random question regarding oxidized heatsinks

[hardennoob]

Hey guys,

While parting out my computer, I noticed my thermalright true has fingerprints that I cant remove with isopropyl alcohol. I did some research online and found out that the oil in the fingers causes the aluminum/copper to oxidize overtime. What is the best way to remove the fingerprints? I read brasso does wonders, but some ppl were saying to avoid using brasso since it might affect the thermal conductivity. Some ppl say use wd40 since its water based or copper/aluminum polisher, but some ppl were saying not to use them since they leave protective reside giving it the shine, which will affect heat transfer.

How did you guys clean oxidized heatsinks?

And another random question, why are gentle typhoons so hard to find?! Hahaha.

thanks.

 

[Razgriz]

I guess you can always lap it to remove the oxidation. As far at the GT. i dont think they are made anymore? No clue really i havnt seen the need to pay that much for a fan

 

[Idef1x]

You can clean copper with a lemon and some salt and I guess you could use vinegar and hot water to clean aluminium.

I have only cleaned copper myself - never tried the aluminium.

 

[hardennoob]

I guess you can always lap it to remove the oxidation. As far at the GT. i dont think they are made anymore? No clue really i havnt seen the need to pay that much for a fan

I can’t lap the heatsink since the fingerprints are on the top of the heatsink where the pipes protrude past the fin. The base is completely clean.

To be honest, its not a big deal, but its not just as aesthetically pleasant to look at compared to a clean heatsink. I gues it’s a minor annoyance. I actually also read about the vinegar and hot water…I’ll probably try using the vinegar method since its something that’s readily available to me. next time I get a heatsink, I’ll install it while using gloves, haha.

 

[Rusty4560]

Mine has oxidized without any finger prints on it. It is around 5 years old.

 

[hardennoob]

I wish I took some before and after shots.

My friend has a steam cleaner and I gave it a whirl to see what will happen and holy crap, the heatsink looks brand new now. All the dust was removed, the oxidized fingerprint was removed, and the only defects I can see are the minor little scratches near the tiny hole where the fan clips are held in place.

 

[investinwaffles]

I can’t lap the heatsink since the fingerprints are on the top of the heatsink where the pipes protrude past the fin. The base is completely clean.

To be honest, its not a big deal, but its not just as aesthetically pleasant to look at compared to a clean heatsink. I gues it’s a minor annoyance. I actually also read about the vinegar and hot water…I’ll probably try using the vinegar method since its something that’s readily available to me. next time I get a heatsink, I’ll install it while using gloves, haha.

If its not on the heatsink base, you should be OK to polish it.

I use cape cod polishing cloths on all my polished stuff with absolutely fantastic results. Im sure brasso and te like would be perfectly fine for using on the top-side of the base as there is NO contact there.

The heatpipes are soldered to the base so it cant affect thermal conductivity of the CPU (maybe will reduce the heat dissipation of the top of the base which is very low to begin with anyway).