I've been trying to buy some locally - no chemists stock it and they can't order it in either! Unbelievable, I know.

It costs quite a bit if you order it due to p&p, so I may just pick up a bottle of acetone nail polish remover. I wanted to ask if the forum's opinion is that it is AS SAFE as isopropyl on the CPU, and what should not be in there (as some have bad stuff in them), e.g. fragrance, colourings - what's OK, what's not? I don't want to keep using meths as it is mineralised.

I would only use 70% or higher isopropyl due to nail polish remover might tarnish the heat sink. You don't want that right?

Brake cleaner in a spray can from the auto parts store is a good substitute. It is made to remove grease and dry without leaving any residue. Spray some liberally on a paper towel and rub the top of the CPU until it is clean of any contaminates. You might repeat the process a few times to make sure you removed everything.

Be careful which nail polish remover you pick. Most have additives which might leave a sticky, tough-to-remove film which might never come off.

I use plain and simple rubbing alcohol and no issues whatsoever.

Groovemeister where do you live that they do not have isopropyl /rubbing alcohol available?

I am sure one of us could send you some!

I thought we went over this, it doesn't have any 'minerals' in it. It should be fine to use.

Isopropyl alcohol si the best 70% or stronger. Brake cleaner is also a good suggestion but be careful NOT to get it on any painted surfaces.

It says it is mineralised on the bottle!

For everyone that asks, I line in the UK. Maybe I will get some brake cleaner...

Thanks, I know about that, but that's dearer than isopropyl and isn't necessary when iso does the job well enough.

I appreciate that here are situations where it might help you out like pins getting paste on them, but bar that I don't really need to spend £10 or so on it (in fact I've got paste of pins with a toothbrush and meths before - but like I say, don't want to keep using it.

Volatile chemicals like Acetone, Methyl, degreasers, etc almost all leave a residue. Whether that's a problem depends on the specifics, but it can cause corrosion and subsequent heat issues. High purity Isopropyl is about the only thing the does not leave a residue in the metal pores. If you use one of the others, it's generally recommended to clean them off with, you guessed it, Isopropyl.

Guess I'll have to eBay it then. £1.80 ($3.60) isn't bad for the iso - it's the £2.20 ($4.40) p&p for such a small bottle that takes the biscuit!

FWIW I wouldn't get Acetone within 20 feet (6.5 metres) of a printed circuit board because it just happens to be an excellent solvent for the green lacquer used as a protective coating on them...

Rubbing alcohol works and nail polish remover contains acetone with other chemicals. Acetone is great for working on surfboards, but not on anything else.

Nail polish remover as safe as isopropyl for removing CPU paste?

NO
No acetone!

And: I would use isopropanol 100%, not rubbing alcohol. And: NEVER use isoprpopanol in concentrations other than 100%! Isopopanol 70% is 30% water!

(I'm not sure, but is 100% rubbing alcohol available at all for home use. And if yes, would it be safe to use in a home environment (lungs, eyes, explosive, ...). But isopropanol is very dangerous as well! Maybe more, I don't know. So please be carefull everyone!)

FWIW the most commonly available 'pure' isopropanol is 99%. Isopropanol is hygroscopic and will absorb at least 1% water from the air. It is availble at 100% but dehydrating that 1% drives the cost up 50 fold at least!

I know that. Look at my old post everyone. Of course, you don't need the 50 bucks isopropanol 100%. The $1 isopropanol 100% is perfect.

Never use isopropanol 70% or whatever concentration other than (quasi) 100%! And more importantly handle it with absolute care! Just think about it, it's PURE alcohol! And it's synthetic pure alcohol in addition. Be smart!

I would never experiment with nail polish, just get a bottle of mineral spirits, it evaporates very quickly.

Same problem as Acetone, could dissolve the lacquer on the PC board. 99% Isopropyl Alcohol is the stuff.

Yah, I would hope one is smart enough to remove the CPU first though... lol

Being a woman stay away from Acetone ( nail polish remover)
Droped a bottel on my Washing Machine lid dissolved most of the top never to be fixed again
Isopropyl