How to remove old arctic silver from BGA chips?

[Teitoku]

I've got a radeon 9500 that I'm removing some crazy heatsink from, and I need to clean off the AS5 so that I can put on a newer heatsink/fan and stick some ramsinks on.

How can I clean this crap off? It still leaves silver residue even if I use rubbing alcohol and fingernail polish remover with a q-tip.

 

[Hercusleaze]

You can try some brake cleaner. That stuff will clean anything. Just be careful. Spray it on a lint free rag, then wipe the chip with it. I'd go over it with 99% isopropyl alcohol afterwards as well. Just in case there is any residue.

Btw, I recommend CRC Brake Clean. Good stuff. Can pick it up at most big department stores like Kmart, Walmart, Fred Meyer, etc. Automotive section. Couple bucks a can.

 

[Teitoku]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. I'll go check in the garage.

I guess it's just the tactile surface of the chips that grabs onto the grease and doesn't let go.



edit: V V V

Awesome, it worked great. Took that crap right off. Thank you!

 

[enuro12]

Heh. Glad to know i'm not the only one that shops at the automotive store to clean & fix my pc's.

Chuck