Can I reuse a heatsink with a thermal pad previously on it?

[kapalua]

I'm upgrading my P4 2.0 GHz to a 2.6 in a Dell 8200. I want to reuse the SAME heatsink with the NEW processor (I understand the heatsink that ships in the retail Intel box will not fit my Dell) will cleaning off as much of the old thermal pad as possible with Acetone or Goof Off be the best way to ensure a very clean surface on which to apply a thin film of Arctic Silver or similar conductive material? Help! I've read in an article that one should even use 600 grit, wet sand paper gently to clean off the traces of wax left from the thermal pad but I'm VERY reluctant to do this...

 

[BigJ]

Yes you can, use a credit card to scrape off the thermal pad. Then use cotton-swaps or q-tips coupled with Goof Off to take off the remaining parts of the pad. Then use 90% alcohol or greater to get off any remaining residue of the pad and goof off residue.

 

[kapalua]

Thanks for the info. Is that 90 % Isopropyl Alcohol? Where do I get that? I think the pharmacy stuff might be only 70 %

What about acetone. I read that works great to get the thermal pad residue off the HS. Goof Off has other contaminates in it.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: kapalua
Thanks for the info. Is that 90 % Isopropyl Alcohol? Where do I get that? I think the pharmacy stuff might be only 70 %

What about acetone. I read that works great to get the thermal pad residue off the HS. Goof Off has other contaminates in it.

From what I've read, acetone has slightly more contaminates in it then Goof Off (at least the nail polish acetone that people commonly use). Thats why you clean up afterwards with the Isopropyl alcohol. You should be able to get that at the pharmany or CVS or something.