how to clear a cooler to make return like new

[Duncan88]

I have an used Zalman CNPS 9900X.
Now i want to clear it and return it as new, not only air spray !


I have the same problem :



I circled in red.

There's some grey halos on the edges of the fins, hard to eliminate ! whit air spray is impossible and also whit a brush
The heatsink is in cooper recovered by nichel.

 

[Jay794]

There is no circle and by clear, I think you mean "clean"

 

[Surveyor]

There is no circle

Look closer, I can see two.

They're faint but they're there.

 

[Jay794]

Oh right I see them now, don't exactly stand out do they

 

[Surveyor]

Oh right I see them now, don't exactly stand out do they

They don't.

Improved version:

 

[Spenty]

Spray water on it

 

[Surveyor]

Spray water on it

That would be after he's taken it out of the PC

 

[Spenty]

On a serious note get a thin pipe cleaner or something to clean in between the heatsink.

 

[Helios1234]

Cotton bud dabbed in water could do it.