Lapping HDT sinks?

I just got a new CPU cooler and it has the HDT base that's becoming so popular. The finish is a little rough, but I'm reluctant to try lapping it, with the heatpipes exposed. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions on this?


EDIT: I failed to do my research prior to posting. Question answered, for me anyway. I've seen a few pictures of damage done to the heatpipes. That was what I was afraid of. Evidently it can be done, but has to be done very carefully, and as efficiently as possible, since the heatpipes in the area are so thin. I'll just leave mine alone.

This is surely an extreme example, but ugly nevertheless.

i wouldnt bother with it. the results would not justify the time and risk

to me there is 2 types of lapping. the first one is for getting through the nickel layer (IHS lapping) or getting it flat which removes alot of material. i would skip that step for the HDT coolers.

then you want to make it smoother with fine grits which is only what i would do with a HDT heatsinks.

where did you find the pic btw?

Well the good news is that manufacturers are taking note and polishing their HDT / HDC heatsink bases a little better. After my complaints on the base finish on the TX3 and 212 Plus offerings from Cooler Master they started finishing them a little better. The sent me an email telling me that one of each with the new surface finish is on the way for a followup.

I plan on doing some super macro shots of the surface that should equate to something like 30X magnification. This should lend some insight into how much finer the scratches are on the new finishes compared to the old rough ones. So far Cooler Master is the only one I am aware of making these changes but hopefully other manufacturers will take notice and follow Cooler Masters lead.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oneslowz28

So far Cooler Master is the only one I am aware of making these changes

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My Swiftech Apogee GTX from about 3 years ago was nicely finished to a near perfect mirror...I recently lapped it to re-flatten it out. I couldn't find paper over 2000 grit and couldn't get it to look like stock...:( (I didn't want to use polishing compound on it.)