How to remove "pink pad"?

[FPSguy]

I have a heatsink/fan that came with a retail Athlon. I recently replaced that processor and the heatsink has the "pink pad" on it. How can I get that off and, if I get it off and use acetone on the processor, can I then reinstall the processor and HS/F on another machine with AS3, or will the residue from the "pink pad" ruin the heat transfer (hence the nickname "pink pad of death"?)? I have tried acetone and alchohol and that pad does not want to come off. I can't think of anything to use to rub it off that won't scratch the bottom of the heatsink too badly. Thoughts?

 

[CTho9305]

fingernail?

 

[MichaelD]

Use your fingernail (NOT a knife!!!) to scrape off as much as you can. Wet a paper towel with either WD40 or acetone or Goof off. With elbow grease, it will come off. When all the pink stuff is gone, wash the heatsink under warm runnig water. Take the fan off first, obviously!! 😛

Dry well. Reinstall fan. Wipe bottom of hs with paper towel wet w/rubbing alcohol. Gets all residue off, including grease from your fingers. Reinstall with a thin layer (almost see thru, but not quite) of ASII/ASIII.

ps
Make sure to remove all residue of pink pad from CPU slug as well.

 

[FPSguy]

Man! No wonder they call it the pink pad of death. It's a close call whether to clean the HS/F or just chuck it and get a cheap replacement. I used acetone on the CPU. I don't see any obvious residue on it although I am sure there is some small, hard or impossible to see, residue. Not sure how to get that off if it doesn't come off with acetone. Thanks for the help!

 

[MichaelD]

You could just put the HS under running hot water for a few minutes to soften up whatever is left so you can scrape it off. And yes, the pink pad is very evil indeed.

 

[Lizardman]

you will have to sand it down to get all the pink residue off. 800 grit and higher if you want to try

 

[gwlam12]

huh? now im confused. the arctic silver website says do not use WD40 and do not melt the thermal pad. well, i dont know for sure if heating it up to soften the pad will have teh same effects as melting it.