Proper way to remove thermal paste off a CPU/air cooler?

[bjdobson1]

I'm going to be buying an FX 8350 to replace my 4350 (to work up for a Ryzen 5 2600). But I don't really feel comfortable about removing thermal paste off a CPU/air cooler (the cooler is a CRYORIG H7).

I had a 9590 once, that I tried to remove the paste. And I feel I used way too much rubbing alcohol (using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol) and it got on the pins. Also the paste tried to get inside the gap between the heatspreader and the solder.
As for the air cooler that went with it, I think I scratched the copper surface.

Of course I want to prevent this from happening again (it was my first time removing thermal paste, by the way).
How can I prevent it from happening again?

 

[DB-101]

isopropyl alcohol on a piece of soft tissue.

 

[feelinfroggy777]

Use Isopropyl alcohol and a coffee filter. Just get the filter lightly damp with the alcohol and the paste will come right off. It should not even come near the pins. Just wipe off the paste while the CPU is in the socket. When the paste is gone, pull out the CPU and drop in the other. Clean the bottom of the heatsink the same way with alcohol and coffee filters.

 

[The Paladin]

90% isopropyl alcohol and a lint free rag (not scott towels) some people use a plastic scraper (like edge of a credit card to get the mass out then wipe it clean.