Best alternative to alcohol to remove paste

[Evil Ninetales]

Living in the middle of nowhere its hard for me to get iso alcohol to remove thermal paste.

What can be the best alternative?

I have kitchen roll and cotton which I've seen people use in the past but I don't know if that will damage my gpu.

I've been told putting a fresh thermal compound ontop of another brands could be very dangerous so I didn't try that.

I don't know what items in my kitchen contains iso alcohol as none of them actually tell me whats in them.

[_I_]

fingernail polish remover can work in a pinch

[BoNfiRe]

I just use an anti-static cloth, never used any liquid to clean it. I know some may think that it's not the best thing, but it works for me.

[Midnight Fawn]

Originally posted by DaddyBeee:

I just use an anti-static cloth, never used any liquid to clean it. I know some may think that it's not the best thing, but it works for me.

I have done this for years also, up to now, no issues..

[Washell]

Originally posted by Scottish Tablet:

no issues..

Hot spots and generally running a bit hotter, but usually it ends up being fine.

@OP: any solvent that evaporates without leaving a residue, and that doesn't react with aluminium or copper. So acetone (nail polish remover, some paint thinners) or (near) pure alcohols like rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.

Originally posted by Evil Ninetales:

Living in the middle of nowhere

They still deliver, right?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Even your local gas station should have such things... along with grocery/drug stores.
These can work in-place of Rubbing Alcohol:
- Eye Glass Cleaner (contains rubbing alcohol)
- Fingernail Polish Remover (Acetone)
- Mr Clean | Windex | Vinegar | Hydrogen Peroxide

Just use caution and don't get them on the Motherboard. Ones that are strictly alcohol based are fine though, since they dry & dissolve quickly.

Eye Glass Cleaner is mostly water + 70% alcohol based; if you get it on the Motherboard, GPU, etc... brush it off well, before any power is re-applied to devices again.

I prefer to just use Paper Towel + 90%+ Rubbing Alcohol; less water content, does better "cleaning" job overall and dries faster. Wet baby/bathroom towels work good too, just add a little of your cleaning solution to it.

[Fuerst Fux]

You can use benzine as well. Saved me once when I couldn't get dried silicone paste off with alcohol or acetone.

As for cloth I usually use cotton cloth.

[Xtenzor]

In the UK you can buy methylated spirit in any shop similar to Wilko. Cleaned my AMD processor twice without any problem, just use a high quality kitchen towel or coffee filter.
I've tried to find Isopropyl alcohol in any pharmacy or elsewhere. It's not avaialble. Only can buy it from Amazon.

[Evil Ninetales]

Thanks for the help guys.

Eventually I couldn't stand the wait and just got some from amazon.

the pc is now complete and I'd like to thank you guys for the responses.

https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14238280_1061860673860962_5482657449024835418_n.jpg?oh=a6673846ae5cb2e5642b62d877aedf0f&oe=584D487D

https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14184332_1061841963862833_8581521322267864844_n.jpg?oh=7c261ffd0231ba3943ff5c0250685201&oe=58846A03