cleaning the microprocessor

I don't know about the film, but you should use isopropyl alcohol 92%, or as high a percentage as you can find. Use a clean paper towel, wipe as many times as it takes to get all of the old paste off. Blow off fibers from the towel. When applying new paste, a little goes a long way, and too much can be bad; generally no more than the size of a grain of rice.

Is the plastic sheet applied like one over the screen of new phone, etc?

 

I recommend a coffee filter, I hear those are nice.

As for type, it really doesn't matter that much, the lower the percentage, the longer you should let it dry, that's all.

 

Hello.

Apple, like most other computer manufacturers uses a wax-based heat transfer compound that is a real pain to remove. At least on some of their systems. I can't speak for your eMac.
Alcohol usually won't work very well.

Arctic Sliver makes an excellent thermal material remover called ArctiClean.

Plain old "Goo Gone" and other citrus-base cleaners seem to work just as well.

After using Goo Gone, be sure to use strong alcohol to clean off the citrus cleaner.

you probably want to check the finish of the heatsink and CPU. The CPU is probably very flat and smooth but the heatsink possibly isn't.
If the heatsink has a relatively rough extruded finish, don't use a "thin" heat transfer compound. Use a thicker paste compound or lap the heatsink surface flat and smooth.

Good Luck,
Keri

 

Yes you want to use the highest % alcohol you can find. Also you need to use a lint free cloth to clean the surface clean so you dont leave anything behind.

If you can get that pad off and the heat sink and processor square clean you can then apply a small amount of a good sliver paste.

Remember once applied it depends on the kind of paste you bought but most need a 72-hour burn in time to help it set right. So just leave you emac on a few days and dont let it go to sleep and you should be good to go.