Thermal Paste removal alternatives?

[EJay88]

I want to remove the thermal paste on my CPU but I don't have any access to isopropyl alcohol right now. I was wondering if any of these would work: Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, or mouthwash.
Thanks.

 

[OllieOxenFree]

Just wipe it off. I don't use any liquid to remove mine

 

[ahmeday2012]

For me I usually use a drop of my saliva and tissue. Works perfectly after applying thermal paste again. I even overclock it and still works perfectly.

It is a free effective way for me.

 

[spiralmind]

Rule of thumb for me is that I only use one of 3 things to remove thermal paste.

1) Isopropyl alcohol
2) Thermal paste removal liquids (various brands, pick one)
3) Nothing at all, just keep wiping with a dry surface (tissue, cotton swab, qtip)

I won't use anything else.

 

[OllieOxenFree]

+1 for tissue only

 

[EJay88]

I see. I thought that you had to use some sort of alcohol but if it works just as well with a dry cloth I might just try that. Thanks all!

 

[spiralmind]

Well it doesn't work "just as well" with a dry cloth. You have to do a lot more rubbing and put more "elbow" into it when you just use a dry tissue. Technically, without using a liquid of some sort you may leave very small amounts of paste on the surface but this isn't anything to be concerned with. It depends on the surface itself. You can usually get it all off of the cpu/die but you'll notice a little remaining on the heatsink surface if you look close enough. Point is, don't worry about it... dry tissue is fine if you don't have alcohol you'll just do more rubbing to get it off. 😉

 

[dacquesta1]

nail polish remover works fine as well.

 

[spiralmind]

nail polish remover works fine as well.

Somewhat correct. Pure nail polish remover is acetone. Acetone is used for many different types of applications where you want to clean a surface without leaving residue. Acetone will eat up certain types of plastics so you want to be super careful if you use acetone - not to touch non-metal surfaces. I've never personally used acetone to clean up thermal paste though.

 

[dacquesta1]

yeah I'm very careful using the nail polish remover...definitely don't want that touching anything other than the IHS and the cooler base.

 

[Nomanix-97]

Rule of thumb for me is that I only use one of 3 things to remove thermal paste.

1) Isopropyl alcohol
2) Thermal paste removal liquids (various brands, pick one)
3) Nothing at all, just keep wiping with a dry surface (tissue, cotton swab, qtip)

I won't use anything else.

Can I use like handsanitizer to clean my cpu?