Using 99% isopropyl to wipe off thermal paste - safe?

[SohailR]

Hi, I was just wondering if it's safe to use 99% isopropyl to wipe thermal paste off my heatsink and CPU. The concern I have is that it's highly flammable. So, is it safe to use and is there a preferred method of using it?

 

[Mustangrock12]

Yes just make sure to not use any paper try to use micro fiber and just make sure you let it dry off before re installing the CPU hope this helps

 

[Tcinator]

it would dry before you would ever have the chance to turn it back on. so, no it wont catch fire... but, there are products designed to clean off the surface of the heat sink an cpu to cleanse the surface a bit better than alcohol. I have used alcohol in the past with a good microfiber cloth with absolutely no repercussions.

EDIT: here's a link to some http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CNG-5_KFp78CFUwV7AodaikAWA&Item=N82E16835100010&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Thermal+Compound+%2f+Grease-_-N82E16835100010&ef_id=U5tJyAAAAbk@BGC4:20140702162729:s

 

[Memhorder]

That's the best. no water in it. It will evaporate in minutes. Don't worry.

 

[darkguy2]

Yes it is safe. If the CPU is still in the mobo then make sure that the power switch on the PSU is off but the power cable is still plugged in to ground the mobo. 99% alcohol is pretty commonly used to clean off CPUs. Let all of it evaporate before you put more paste on or turn it on. While it is flammable it is not that dangerous unless you have a flame around it. I use it to clean off my razor blade after shaving to prevent water from dulling the blade.

 

[SohailR]

Thanks for the quick responsive everyone, they were all useful. I'll be using a greatshield microfiber cloth instead of paper as I first intended.

 

[InvalidError]

Alcohol does not spontaneously ignite. Don't put a flame or spark near the area you are working in, wait until everything is dry before trying to turn the computer back on and there won't be any problems. If you wipe surfaces "dry," any residual alcohol left behind will evaporate within seconds unless your room temperature is freezing-cold or the air is already saturated with alcohol vapor.

Basically: don't be stupid when handling flammable stuff.

You could use 70% alcohol instead. The 30% water content will soak most of the heat and prevent most damage to stuff under the spill if it lights up.