Can I use nail polish remover and a q-tip to remove old thermal paste

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

Hello! I'm about to replace my old cpu with my new one, but first I have to clean off the old, dried thermal paste off. So the options I have is Nail polish remover with a q-tip.

The remover contains 80% acetone and "essential nutrients to help premote stong, healthy-looking nails and cuticles every time you use it."

Here are the ingrediants.
Acetone
Water
Panthenol
Tacopheryl Actate [Vitamin E]
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Ethoxydiglycol
PPG-12-PEG-50 lanolin '
Benzophenone-3
Fragrance

Water is also pink.

So is it safe? Cheers!

Is it safe to use? Cheers!

jasonkaler · Nov 11, 2015

That's not a good idea. Nail polish remover will damage plastic. Acetone dissolves ABS, which is often what the clips are made of.

ko888 · Nov 11, 2015

Nail polish remover leaves behind contaminants so it shouldn't be used. If you use pure acetone or 99.9% isopropyl alcohol that will be better. Always remove the CPU when cleaning it.

Q-Tips leave behind cotton fibers and shouldn't be used. A microfiber cloth is better.

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

ko888 :

Getting frustrated. Can't I just remove the old cpu with the paste still on? Its all dried up and I won't really use again. Also, can't I also use plastic like a credit card to scrap it off?

ko888 · Nov 11, 2015

Of course you can remove the CPU if it still has TIM (Thermal Interface Material) on it. If you're not reusing it you can do whatever you want.

Are you replacing both the CPU and heatsink/cooler?

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

ko888 :

Yes I am.

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

Also, the new stock cooler has pre-applied thermal paste. Will I need to cure it with Prime95?

ko888 · Nov 11, 2015

bolt853 :

It will cure during normal usage.

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

ko888 :

So I'm fine? Thank you so much!

ko888 · Nov 11, 2015

bolt853 :

ko888 :

So I'm fine? Thank you so much!

Yep. You're fine.

bolt853 · Nov 11, 2015

ko888 :

Well, not all went well. I manage to replace the processor BUT, when I was taking the old heatsink off, it was so attached that when I got it off, the processor went off WITH IT! I was shocked, but when I looked at the processor, I couldn't believe it, not a SINGLE pin broke! Which was quite lucky. Never replacing a processor again ._.

ko888 · Nov 11, 2015

bolt853 :

You could have powered up the system to warm up the CPU before shutting down and removing the CPU cooler. Warming up the thermal interface material softens it making it easier to remove the cooler from the CPU.

bolt853 · Nov 13, 2015

ko888 :

bolt853 :

You could have powered up the system to warm up the CPU before shutting down and removing the CPU cooler. Warming up the thermal interface material softens it making it easier to remove the cooler from the CPU.

I did, but the fan was glued to the processor like cement.

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