Long story short, I bought a used frame with a CK headset installed. The grit from sandblasting the frame (raw Ti) was never cleaned out and it has pervaded the bearings in the headset bearings. After reading through the CK website, I think it would be best if I removed the cups from the frame to do the cleaning.

Is there a special tool I need to use to remove headset cups, or can I just use the regular Park Tool one? And do I really need to use the special CK tool to press the cups back in or will a regular headset press be ok?

After I have the cups out, how do I get the sand out? The CK site was a bit vague on this part.

Sorry for the noobie questions... this is actually the first sealed bearing headset I've ever had to deal with.

Cups come out with normal 'rocket tool', seals come out like normal sealed bearings

fear not if you F them up CK has spare seals.

the cups to press them in are aluminum , and come to an edge
you may be able to press them in without damaging them.
use caution.
CK does have a special accessory to add to Park's tool
to press them in without risk of blemishing them.

I've installed CK headsets using a homemade headset press (All-thread rod, big washers and two nuts). Make sure the washers are large enough to span the edges of the cups as you do not want to press on the bearing cartridges. I made leather disks to line each washer and protect the cup edges.

+1, it seems that of all the headsets out there the CK headset installation is the one that really benefits from using the long bolt or all-thread w/ nuts and large washers because it keeps the pressure on the outside of the cups and off of the bearings that are factory installed in the cups.

I've got a CK headset I've used on three different mountain bikes, and on all three installations I've used the simple large bolt/nuts/washers tool to install it. Our shop is a CK dealer and we have the special CK installation tools, but it can be done safely without them.

Great, thanks for the clarifications!

Can someone snap a pic of their "large bolt/nuts/washers tool"? It sounds easy enough to go to Home Depot to pick up some hardware and make one of these myself.

2ft of 1/2-13 threaded rod. huge washers. 2 nuts. juggle everything and try to keep it centered. works but pain in the ass. try to find some fine threaded rod(unf). 13tpi is really coarse. fine threads make pressing easier