How to Remove Mx-2 thermal paste?

[vvilliamm]

how do i remove the mx-2 thermal paste? im just curious i usually just use 75% alcohol for the other thermal paste. is there a specific thermal paste liquid i should buy? thanks

 

[leSLIe]

paint thinner works like a charm

 

[vvilliamm]

sigh all i have now is alcohol could i use that? thanks =]

 

[Zero82z]

Isopropyl alcohol will do the job perfectly.

 

[eddieck]

Isopropyl alcohol will do the job perfectly.

Does the concentration matter? I have 70% and was curious if paying extra for 90% or higher would be a better choice.

 

[Zero82z]

Does the concentration matter? I have 70% and was curious if paying extra for 90% or higher would be a better choice.

In my experience, the concentration doesn't matter. I've been using 50% for a few years since it's what I have around (yes, a single bottle lasts me several years), and it works pretty much just as well as 90% ever did for me. You might need to work at it a bit longer to get rid of dried-up paste, but other than that I don't foresee any issues.

 

[vvilliamm]

Ah I see back then I would use a qtip to slowly wipe it away. What's your methods?
Posted via [H] Mobile Device

 

[Rogue71]

lol a bottle of 90% alcohol is dirt cheap and will last you for years.

the higher the % the better it will work.

 

[Zero82z]

Ah I see back then I would use a qtip to slowly wipe it away. What's your methods?
Posted via [H] Mobile Device

I usually just take a tissue, soak it in a bit of alcohol, and rub off any paste. Once it's all gone, I take a clean piece and go over the surface one more time to make sure. Then you should be good to go.

 

[Soggy]

put some windex on it

 

[m0rn]

I usually use 91% alcohol on a paper towel or a tissue, then right after I'll just blow on the surface with compressed air in case lint is left over from the paper towel.

 

[4x4not]

Recently I use an old credit card to scrap the majority off (MX2 can get quiet gummy) then use a high quality q-tip (the generic ones are too fuzzy) with rubbing alcohol to get it as clean as I can. Then I use one of those lint-free alcohol wipes right before applying new paste, both on the heatsink and the chip/spreader. Works like a charm

 

[Hornet]

I usually just take a tissue, soak it in a bit of alcohol, and rub off any paste. Once it's all gone, I take a clean piece and go over the surface one more time to make sure. Then you should be good to go.

I'd like to ask, is there any danger of static electricity damage by using tissue on a RAM chip? Like the graphic card RAM chips for example.

thanks

 

[QuadMe]

I'd like to ask, is there any danger of static electricity damage by using tissue on a RAM chip? Like the graphic card RAM chips for example.

thanks

I saw one reviewer using an eraser on the ram chips to get the TIM off. Not sure if it's a good idea or not but it worked.

 

[m0rn]

I saw one reviewer using an eraser on the ram chips to get the TIM material off. Not sure if it's a good idea or not but it worked.

I did the same, it's actually the best method. Everyone always reports ramsinks falling off chips, its not the sinks but actually the grease from the tim. Just clean with alcohol then rub with eraser then blow with compressed air to get the eraser gunk off. I try not to use that nasty pink eraser from pencils, it leaves too much gunk behind.

 

[Rogue71]

I did the same, it's actually the best method. Everyone always reports ramsinks falling off chips, its not the sinks but actually the grease from the tim. Just clean with alcohol then rub with eraser then blow with compressed air to get the eraser gunk off. I try not to use that nasty pink eraser from pencils, it leaves too much gunk behind.

+1 on the eraser. ramsinks fall off because the chips aren't cleaned properly before the application.

 

[Crispy002]

91% rubbing alcohol works much better than 70%. The 70% contains more water and takes longer to evaporate, often leaving a residue behind. The 91% dries FAST and leaves nothing behind. Stings a little on the hands though.

 

[Zero82z]

I'd like to ask, is there any danger of static electricity damage by using tissue on a RAM chip? Like the graphic card RAM chips for example.

thanks

No, and especially not if the tissue is wet.

 

[Direfox]

91% rubbing alcohol works much better than 70%. The 70% contains more water and takes longer to evaporate, often leaving a residue behind. The 91% dries FAST and leaves nothing behind. Stings a little on the hands though.

Yep, the higher the alcohol content the better. Water is what your trying to avoid, the alcohol evaporates very well after doing its job as a solvent.