Can I reuse a cpu heatsink/fan

[FATAL FLAW]

I put too much thermal compound on my processor so can I reuse my thermaltake heatsink and fan and how should I clean the heatsink from the thermalcompund?

 

[wol-va-rine]

I put too much thermal compound on my processor so can I reuse my thermaltake heatsink and fan and how should I clean the heatsink from the thermalcompund?

yes, I just use a rag and isopropyl alcohol, and sometimes a q-tip to get in some hard to reach places also...

 

[MooseMan1]

What he said. As long as you clean the surface that touches the cpu/thermal paste thoroughly with alcohol. Once the surface is completely dry and shiny, the heatsink is ready to go.

EDIT: Be sure to reapply the correct amount of thermal paste to the heatsink before attaching the heatsink to the CPU. A rule of thumb is a drop the size of a B.B.
Here is an example on an GPU:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Thermalgrease.jpg

 

[disturbed13]

or if you dont like those ideas
then if you used AC Thermal Paste
they make a cleander specificly made to remove any traces of the paste from the cpu
i guess it just depends on what you want to do