How do you proceed to remove old sticky thermal pads ?

[blobster21]

Hello,

I bought 2 adaptec RAID cards and those babies can run pretty hot (70°C / 160°F) even with decent case cooling.

That's why i decided to clean the main chips and apply a new thermal compound layer.

The thing is, Adaptec used those pink "gum like" thermal pads and it's a real pain to remove completly / properly. So far i did my best to remove most of the dried pad using a cutter's sharp edge across the surface, and 98% came off nicely. The remaining 2 % is still sticky and leave a thin layer all across the heatsink and the chip.

My question is, how do you deal with thermal compound removal in order to restore the flattest & cleanest surface possible ?.

Thanks in advance for your advices.

edit : added picture

 

[jsfitz54]

Try 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, first. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=91% alcohol&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=91% alcohol&sc=8-11&sp=-1&sk=

Denatured Alcohol, second. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=denatured+alcohol&FORM=HDRSC2

Did you try softening with a hair dryer?

On the heatsink side, one oil will often be dissolved by another, so try WD-40, olive oil, vegetable oil, etc..., then use alcohol to clean off the oil.

Electric cleaner: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Electrical+Parts+Cleaner&FORM=RESTAB

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

I removed those bubble gum paste mostly with friction and a high concentration isopropyl alcohol that is above 90%. High concentration isopropyl alcohol is a type of degreasser to clean circuit boards. It hopefully can "eat" through the oil of the thermal paste.

Edit: You can a huge sealed tin of isopropyl industrial degreasser. Their 99.8% pure but I would always dilute them

For bubble gum like that you would need a micro-fiber cloth or you can use your fingers to keep rubbing the surface to create enough friction to flake the remaining bubble gum paste.

 

[blobster21]

Thank you so much for your replies. Not only was it helpfull, but also informative (didnt know for the oil)

 

[jaggerwild]

As long as it isn't powered up you can use soap water n a scrubby pad, rinse well then drip dry. Be amazed what I have washed in a dish washer, mother boards, video cards, etc.

 

[silentbogo]

acetone does miracles. just soak it for awhile and then scrub it with a plastic card and remove leftovers with a toothbrush

 

[Jetster]

Heat gun, then fingernail polish remover (acetone) after it cools of course. Just be careful with it. It will damage plastic

 

[qurotro]

I use gasoline sometimes....