Best way to go about getting generic paste off the core?

[iwishiwaselite]

I want to get the generic paste off and add some arctic silver soon.

I suppose I could just wipe it off, But i'm sure that wont get it all off.

Also, What type of sandpaper is best for lapping the bottom of a heatsink?

 

[GiZzO]

Motor degreaser and rubbing alcohol.

Sand paper just go to your local auto store you'll find wet body sand paper you can find all the way up too 2000. start with 400, then 800, 1000 then 1500 and polish with 2000. Should look just like a mirror if you put alot time into it.

 

[bacillus]

rubbing alcohol on a lintfree cloth.
when using the arctic silver, it is recomended that you don't use your bare finger pulp to spread it due to contamination issues!

 

[enginjon]

When sanding the Heatsink, keep in mind that the best way to get everything precisely flat is to start coarse and go to fine (smaller number - higher number). And the best way to do the sanding is to tape down the sandpaper on an extremely flat surface, then with the heatsink in your hand, use circular sanding motions with the bottom surface of the heatsink on the sandpaper. This will insure precise flatness.

 

[TuOni]

see above

 

[Poof]

Wiping off excess, then using some acetone (polish remover), and finishing off with rubbing alcohol works (drying with lint-free cloth and then air-dry). I've found however that removing arctic silver with the acetone wasn't as effective as it was with the generic grease. Some ethyl alcohol (also sold as rubbing alcohol like isopropyl alcohol) seemed to help in that case.