Opening a SNES...

[Drifter 2000]

Hey all, just registered a few days ago and I have a question for any SNES experts on the boards.

I've got a few old SNES systems laying around that have connectors rusted beyond repair and am interested in possibly taking them apart to use what's left as extra parts. The only problem I have is actually getting the things open.

My question is...what type of screw driver bit do I need to use to open the case?

[thedeityofhardcore]

While we're at it how do I deyellow my SNES?

[Drifter 2000]

While we're at it how do I deyellow my SNES?

Try using some rubbing alcohol on paper towel to scrub it off. This likely won't completely de-yellow it since the problem is in the plastic itself.

[Cornelius]

Yeah, the plastic itself is the problem, so I don't think you'll have much luck with any 'cleaning'. When we say it is the plastic, that means that even if it were shut in a box and never taken out for all these years, it still would have yellowed over time. Some batches were like this, and some were not. I'm not sure if anyone has checked if it is oxidation (exposure to air/O2), or a straight up age process, but it is NOT determined by sunlight exposure as a lot of people assume (though I'm sure sunlight doesn't help).

As for getting it open, you need the security bit for that. You can find them on eBay. My wife got me a whole set for opening games from ThinkGeek.com. The parts in the set aren't the greatest quality, and it doesn't cover everything, but it has done everything I've needed it to (NES, SNES, VB, GG, etc).

[Drifter 2000]

Thanks very much Cornelius. I shall take a look around Ebay.

[Kyle15]

Head on over to NCSX.com.
I got my Gamebit from them, and it opened my N64 and SNES perfectly. :)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

While we're at it how do I deyellow my SNES?

http://paint-and-supplies.hardwarestore.com/49-266-plastic-spray-paint/krylon-fusion-spray-paint-649149.aspx

[PSerge]

Frankie, does the color match up good with the original SNES color? I have a few systems with tops or bottoms that are yellow and I only want to paint the half that is discolored.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Frankie, does the color match up good with the original SNES color? I have a few systems with tops or bottoms that are yellow and I only want to paint the half that is discolored.

I was HALF joking, however, Krylon plastic bonding plastic spray paint is actually pretty great stuff when being sprayed on plastic. Very durable.

If you don't mind losing the logo off of your SNES (or I suppose you could tape it off) I would imagine if you could remove everything from the shell including the eject lever, and purple slider buttons, you could spray the whole thing to a pretty nice, relatively close color.

[PSerge]

Well, I only asked because of the amount of SNES systems I have with some sort of yellowing.. I normally sell the yellowed systems at the flea market and Ebay the good ones, but if painting works, I might just start Ebaying all of them..

Thanks for the link.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Well, I only asked because of the amount of SNES systems I have with some sort of yellowing.. I normally sell the yellowed systems at the flea market and Ebay the good ones, but if painting works, I might just start Ebaying all of them..

Thanks for the link.

Yeah, it's good stuff. Never used it on a SNES, but it actually bonds with the plastic it's sprayed on ... doesn't flake, chip or scrape off once dry. I'd probably top it off with a coat of Krylon crystal clear if you're going to test spray one.

You can get the stuff at any Home Depot / Lowes Hardware / etc.