goo gone sucks

[darer234]

Hi, i have 300+ nes carts i just aquired. yay me.
so a few of them have marker on them, its been a while since i cleaned a nes cart and decided goo gone was the way to go.

bad move, it eats plastic.

long story short, i now have a nice flat plastic spot where there used to be marker on a Krazy Kiwi cart. its barley noticable, but hell i see it.

i tried using magic eraser once i realized that the goo gone eats the plastic, but the way the nes carts are they have that marbled look and the marker still remains in the small cracks.


what do you guys use?

also since we are talking about cleaning, what about console and handheld housings? i go through about 10 game gears every two weeks and am always looking for better methods on restoring them. currently i just throw them in a dishwasher, with all the metal and internals out, and then hand polish and use a polishing wheel on low speed.

thx for looking.

[Gameguy]

I've never had Goo Gone damage the plastic. Sometimes I use it on the labels too, but not by the edge and I don't let it sit for long.

[darer234]

I've never had Goo Gone damage the plastic. Sometimes I use it on the labels too, but not by the edge and I don't let it sit for long.

this is the goo gone in a spray bottle, its thick and orange.

[zektor]

I try not to use anything very hardcore. Isopropyl alcohol (91%) on a q-tip usually gets out any type of marker I have encountered. If marker is on the label, I use a *tiny* amount of windex ona paper towel and quickly swipe it. I'll test it first in a tiny area, and then do the rest. Both of these methods have never failed me.

If something is sticky (like sticker residue) I use lighter fluid (ronsonol).

That's about it and I have nice beautiful carts in my collection ;)

[darer234]

I try not to use anything very hardcore. Isopropyl alcohol (91%) on a q-tip usually gets out any type of marker I have encountered. If marker is on the label, I use a *tiny* amount of windex ona paper towel and quickly swipe it. I'll test it first in a tiny area, and then do the rest. Both of these methods have never failed me.

If something is sticky (like sticker residue) I use lighter fluid (ronsonol).

That's about it and I have nice beautiful carts in my collection ;) thanks for the tips, off to wal mart for ronsonol.

[jcalder8]

I've never had any problems with goo gone. But I've never heard of it being in a spray bottle.

[skaar]

Yeah you're using the wrong shit man.

Goo Gone All Purpose Citrus Cleaner GG66, 24 oz spray bottle

Citrus solvent with no bad odor! Super strong for indoor and outdoor use. Great for cleaning stove tops and ovens, sinks and counters, bathrooms, outdoor furniture, baby furniture, ceiling fans, microwave ovens, windows, mirrors, toys, floors, and other areas needing general cleaning. Also works as a laundry pre-wash treatment. (Test for colorfastness before using.)

That's not the stuff people use.

http://www.marbeck.com/cleaners_household_goo_gone.html

[kedawa]

For really stubborn ass funk, I use WD40 immediately followed by dish detergent.

[Arkhan]

a quick swipe of non acetone nail polish slayer works too.

You want the 8oz GOOGONE bottle of clear yellowish liquid.

but not this citrus nonsense. lol

http://www.amazon.com/MAGIC-AMERICA-GG12-Goo-Gone/dp/B00006IBNJ this one!

[riboflavin]

I've found the best stuff for NES carts is Testers Model Paint Thinner... yeah... really.

Paint Thinner? Yes... Testers... the company that makes model airplanes. Reason it works so well is model airplanes are plastic!

It's only sold in little bottles. But the good news it can be had at any hobby shop. You can use it to clean the carts (q-tips) and is very handy for removing stickers and stuff if you ever get a used rental lot.

Just a tip that I learned via luck.

[Ryaan1234]

Yeah you're using the wrong shit man.

Goo Gone All Purpose Citrus Cleaner GG66, 24 oz spray bottle

Citrus solvent with no bad odor! Super strong for indoor and outdoor use. Great for cleaning stove tops and ovens, sinks and counters, bathrooms, outdoor furniture, baby furniture, ceiling fans, microwave ovens, windows, mirrors, toys, floors, and other areas needing general cleaning. Also works as a laundry pre-wash treatment. (Test for colorfastness before using.)

That's not the stuff people use.

http://www.marbeck.com/cleaners_household_goo_gone.html

Lemme add that I use:

Goo Gone Spray Gel Citrus Cleaner GGHS12, 12 oz spray bottle

Which is similar to what Skaar is talking about. The only difference is that I use this stuff on everything and have never experienced it eating plastic. I think that it's a different "strength" of cleaner.

[Carey85]

In response to the OP's complaint about the finish on his NES cart being marred, Goo Gone didn't cause that. You being aggressive with a Magic Eraser caused that. Magic Erasers are a last resort weapon when it comes to cleaning plastic. I'll use them in a pinch to take scuffs off of plastic at the expense of some light wear to the finish if I see fit.

[garagesaleking!!]

I also use goo be gone on cd cases and game carts all the time and have never had it eat through the plastic, I have even used paint thinner in extreme circumstances and never had that do any damage.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

What Carey said. Magic erasers are like fine sandpaper, they will wear down the texture. I have cleaned hundreds of carts and systems with goo gone, and I've never had it damage plastic. There are two types of goo gone, one of them is more like goof off than the regular goo gone. Stay away from the other stuff. Goo Gone may damage labels, but that's it.

Also, if you are trying to remove Permanent Marker on a cart, the best method is to use a dry erase marker. Color over the permanent and then erase it several times, and you'll see it wear away. Sometimes it takes 8 or 9 times, but it usually gets all of it. The wipe the residue off with a wet cloth, if there's any discoloration.

[Gaara_Of_the_Sand]

I use:
Brasso
Windex
Isopropyl Alchohol

Brasso for permanent marker and scuffs, just a light rub, wount destroy finish, then use ammonia based windex to get the brasso off.

alchohol for dusting and easily removed stuff.

[NE146]

Sounds like you're using the wrong Goo Gone.

However even if so why are you trying to use Goo Gone for marker? I thought Goo Gone was only to remove sticky residue/stickers, etc. Not marker.

[jb143]

I have always been able to remove all traces of permanent marker by just using alchohol. I don't even use the strong stuff. Just dollar store rubbing alcholol and some q tips. For deep down in the plastic texture I use the scrubby back of kitchen sponge.

I have used Goo Gone to remove stickers and such. My only complaint with it, is that the Goo Gone itself is a mess to clean up afterwards. I've never tried the spray kind. Is it any better?

[Zapf]

What Carey said. Magic erasers are like fine sandpaper, they will wear down the texture. I have cleaned hundreds of carts and systems with goo gone, and I've never had it damage plastic. There are two types of goo gone, one of them is more like goof off than the regular goo gone. Stay away from the other stuff. Goo Gone may damage labels, but that's it.

Also, if you are trying to remove Permanent Marker on a cart, the best method is to use a dry erase marker. Color over the permanent and then erase it several times, and you'll see it wear away. Sometimes it takes 8 or 9 times, but it usually gets all of it. The wipe the residue off with a wet cloth, if there's any discoloration.

I have some permanent marker on a camerica cart (one of the silver painted ones like a zelda cart). magic marker removes the silver, rubbing alcohol barely works (I barely lightened one area after an hour of sitting and several minutes of rubbing - rubbing too hard managed to remove a little bit of silver as well). Would the dry erase marker work in this situation? would a "no-scratch" scotch pad be an option?

[Zing]

this is the goo gone in a spray bottle, its thick and orange.

I have real "Goo Gone" brand in a spray bottle and it is not thick at all. It's a very thin yellow oil.

I have successfully used this Goo Gone on a variety of things, but I admit never to remove sharpie. The only time I had it go bad on me is when I tried to remove sticker residue from a DVD. Some of the liquid got into the inside edge of the disc and seeped between the plastic layers, dissolving whatever adhesive keeps the disc layers together. I am lucky it was just a random crappy pre-owned movie I didn't even care for.

I have successfully removed sharpie by drawing over it with a dry-erase marker. The chemical in the marker causes the sharpie to come off for whatever reason. Then you can use a damp cloth to wipe it clean.

[kedawa]

I have used Goo Gone to remove stickers and such. My only complaint with it, is that the Goo Gone itself is a mess to clean up afterwards.
Same here. Goo gone leaves an oily residue that can be hard to get rid of, but I've never seen it damage the plastic itself.

[Zapf]

I have real "Goo Gone" brand in a spray bottle and it is not thick at all. It's a very thin yellow oil.

it also comes in spray gel form

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100672169&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100672169&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D28X-_-100672169&locStoreNum=1950&marketID=234

[whoisKeel]

I've found the best stuff for NES carts is Testers Model Paint Thinner... yeah... really.

Paint Thinner? Yes... Testers... the company that makes model airplanes. Reason it works so well is model airplanes are plastic!

It's only sold in little bottles. But the good news it can be had at any hobby shop. You can use it to clean the carts (q-tips) and is very handy for removing stickers and stuff if you ever get a used rental lot.

Just a tip that I learned via luck.

Me too. Have been using Testor's model paint thinner for years to get marker off. I'd say I have something like 90% success out of maybe 40 carts I've tried to get marker off, and no damaged carts in the process. (some are just really stubborn). It will also take silver rental sticker residue off with ease.

I don't find rubbing alcohol to be much better than water as a cleaner/remover, it just evaporates faster.

[Octopod]

I use rubbing alcohol to remove marker. It has always worked for me.

[allyourblood]

I've used Goo Gone to remove marker from carts for years. It's got about a 70% success rate for me; that is, seventy percent of the time I can remove all of the marker with Goo Gone, completely, with no faint traces remaining. The other 30% of the time I can get most of the marker up, but an annoying, faint marking remains. I have a feeling this is due to the type of marker used and the dyes or chemicals in it.

The Goo Gone I use is the thin, yellow oil mentioned by several here. As for its removal, I never have any trouble. I use the Goo Gone on the marker or stickers, and then follow that with 409 household cleaner, and then chase that with a paper towel slightly dampened with water. All traces of the Goo Gone are removed entirely and the original surface is restored: no oily residue, and no stickiness either.

Magic Erasers work best on smooth plastic, but regardless of what surface they're applied to, given enough time or pressure you will bald the surface, making matte or textured finishes smooth, and smooth finishes shiny (or shinier). Because of this, I haven't found much use for these anymore, though they can be useful on occasion.

I am always surprised when I read about people being able to remove marker completely with rubbing alcohol -- perhaps on jewel cases or smooth plastics, yes, but on textured surfaces like NES carts?? I tried this for years with little success; most of the time it removes about 50% of the marker, but very defined color has always been left behind. In fact, I have gone over older carts (that wouldn't come clean with rubbing alcohol) with Goo Gone, and basically rescued what I had previously thought was a lost cause.

I think the one thing we can all count on is that no one method is going to work with perfect results all of the time. Just try different methods, gently and carefully, and most likely you will arrive at satisfactory results.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I have some permanent marker on a camerica cart (one of the silver painted ones like a zelda cart). magic marker removes the silver, rubbing alcohol barely works (I barely lightened one area after an hour of sitting and several minutes of rubbing - rubbing too hard managed to remove a little bit of silver as well). Would the dry erase marker work in this situation? would a "no-scratch" scotch pad be an option?

I have a few Camerica carts too, but mine have never had marker on them. I know the finish on those are really touchy, so I'd be very careful. You may want to try it on an isolated spot. Anyway I can't say for sure if this method will harm the finish. But I've found it's the best method for the standard gray carts. It's the first thing I try before moving on to alcohol or any other method.

[jb143]

I am always surprised when I read about people being able to remove marker completely with rubbing alcohol -- perhaps on jewel cases or smooth plastics, yes, but on textured surfaces like NES carts?? .

That's why I mention the kitchen sponge. It gets down into the textured surface and won't scratch up the plastic. I've been doing this for years and it's never failed. Never had to clean up a messy cleaner residue afterwards either since the alchohol evaporates away on its own.

If a name is written in crayon or something you might have to use goo gone(I don't know, I haven't needed to yet) but for markers of all types and colors rubbing alchohol has removed 100% of it...for me anyways.

[allyourblood]

That's why I mention the kitchen sponge. It gets down into the textured surface and won't scratch up the plastic. I've been doing this for years and it's never failed. Never had to clean up a messy cleaner residue afterwards either since the alchohol evaporates away on its own.

If a name is written in crayon or something you might have to use goo gone(I don't know, I haven't needed to yet) but for markers of all types and colors rubbing alchohol has removed 100% of it...for me anyways.

Interesting. Again, I've tried this method numerous times without success. The next batch of NES games with marker I get, I'm gonna try a few of the methods listed here side by side, and post photos of the results. I'll have to wait until I get a bunch of games from the same person with the same marker so it'll be a fair comparison. For the sake of the games, I hope all methods work!

[Octopod]

That's why I mention the kitchen sponge. It gets down into the textured surface and won't scratch up the plastic. I've been doing this for years and it's never failed. Never had to clean up a messy cleaner residue afterwards either since the alchohol evaporates away on its own.

If a name is written in crayon or something you might have to use goo gone(I don't know, I haven't needed to yet) but for markers of all types and colors rubbing alchohol has removed 100% of it...for me anyways.


I scrub on it with a Q-tip and that gets to it pretty good.

[Zapf]

I have a few Camerica carts too, but mine have never had marker on them. I know the finish on those are really touchy, so I'd be very careful. You may want to try it on an isolated spot. Anyway I can't say for sure if this method will harm the finish. But I've found it's the best method for the standard gray carts. It's the first thing I try before moving on to alcohol or any other method.

yeah, I tried it a few times on my camerica cart the other night. only the magic eraser wipes off =/

[zektor]

I scrub on it with a Q-tip and that gets to it pretty good.


Bingo!

[jb143]

I scrub on it with a Q-tip and that gets to it pretty good.

Are you talking about crayon? I've never had the problem so I don't know. I just know that Goo Gone is suposed to get it off. For marker I already mentioned in my earlier post about using only rubbing alcohol and some q-tips...and the sponge for deep in the texture stuborn marker.

I just don't see the point in using 3 or more different chemcals to clean off marker/previous chemicals when you can clean it and the pins at the same time with 1 chemical.

[allyourblood]

I just don't see the point in using 3 or more different chemcals to clean off marker/previous chemicals when you can clean it and the pins at the same time with 1 chemical.

Well, to reiterate, not everyone has had the same level of success as you with rubbing alcohol. I never have.

I use Goo Gone, chase it with 409 and if I feel it's necessary, water (which doesn't really count as a chemical) because the combination provides a fantastic and exhaustive removal and cleaning. Heck, even if I'm not removing marker, I clean most of my carts with a rag sprayed with 409 anyway. It removes the light layer of dust or dirt from handling that tends to reside on these 20-year old cartridges. Also, I usually have the Goo Gone out to clean off rental stickers and unwanted tape or labels, so that product does double-duty right there.

[ScottK]

I use:

Windex for small jobs

Goo Gone and/or Rubbing Alcohol for medium jobs

Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover for tough jobs (this will eat the plastic though so only use it as a last resort, but it does get rid of markers very easily).

Magic Erasers work well with any of the fluids mentioned above.

[xertcev]

Don't forget the Micro-Fiber towels. I use these things on everything.
You can clean a lot of stuff with just water and one of these.
They're lint free and dirt and grime really seem to stick to them.

You can usually find them in the automotive section of stores.

[allyourblood]

Don't forget the Micro-Fiber towels. I use these things on everything.
You can clean a lot of stuff with just water and one of these.
They're lint free and dirt and grime really seem to stick to them.


Agreed. I keep a few of these just for cleaning video games. I also use just regular paper towels, too.

[wingzrow]

Do not use goo gone for too long on ANY dvd cases. It eats through the plastic & warps it.

For the mr. clean magic eraser, don't use it on cart stickers, and don't rub too hard or you can flatten out nes carts tiny bumps. You CAN use it on nes stickers but 10% of the carts out there do NOT have a protective plastic coating so if you use it on one without knowing, you ruin it.

[Tokimemofan]

I've used Goo Gone to remove marker from carts for years. It's got about a 70% success rate for me; that is, seventy percent of the time I can remove all of the marker with Goo Gone, completely, with no faint traces remaining. The other 30% of the time I can get most of the marker up, but an annoying, faint marking remains. I have a feeling this is due to the type of marker used and the dyes or chemicals in it.

The Goo Gone I use is the thin, yellow oil mentioned by several here. As for its removal, I never have any trouble. I use the Goo Gone on the marker or stickers, and then follow that with 409 household cleaner, and then chase that with a paper towel slightly dampened with water. All traces of the Goo Gone are removed entirely and the original surface is restored: no oily residue, and no stickiness either.

Magic Erasers work best on smooth plastic, but regardless of what surface they're applied to, given enough time or pressure you will bald the surface, making matte or textured finishes smooth, and smooth finishes shiny (or shinier). Because of this, I haven't found much use for these anymore, though they can be useful on occasion.

I am always surprised when I read about people being able to remove marker completely with rubbing alcohol -- perhaps on jewel cases or smooth plastics, yes, but on textured surfaces like NES carts?? I tried this for years with little success; most of the time it removes about 50% of the marker, but very defined color has always been left behind. In fact, I have gone over older carts (that wouldn't come clean with rubbing alcohol) with Goo Gone, and basically rescued what I had previously thought was a lost cause.

I think the one thing we can all count on is that no one method is going to work with perfect results all of the time. Just try different methods, gently and carefully, and most likely you will arrive at satisfactory results.

Usually I just grab a Kleenex and soak it in Isopropyl Alcohol until it is dripping then rub the spot hard, just don't even attempt near labels as the printing will come off, use goo gone for those (The goo gone Stock number I use is GG44 which I think is a smaller version of GG12)

[fairyland]

I use De-Solv-It (http://www.amazon.com/Solv-Cleaner-22608-12-Oz/dp/B000BQWVTQ) which used to be in stores everywhere, but I think it was a fad product of the 90s as it's next to impossible to find in the wild now. I went to several stores looking for a new bottle of it and I could only find it at a private hardware shop and in a "Contractors' Solvent" version which seems to be the same exact stuff as the normal stuff but higher priced. This works on most markers for me without damaging the cart plastic (it will wreck labels if left on too long), but recently I got a large batch of NES carts that this just won't work on. I note that some marker comes off really easily and others never come off. I wonder why?