Sticker residue on bottom of heatsink of Coolermaster 212

[Ion2015]

Hi, I am in the process of building my first pc, but encountered a problem where when I took the sticker of the bottom of the copper on the Hyper 212 evo. A good amount of sticker residue was still left on the copper where the cpu would connect. I tried wiping vodka on it then and leaving vinegar(in hindsight wasn't the best idea) on it for 15 minutes to see if it would wipe it off the copper, but to no avail it hasn't removed it and I still have a motherboard on the table with cpu installed and thermal compound on it.

My understanding at the time was that since it was just metal I could use these techniques on it and clean it with vodka since it is 40%. I've learned my lesson here and will use rubbing alcohol for this type of thing, but even then will isopropyl alcohol remove it completely and make it safe for use since I have already used vinegar and vodka?

I will be purchasing some isopropyl alcohol tomorrow(nighttime right now) and see how it goes with that, or would you advise to buy a new one for safe measure? Reading online for a bit it seems it needs to be clean with no scratches, but I don't know if vodka or vinegar would damage it in some way. I don't think I have scratched the metal.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

[Gam3r01]

The isopropyl would clean off the vodka and vinegar when you cleaned using it. It might also remove the residual sticker.
If my memory is correct, what was a sticker doing on the heatpipes? My EVO didnt have anything like that...

 

[Ion2015]

The isopropyl would clean off the vodka and vinegar when you cleaned using it. It might also remove the residual sticker.
If my memory is correct, what was a sticker doing on the heatpipes? My EVO didnt have anything like that...

The sticker was only located on the copper that would connect to the cpu. I think it may be there to prevent anything from accumulating on the surface or damaging it. I think I removed it in the wrong direction as well which might have caused it not come off properly so it was probably my fault.

 

[Gam3r01]

Mine had a plastic cap on it, must have changed something...
The alcohol should help you out a bit, I know acetone removes it great, wouldnt recommend it on the heatsink however.

 

[Ion2015]

Mine had a plastic cap on it, must have changed something...
The alcohol should help you out a bit, I know acetone removes it great, wouldnt recommend it on the heatsink however.

Yeah, hopefully! I will try it tomorrow and see what happens. My main concern was that the vinegar and vodka would have damaged it, I am wondering now if the vinegar would have since it is a weak acid.

 

[nostall]

Doubt very much the vinegar will hurt it. Since it isn't attached to the PC you can try rinsing, very very carefully, the contact portion on the bottom with hot water. That will remove the vinegar and probably any 'sugar' residue left behind by the Vodka (remember for future reference that the Vodka is for drinking, often in celebration of completing a build or more frequently to relieve the frustration of the same build😀). If you have canned air or a compressor, blow it as dry as possible: No canned air or compressor, then rinse it in isopropyl alcohol and let it dry:The alcohol will absorb the water and it will dry quicker. When you buy the alcohol, if you can find the 99% stuff that is best, 91% is good if the other not available.

Another substance that will take that adhesive off quickly and is safe on the metal is non-chlorinated brake cleaner: for the adhesive spray some on a rag or paper towel and work with it. Stuff drys really fast so you will probably need to re wet your towel or rag.

 

[Gam3r01]

Im going to have to try the brake cleaner out some time, I have tons of that in my shed from my brothers dirt bike.

 

[nostall]

Im going to have to try the brake cleaner out some time, I have tons of that in my shed from my brothers dirt bike.

Be careful not to get it on plastic. almost ruined the AIO cooler on a friends machine hosing off excess TIM: ended up with fingerprints in the plastic pump housing.
I have used it many times to clean off CPU's (doesn't appear to harm PCB board) and heat sinks. I usually follow up with a good wipe down with 99% alcohol.

EDIT: Don't make the mistake of using Carb or Fuel Injection cleaner: that leaves an oil residue.

 

[Gam3r01]

I have some old burnt out systems in my room, along with old stock coolers, Ill try it on them first.

 

[nostall]

I have some old burnt out systems in my room, along with old stock coolers, Ill try it on them first.

Excellent idea !

@ Ion2015: Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[Ion2015]

@nostall
Yeah will do, hopefully it will go better this time!

@MisterSprinkles
I thought I would have to change the thermal paste, on the bright side at least I'll know how to do it from now on. Thanks.

Thank you for the help, I'll will update you guys tomorrow and see how it goes, at least I know what I am doing now to partially haha.

 

[Ion2015]

It cleaned of pretty well with isopropyl and then I installed it, but I didn't tighten it and it moved a bit while placing it down on the case with the motherboard, will I have to change it? Don't think it moved that much but maybe more to one side than the other. Need to wait until tomorrow and get a long magnetic screwdriver for the mother board :/ My first build is certainly fun that's for sure.

 

[nostall]

It cleaned of pretty well with isopropyl and then I installed it, but I didn't tighten it and it moved a bit while placing it down on the case with the motherboard, will I have to change it? Don't think it moved that much but maybe more to one side than the other. Need to wait until tomorrow and get a long magnetic screwdriver for the mother board :/ My first build is certainly fun that's for sure.

It should be o.k. as long as it doesn't get moved around a bunch more. I have found it nearly impossible to "just set the heatsink on the processor." They always move a bit.

 

[Ion2015]

It should be o.k. as long as it doesn't get moved around a bunch more. I have found it nearly impossible to "just set the heatsink on the processor." They always move a bit.[/quotemsg]

It moved around a couple of times but nothing too drastic, I just moved it back into place a couple of times and then tightened it down. Hopefully I can get this done over tomorrow or Saturday.

Well that's the question answered, thank you guys for the advice. Knowing how this is going I will probably be asking other questions haha.

 

[nostall]

It should be o.k. as long as it doesn't get moved around a bunch more. I have found it nearly impossible to "just set the heatsink on the processor." They always move a bit.

It moved around a couple of times but nothing too drastic, I just moved it back into place a couple of times and then tightened it down. Hopefully I can get this done over tomorrow or Saturday.

Well that's the question answered, thank you guys for the advice. Knowing how this is going I will probably be asking other questions haha.[/quotemsg]

Please let us know how she runs, and, of course, repost if there are other problems.
Welcome to Tom's !!