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[SP2]

I've bought some removal liquid (http://www.ebuyer.com/169200-tuniq-thermal-material-remover-tr-1-) to put my quad core into my new computer (currently building) and my dual core into this one since I'm passing it down to my brother and I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips in removing the thermal paste from the cpu and fan before I put it into my new computer. (Specifically, what should I use to get rid of the excess junk it removes without damaging anything, but any other tips would be great too if not just for me).

Thanks in advance.

[Grek]

Why do you want to remove the thermal paste?

[Stargrasper]

Did a quick hunt.  The general consensus is to use a cotton swab with some form of solvent.  Strongest recommendations are acetone or denatured alcohol.  And of course, please note that I've never done this specifically.  Read: I'm not responsible if something gets f***ed up.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-313494.html

[SP2]

I wasn't holding anyone responsible in the first place. 
I have heard about using a paper towel, but I thought it might be too rough so I'll take the cotton swab into consideration.

Why do you want to remove the thermal paste?

Scenario: I've got two computers, one has a dual core cpu and the other has a quad core. I want to swap both but since I have to take the fan off then take the cpu out the thermal paste loses it's 'bond' (or so I've read). So by removing the previous paste and applying new it apparently helps the heat transfer than using the paste which has lost it's 'bond'.

[Stargrasper]

There are several good reasons to replace the thermal paste on a CPU.  This is one of them.  If there are air gaps or something like that in the paste, it inhibits its ability to conduct heat away from the CPU, potentially harming it.  It can also "wear out" over time.  It'll just break down over several years time.  Some will dry out.  Some will expand/contract.  Some will lose it's stick/seal.  Others will set like glue and become really hard to remove.  People building their own computers often remove the thermal paste that comes with the CPU because it's inferior to some other paste they can acquire.

I definitely recommend you use cotton swaps.  Denatured alcohol is fairly cheap at a lot of stores.  Try a hardware store or WalMart will have it if nothing else.  Acetone is a lot harsher than alcohol, but I can't imagine it should hurt a CPU if you aren't doing anything stupid.  Protip: Nail polish remover is actually diluted acetone.

Quick Edit: I've never used the remover you said you had in the OP.  Probably wouldn't hurt anything to use, though.

[Vector]

I think my dad and I just used paper towels, but on the other hand I think we were just doing a good old tear-down disassembly, not an attempt to actually reuse.  In any case, it did a pretty good job of getting the gunk off.

[Haschel]

The people that make Arctic Silver recommend coffee filters(combined with whatever solvent you're using, isopropyl alcohol is dirt cheap). I've been using those the last few times I had to remove thermal paste, and I haven't run into any obvious damage or long term issues.

[SP2]

Thanks for the tips.

There are several good reasons to replace the thermal paste on a CPU.  This is one of them.  If there are air gaps or something like that in the paste, it inhibits its ability to conduct heat away from the CPU, potentially harming it.  It can also "wear out" over time.  It'll just break down over several years time.  Some will dry out.  Some will expand/contract.  Some will lose it's stick/seal.  Others will set like glue and become really hard to remove.  People building their own computers often remove the thermal paste that comes with the CPU because it's inferior to some other paste they can acquire.

I definitely recommend you use cotton swaps.  Denatured alcohol is fairly cheap at a lot of stores.  Try a hardware store or WalMart will have it if nothing else.  Acetone is a lot harsher than alcohol, but I can't imagine it should hurt a CPU if you aren't doing anything stupid.  Protip: Nail polish remover is actually diluted acetone.

Quick Edit: I've never used the remover you said you had in the OP.  Probably wouldn't hurt anything to use, though.

Good to know. I'll be definitely using some cotton swabs then.

I think my dad and I just used paper towels, but on the other hand I think we were just doing a good old tear-down disassembly, not an attempt to actually reuse.  In any case, it did a pretty good job of getting the gunk off.

I'm not sure about you but when it comes to paper towels I think of those horrible rough things you had to use in primary school. 

The people that make Arctic Silver recommend coffee filters(combined with whatever solvent you're using, isopropyl alcohol is dirt cheap). I've been using those the last few times I had to remove thermal paste, and I haven't run into any obvious damage or long term issues.

This is what I was originally going to go with, with the exception of the coffee filters.

Well, my order arrives today so I'll be doing the swap at whatever time the delivery truck arrives. 
Thanks for all the help, I'll be sure to use it.