Removing Arctic Silver before reapplying

[smurkey]

What's the best method to remove artic silver before applying some new batch. I'm ready to install my newly purchased SP94 and Vantec Stealth Fan.

Cheers

 

[thebro]

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

Removal Instructions (From Hardware)
1. Arctic Silver thermal compound can easily be removed from hardware using the proper cleaners and tools. For general clean-up, a cloth or paper towel will work well. Intricate cleaning can be accomplished with Q-tip swabs. An old toothbrush can often get the compound out of crevices that other tools cannot reach.
The recommended cleaners are:

CPU Core:
Use high-purity isopropyl alcohol or acetone and a bit of careful rubbing.
Do not use nail polish remover as it contains fragrance oils and other contaminants.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)

Heatsink:
Use xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.), mineral spiritsm or high-purity isopropyl alcohol.

Remember:
Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be applied over the remnants of the original material.

Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus oil based grease removers and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound.

CPU Ceramic:
Use any of the following cleaners.

Any dish detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.)
Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher to clean a CPU.

WD-40, citrus based grease removers (Goo Gone, Akasa, Etc.)

Xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.)

Mineral spirits. (Be careful to keep the mineral spirits away from the core.)

Once the majority of the compound has been removed from the ceramic, small patches remaining on the ceramic can be 'erased' with a soft eraser.


2. If you use any of the suggested products to remove Arctic Silver thermal compound from the CPU ceramic or heatsink base, always do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the cleaner.


Removal Instructions (From You)
1. Wash your hands with any dish washing detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.) rather than hand soap.
(Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher.)

 

[smurkey]

Arctic Silver don't make sense, they firmly say no citrus based cleaners yet ocuk are selling some citrus TIM removing stuff

 

[blindviper]

I have been using Goo Gone to remove the thermal compound then alcohol to clean it up I have not had a issue for 5 years

 

[Syphon Filter]

Originally posted by smurkey
Arctic Silver don't make sense, they firmly say no citrus based cleaners yet ocuk are selling some citrus TIM removing stuff

the stuff on OCUK is specifically forumulated for this purpose. I think AS are referring to citrus based cleaners like for degreasing and kictchen cleaners that sorta thing i believe.

 

[Bmr4life]

Originally posted by smurkey
Arctic Silver don't make sense, they firmly say no citrus based cleaners yet ocuk are selling some citrus TIM removing stuff

read it again. you're missing a line.

 

[Mr. Thompson]

blindviper - Using Goo Gone on the CPU package is ok, but we do not recommend using it on the CPU core. Goo Gone will leave a residue that alcohol will not remove. This residue will fill the microscopic surface imperfections where the thermal compound should be and compromise the thermal interface.

Colin Thompson
Arctic Silver, Inc.