Arctic Silver, manufacturer of Ceramique and AS5 (arguably the finest thermal compounds available), in cooperation with ESG Associates, also known as Nanotherm, have come together to release a unique thermal surface cleaning, preparation formula. It also dissolves those annoying thermal pads, and the pink paste used by manufacturers on many North Bridge heatsinks.

ArctiClean is a non-toxic, non-flammable, surfactant based on a citrus/soy formula. Stage-1, described as Thermal Material Remover, effectively dissolves any type of thermal paste, or thermal pad, most likely using a process known as chelation. A chelate is a chemical made up of metal ion, and chelating agent. A chelating agent can form several bonds to a single metal ion. This is also known as a multidentate ligand. The bonding process, and ion “control” makes for a truly effective, all natural cleaning solution, which rivals the often flammable and highly toxic products usually reserved for this purpose. On the other hand, biochemical chelating agents play important roles in such natural processes as oxygen transport, and photosynthesis, and are perfectly suited for this purpose.

What's pertinent in so far as ArctiClean is concerned (and our money) is that Arctic Silver didn't simply re-package a cleaning solution, but in fact put significant research and development into this product. Unlike most products used for this purpose, Stage-1 emits no dangerous fumes, is non-flammable, and can be safely used in enclosed areas. In fact Stage-1 has a very pleasant citrus aroma, the only possible adverse effect of which seems to prompt redundant usage. All kidding aside, its aroma is a result of the citrates included in the formula.

Step-2 Thermal Surface Purifier, must be used after the initial step, as it's designed to remove any residual elements. Most importantly Thermal Surface Purifier acts to protect surfaces as a flash corrosion inhibitor, and prep for fresh thermal paste application. To Arctic Silver, and Nanotherm's credit, such biochemical agents play important roles in such natural processes as oxygen transport, and photosynthesis, and are perfectly suited for this purpose. Pertinent to our investment (albeit inexpensive) is the fact Arctic Silver and Nanotherm, didn't simply repackage a cleaning solution but combined resources placing significant research and development into this product. The added benefit of Thermal Surface Purifier will be its use with any other cleaning products such as isopropyl alcohol to protect against oxidation, and prepare surfaces for thermal paste application. For this reason it will be sold separately from the ArctiClean as a two stage kit. Arctic Silver is adamant that Step-1 be followed by Step-2, which is why it will not be sold separately, but the versatility of Step-2 justifies its separate packaging. I've used Thermal Surface Purifier to clean my camera lenses, PC-monitor, sunglasses, and several blocks I'd freshly lapped. In the photo's below my Cool-Cases CF-1 Rev.2 base has was lapped previously and stored in an airtight bag. I removed the block, and gave it a quick wipe with alcohol. The photo on the left is before applying Step-2, and on the left afetr applying Step-2 Thermal Surface Purifier. The difference is immediately noticeable, as the film left from the original lap, and recent wipe with 90% alcohol has been eliminated on the right.

Below is the Maze-4 GPU water block base, after using ArctiClean stages 1 and 2.



The instructions I received were adamant, in that Stage-1 must be followed by Stage-2 as it removes any residue left from Stage-1. The thermal purification stage-2 essentially preps the surface eliminating any remaining ingredients, and by placing a protective coating which may additionally act as a bonding agent for the thermal paste to be applied.

After cleaning , and prepping the R420 core on my Sapphire X800Pro and the Maze-4 GPU water block I was testing, I did notice a 2°C drop in overall temps.

First let me state Arctic Silver made no claim this product would reduce temps in subsequent thermal paste applications. When the ArctiClean arrived I was in the middle of testing Danger Den's Maze-4 GPU waterblock. When I began those tests, I'd lapped the Maze-4 using EasyPCKits Premium lapping Kit, down to their 10-micron paper grade, and cleaned the GPU-block with 91% isopropyl alcohol.

After applying AS Ceramique, I remounted the block, and actually repeated this several times until the lowest temp was maintained. After removing the block, using ArctiClean, and re-applying Ceramique there was a temp drop. So I naturally repeated mounting, just as if I'd begun another water block test. I do this to find the best temperature after remounting the block several times. There can be a dramatic temp differential between heatsink/water block mounting, albeit varying spring tension, or TIM application between each attempt. So this is become standard practice in all my thermal tests. While I cannot definitively claim the most recent temp drop was due to ArctiClean, all things being equal (remounting, Idle/Load, and ambient temps) I can't dismiss the possibility. This makes perfect sense prima facie as surface preparation, and mounting are but half the battle in thermal management. The second half being the hardware used, system attributes, and of course ambient temps.

After applying a few drops of the Thermal Material Remover I waited a few seconds as the fluid rapidly dissolved the Ceramique. In the photo series below I gave a quick wipe to see the difference in the surfaces, and then wiped it completely away, and applied the second stage.

There's a barely noticeable residue left over, and it becomes clear why the instructions maintain the Thermal Surface Purifier must be used immediately afterward.

Photo-1: Just a drop begins to dissolve the paste.



Photo-2: A quick wipe through the dissolving paste.



Photo-3: Completely removing the paste. A slight residue remains.



Photo-4: After application of (Stage-2) Thermal Surface Purifier, there's an actual sheen on what is usually a flat surface.



Continued testing on the next page ->

Next I wanted to test the product on silver based thermal paste. Additionally I was interested to see what effects the product would have on a 99% silver surface itself, and aluminum as well. I just finished testing Cool-Cases CC-Magic CPU-wasserkuhler. This block is an aluminum design with a 99% solid silver insert centered over the CPU which it cools. I mounted this water block about three weeks ago, using Arctic Silver AS5. In the photo series below you can see the condition of this block immediately after removal, and then after both stages 1 and 2 of ArctiClean has been applied.

Photo-1: Removing the block, untouched.



Photo-2: After cleaning with Stage-1, and preparation with Stage-2.



Photo-3: Athlon-64 3400 after cleaning, and prepping with ArctiClean.




Conclusion

Rarely do I get excited over thermal paste removal, and/or cleaning product. To be completely honest, I've always thought products “specifically engineered” for such purposes, were in truth “specifically engineered” to separate the PC-Enthusiast from his/her cash. Surly these toxic/flammable products “removed” something, but in the midst of the intoxicating fumes, probably not what we'd intended.

In this instance I have to say this product is truly revolutionary. Not that it's the first ever, all natural citrus based cleaning product per se, but that's it's the first I've come across designed for our purposes, and which is truly effective. A single drop or two, dissolved both silver, and ceramic based thermal pastes in seconds. The cleaning product left the best visible surface I've ever seen. Since I've always been stumped, as to what i could possibly use after cleaning thermal paste with alcohol (although I've tried everything) I simply wiped the surface with a damp, then dry, cloth. The surfaces looked fairly clean, but just adequately so.

After using ArctiClean, the results were outstanding, a term I've never used for thermal surface product. It smells absolutely wonderful, and the second stage truly does what it’s intended to do. ArctiClean worked on Copper, Aluminum, Silver, and of course the processor's microchips.

ArctiClean will be offered in both 2x25ml, and 2x100ml kits, and Step-2, Thermal Surface Purifier will also be sold separately in 25ml, and 100ml sizes, for those whom have stock piled other types of cleaners. The 25ml size should easily exceed 100 applications. Step-2 sold separately should also exceed 100 applications in 25ml size, allowing the end-user to benefit from the preservation, and enhanced bonding attributes found therein. The price to be announced will be fairly inexpensive, and once it's announced I'm sure most will find the price to be an exceptional value.

ArctiClean worked on Copper, Aluminum, Silver, exposed North Bridges, and of course the processor's used in these tests ((GPU R420), A64 3400, and P4 3.0C with IHS removed).

I'd like to thank Nevin of Arctic Silver and Scott of Nanotherm for allowing me to test this product. Look for future products offered from both companies in the near future.

ArctiClean is now also available through Bacata for our European readers.

Questions/Comments: Forum thread