How do YOU clean your cartridges/discs? [Archive]

View Full Version : How do YOU clean your cartridges/discs?

Game Freak

09-08-2009, 03:10 PM

I understand that there are tons of guides out there on the internet telling you to use all these different things to clean cartridges and discs, but i was wondering if we could compile a big list here for all to enjoy. How do you clean your cartridges? does it depend on the system? How do you get fingerprints off discs? if any at all?

Also, if anyone knows of a generic way to fix light (or any) scratches, that would be cool to share as well.

I clean my cartridges with 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, but I first run over them with a Sacagawean golden dollar (is this safe?) I just clean my discs with water, and repurchase FUBAR discs (can't find any copies of Ape Escape 2, though!)

BetaWolf47

09-08-2009, 03:19 PM

http://reviews.ebay.com/The-SECRET-to-Cleaning-NES-Nintendo-Game-Connectors_W0QQugidZ10000000001205863

Works on any cart. Works as good as or better than sandpaper, and less harmful to the contacts.

Jorpho

09-08-2009, 03:37 PM

ApolloBoy

09-08-2009, 03:39 PM

http://reviews.ebay.com/The-SECRET-to-Cleaning-NES-Nintendo-Game-Connectors_W0QQugidZ10000000001205863

Works on any cart. Works as good as or better than sandpaper, and less harmful to the contacts.

Seconded. I use this on my carts as well and it gets the contacts extremely clean, way more than alcohol or abrasives.

Game Freak

09-08-2009, 07:21 PM

Seconded. I use this on my carts as well and it gets the contacts extremely clean, way more than alcohol or abrasives.

I ought to try that, but will any brand work? or should it be Weiman? Is it expensive?

BetaWolf47

09-08-2009, 07:24 PM

TheDomesticInstitution

09-08-2009, 07:29 PM

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134615
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132843
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132666
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70887

I 2nd this post. Did you do any forum searching? There are tons of threads here on this. I'm not sure I understand why you'd be compiling them.

Game Freak

09-08-2009, 07:36 PM

The cleaner has a distinct smell to it. Knockoff brands will do the trick, but I'm not sure which ones. Best stick with Weimen's. If you use that to clean it and the game still doesn't work, there's a 99% chance that dirty contacts aren't the issue.

If I were to put this onto the contacts of an NES cleaning cartridge (i can't seem to find my exact one on google, but it is a normal-looking gray cart with a "cleaning wand" sticking out of it and compartments inside it for storage of extra cleaning sheets

Frankie_Says_Relax

09-08-2009, 08:00 PM

I assume that it's similar to the cook-top cleaner mentioned, but I've had a can of "Sheila Shine" non conductive, non-abrasive metal polish that I've been using on NES contacts for the past few years. It works great.

https://gencosales.com/images/SS.jpg

If an NES game has massive crud build-up or corrosion going on I use a scotch brite pad with a bit of sheila shine on it.

for CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays that I purchase used I have an old recoton CD cleaning tray/pad. One spray of the cleaning solution (it's like camera lens cleaning fluid) and the non-abrasive pad wipes off any dust or fingerprints on the disc.

http://images.maplin.co.uk/100/cn41u_new.jpg

But that's just for used purchases, because once a disc-based game or movie is in my collection it never gets fingerprints on it ever again.

Game Freak

09-08-2009, 09:06 PM

But that's just for used purchases, because once a disc-based game or movie is in my collection it never gets fingerprints on it ever again.

yeah i can expect not many of us here will be cleaning fingerprints after we acquire games, but i have 4 brothers, and they're not very careful with my games, but my father unfortunately forces me to loan them out to them...

thanks for the Sheila Shine tip, btw!