How to remove left over thermal epoxy?

[Pack'nHeat]

After removeing a heatsink off a video card, what can you use to soften the left over epoxy? Thanks, Heat~

[thekingofpain]

If yer careful, very careful, a razor blade may be your best method of removal...

[Dputiger]

Sanding works well on the bottom of a heatsink. But use very fine grain and only rub the epoxy--NOT the heatsink (unless you are lapping, but that's a different procedure).

[Pack'nHeat]

I think I said this wrong. How do I remove the epoxy on the CHIP after removeing the heatsink? Thanks, Heat~

[CMonster]

Any chemical that will soften epoxy will likely dammage the pcb as well. Small amounts of carefully applied paint remover that contains methelene chloride should soften the epoxy, but removing the softened material w/o dammaging anything may prove difficult.

DOT3 brake fluid can also be used to remove epoxy that has not hardened completely.

Some so called thermal epoxies are not epoxy at all but silicone. If the epoxy is a little rubbery then it is not epoxy.

In any case perhaps a razor blade and sandpaper is the best idea - just remove the epoxy from the top of the chip and do not worry about what remains around the edges.

[Pack'nHeat]

I forgot to say it's a 3D Blaster Annihilator 2. Don't know what they use. I haven't poped the sink off yet.

[LiLRiceBoi]

alcohol works well...but it might take a while to get all of it off