Arctic Silver "Arctic Clean"

Arctic silver is without a doubt the most recognizable name in thermal compounds, and while many companies produce their own compounds, no one can question the high quality associated with Arctic Silver 5 or Cermaique, among others.
Arctic Clean is a new product from Arctic Silver designed to clean the base of your cooling solution prior to applying new thermal compound. While most people use rubbing or denatured alcohol, Arctic Silver touts Arctic Clean's two step process as the standard for removing old thermal compounds.

ArctiClean 1 Thermal Material Remover:
ArctiClean 1 uses a proprietary combination of non-toxic biodegradable solvents to emulsify thermal greases or thermal pads. The citrus and soy based solvents in ArctiClean 1 match or exceed many hazardous and volatile solvents such as fluorinated and chlorinated organic solvents, acetone, MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, and toluene.

ArctiClean 2 Thermal Surface Purifier:
The cationic surfactants in ArctiClean 2 remove any residue left by the ArctiClean 1 leaving a pristine surface for the application of a new thermal interface material. It also incorporates advanced flash corrosion inhibitors that minimize the corrosion layer on copper and aluminum allowing for more intimate contact between the thermal interface material and the heat sink.

To see what, if any difference Arctic Clean made in cleaning the base of heat sinks, I decided to try it on both a copper and aluminum based heat sink. For comparative purposes I also used 91% rubbing alcohol. I used a small piece of painter's masking tape to divide the base of the heat sinks to get a better idea of the performance difference of the individual cleaners.

The above picture does not do the Arctic Clean justice! The left side of the copper based heat sink is after 5 minutes of scrubbing the base with 91% rubbing alcohol. The right side is after following the two step process outlined on the bottles of Arctic Clean. Let me just say that the Arctic Clean WAS as simple as applying the emulsifier, waiting a few seconds, and wiping it away. 

Moving on to an aluminum based heat sink, I again divided it into two sections. Again I used 91% rubbing alcohol and for 5 minutes scrubbed the base. Next I applied the Arctic Clean to the other section and as per the instructions, the result on the aluminum base was no less dramatic than the copper based heat sink.

Covering the entire base of the copper heat sink with the Arctic Clean and wiping it away left the base spotless, even after cleaning the base with alcohol, there was thermal compound residue on the cloth after cleaning the entire base with the Arctic Clean.

Available in three sizes (2,4, and 8 fl oz.) which fit every need (even the 2oz set is plenty for several cleanings), Arctic Clean is a Godsend to anyone who frequently changes their cooling solution. The two step process makes cleaning your heat sinks base as quick and simple as possible, while making sure you are getting the very most out of your heat sink's and thermal paste's performance. While most cleaning solutions come with horrible smells, Arctic Clean features a refreshing citrus smell that doesn't kill brain cells and won't irritate your wife.

For a modest price, you can have the peace of mind knowing that the base of your heat sink is as clean as it possibly can be. If you are planning on Lapping a Heat sink, or reapplying the thermal compound on the base of your HSF (The HardwareLogic Thermal Paste Guide), then Arctic Clean is a very wise investment.