WD40 for thermal paste removal?

[Premium]

So I've run out of degreasing wipes and cleaning alcohol, it's cold and raining heavily outside, not to mention all the shops are/will be closed
My impatience has led to me finding this half-full can of WD40 and I wish to know if it would be a suitable substitute for cleaning my heatsinks.

[Blitzen]

So I've run out of degreasing wipes and cleaning alcohol, it's cold and raining heavily outside, not to mention all the shops are/will be closed
My impatience has led to me finding this half-full can of WD40 and I wish to know if it would be a suitable substitute for cleaning my heatsinks.

No ....... you need solvent based liquid.
If you grease the CPU then say goodbye to it.
Try google.

( I think i have found my new AVATAR QUOTE!!! )

[RavenNight]

I'd be worried about residue, the Akasa stuff is pretty cheap.

[Agent]

No. It leaves residue after use.
Its a PITA to get off things once its on.

Is it from a heat sink or CPU you want to get it off?

[aidanjt]

You'd be better tossing it in the sink with a squirt of fairy washing up liquid than to use WD40... Use a solvent or citrus based TIM cleaner.

[Agent]

If you grease the CPU then say goodbye to it.

It wont kill it, just make it less efficient as its another transfer compound that the heat has to go through.
Its a git to remove on certain things too, but you certainly wont need to say 'goodbye' to your CPU

[Million]

Lighter fuel works very well, just a couple of drops on the end of a cotton bud

[iranu]

Nail varnish remover will do it but be very careful if there is any plastic nearby because the acetone in the nail varnish remover may attack it.

[GoNz0]

flip open your petrol cap if you have a car and see if theres a bit of stray fuel you can mop up and use

[Agent]

Nail varnish remover will do it but be very careful if there is any plastic nearby because the acetone in the nail varnish remover may attack it.

Depends on the remover.
Some have a polish in for nails. These types leave a nasty film over.

[Biscuit]

Nail varnish remover will do it but be very careful if there is any plastic nearby because the acetone in the nail varnish remover may attack it.

Dont use nail polish unless it says 90+% acetone! otherwise it does nothing of good. Trust me i had to use a LOT of acetone to clean up the mess from nail polish remover.

[Mad-Max]

I've used white spirits and Isopropyl Alcohol before.

[Blitzen]

Lighter fuel works very well, just a couple of drops on the end of a cotton bud

But that evaporates.
Anything that doesnt will do more harm than good.

[Mad-Max]

Are people that lazy that they can't even spend about £5 on getting a tin of Isopropyl Alcohol from maplins

[Biscuit]

Dont think the issue is the money... lazyness... maybe

[amjedm]

Dont think the issue is the money... lazyness... maybe

He wanted it "NOW" at 5.50pm so isn't lazy IMO, shops are shut.