockers.com. So now I don't know if it's harmful or not. Isopropyl would seem to be a safer bet, although Google is full of people recommending carburettor cleaner.

Of course, it is highly flammable, which introduces other problems...

[iMc]

ill steal a little of my stepmums nail poslish remover. hopefully that shud do the trick. or white spirit maybe?!

[Agent]

A lot of nail polish removers have a polish in it itself. Some do leave a residue.
Ive always used alcohol

[silentphoenix]

I use tape head cleaner - thats the Isopropyl alcohol thing.

I works fine with artic silver, but is a nightmare with the silver coloured silver based compounds, but i geuss thats less to do with the cleaner are more to do with the compound!

[RoganJosh]

Avoid nail polish remover - also can contain colourant and perfume in addition to the polish mentioned above, also there is a recent trend for nail polish remover to be non-isopropyl based - peronsally I use Varn MRC meter roller cleaner, but you won't get that unless you're in the print trade.

[Korky]

Famous Grouse wiskey anyone? dont use this I dont know why i do :S

[glyndwr]

Famous Grouse wiskey anyone? dont use this I dont know why i do :S

That's a much better idea than drinking it! Except for this Famous Grouse (third from the right), which is actually great.

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

The other night I used Mr Muscle orange based kitchen cleaner to get off the stuff originally on the Athlons. Worked a treat after scraping off the exess!