Removing thermal paste/pads

[Hibbs]

As I am going to be using Arctic Silver 5 with my Aero7 lite, I guess I should find out the best way to remove the pre-applied pad from it.. nail polish remover? & what can I use to scrape it off (without damaging the surface)..

thanks.

[dajogejr]

A razor blade very, very carefully to remove the most of it, then grab a scotchbrite pad to get the rest off.

I've used brake cleaner (automotive) to help ease the gunk off. Wash it and let it dry thoughly before use.

Even though brake cleaner dries very, very nicely...there is a tad of lubricant on that, and you don't want it.

If you use enough cleaner, you can soak it in there...and most will come off without the razor...

Again, BE CAREFUL...and good luck!!
:t

[Hibbs]

any alternatives to brake cleaner? (if I don't have any... not sure if I do yet).

[dajogejr]

Goof Off I've heard works, carb cleaner has more oils in it...to lube the carb, choke, etc., that's why I say brake clean.

Any type of solvent will work, less petroleum product in them the better.

You can go to Murray's, Kmart, Meijer, just about anyone with auto parts and pick up brake clean, to be honest. A few bucks a can, at most.

[Hibbs]

Ok, I'll try out brake cleaner...

all this time I've been using nail polish remover :/ (recommended by a few people a while ago on some other forums).

[dajogejr]

Nothing wrong with that...you'll just never catch me walking into a drug store to buy it...:)

Brake cleaner is pretty volitale, though!

[Starburn]

there isn't? good... saves me finding some brake cleaner...
:)

I live with a woman so theres lots of it hanging around :p

(Hibbs)

[dajogejr]

You're killin me...Hibbs...or was it starburn?

Yep...just make sure you clean it with soap and water to get rid of any oils left behind...

[Starburn]

I am? :o

Newho, kk. Thanks for all your help :)..
Got a post in general tech. atm if you can help with it too :) hehe.

[Direct1]

There was already a thread on this. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=145542&highlight=Isopropyl. Good luck! :t

[dajogejr]

Yeah...but how often do you look at 3 month old posts...direct??

You're right...but...I look at about the first page, that's about it!!

I suppose you could use that search button..;)

GO Packers!

[SnomanJack]

I like Goo Off or any citris based cleaner. Brake cleaner does work very well as also mentioned but it doesn't clean off completely. For the scraping part I prefer a something that is a hard plastic scraper of some sort, credit cards are a bit too flimsy. This way the surface is not marred with an inadvertant nick.:t

[dajogejr]

Originally posted by SnomanJack
Brake cleaner does work very well as also mentioned but it doesn't clean off completely.


Yep...that's why I mentioned clean off with soapy water. Great cleaner, but...leaves a little film...:)


If you use a razor, carfully, you can get most of it off...then, scotchbrite the rest!

[Direct1]

Originally posted by dajogejr
Yeah...but how often do you look at 3 month old posts...direct??
I didn't mean anything bad by it, I was just giving Hibbs more replies to his topic. :D

GO Packers!
Thanks, I'll be watching them Sunday hopefully beating the Eagles! :t

[dajogejr]

No worries...just giving him other options as well!!

;)

[jesseejames]

i use a neat product--plastic razor blades to clean gunk off of chips heat sinks etc. the edge doesn't last long but they dont scratch metal at all

[gjimene2]

Just use some rubbing alchohol. If not, then some vodka, then you can drink the rest :D


But really, for the heatsink, just get any plastic that has a straight flat edge.


Get an old stock, and put alchohol in it and rub the heatsink, it will take it off real nicely.

[Starburn]

I ended up using a credit card to scrape it off (it came off really easily actually..).

Then cleaned it with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol...

Seems to have worked great :)