cleaning cartridge games

[riderpool]

how do you guys usually clean your game?

[MrNelson]

Q-tip and rubbing alcohol for the connectors, and I usually just use alcohol and a paper towel to clean the outside of the cart.

[drmay]

ditto. plus googone takes permanent ink off of cartridges also.

[Rev. Link]

I thought Goo Gone was bad for plastic.

Anyway, when I'm at home I like to use my Nintendo cleaning wand, the one that came with the NES cleaning kit. That thing performs miracles! Nintendo used to sell them on their site, but don't anymore. Wish I knew where to get more of the things.

When I'm at work I just use the q-tip/rubbing alcohol combo. I find this also works for permanent marker on labels, just be sure to keep the amount of alcohol low. If your q-tip is too wet you can damage the label.

If there's dirt and scuzz on the cartridge, I like to use Clorox disinfectant wipes. I've also used them to clean stickers off of jewel cases.

[Eleuthria]

Cart Connectors: Q-tips and rubbing alcohol for connectors. There's just nothing else that seems to work well for that low of a price.

Carts with names on them: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and a rubbing alcohol/water mixture for cleaning names off of carts.

Carts with stickers: Goo Gone and a paper towel, followed by a q-tip and rubbing alcohol/water mix to get whatever is left.

[Zing]

I have been trying to think of something better than q-tips. Something the style of the NES cleaning wand. Wider and stronger, so I can clean with less effort.

It does seem that using alcohol is the most efficient method cost-wise. I use 99% alcohol. I also tried pure Isopropyl (the chemical from which isopropyl alcohol is derived), but it doesn't clean the connectors any better than alcohol. The only difference I noticed is a slight lubrication. It does make the carts slide in and out more easily, but the added cost and effort (it is more difficult to apply due to being in a spray) are not worth it.

[Ninjamohawk]

I open them up, use a soft eraser to gently remove any dark corrosion, then finish up with 91% rubbing alcohol and a soft clean cloth. For the outside I use a cloth and rubbing alcohol.

[Matt-El]

I dip em in a vat of battery acid, then proceed to run over each in my car. Works like a charm.

[tubeway]

how do you guys usually clean your game?

I think there are at least 3 rap songs about this.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Rubbing Alcohol for basic pin/connector maintenance

Non-conductive metal polish for "restoration" grade pin/connector cleaning

Small/thin Scotch-Brite Pads to remove any mold/patina/rust/corrosion that may have built up on cartridge connectors, followed by non-conductive metal polish.

Lighter Fluid to remove any stickers/glue on the exterior/plastic.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

wrote a guide just for this. Isopropanol alcohol works for removing grime, for for stubborn oxidization, you need a good eraser.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/how-to-clean-cartridge-contacts/

[Zing]

I read that erasers can remove some of the metal coating. I suppose it depends on what kind of eraser you use. Are the erasers you use plastic or rubber?

[Darko]

I read that erasers can remove some of the metal coating. I suppose it depends on what kind of eraser you use. Are the erasers you use plastic or rubber?

Why not try a Magic Eraser? I've never tried it personally (but I also just thought of it). You can't get too carried away with it but I'm willing to bet a quick rub would get those things looking shiny again.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Why not try a Magic Eraser? I've never tried it personally (but I also just thought of it). You can't get too carried away with it but I'm willing to bet a quick rub would get those things looking shiny again.

Magic Erasers are essentially micro-micro-micro-fine abrasive with some cleanser agents in there.

I've never used one but they should work to get hard-caked scum and probably even rust off of metal contacts, but I also wouldn't go nuts with it as it could buff the metal off.

Same goes for the Scotch-Brite pads.

[megasdkirby]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ClassiClean-ColecoVision-JUMBO-Game-Syst-Cleaning-Kit-/220756193595?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item336618313b

I heard the solution in the link above was very good. But has anyone tried it?

[Darko]

...but I also wouldn't go nuts with it as it could buff the metal off.

Ha...I guess it's possible...but you would have to rub the hell out of that thing for a pretty decent amount of time. If the rust is all the way through the pin, the game is shot anyway.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ClassiClean-ColecoVision-JUMBO-Game-Syst-Cleaning-Kit-/220756193595?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item336618313b

I heard the solution in the link above was very good. But has anyone tried it?

No, but it looks good if the photos are any indication.

Cleanser and polish all in one, and it comes with a bunch of pap-smear q-tips for all your amateur Gynecology needs!

[megasdkirby]

Cleanser and polish all in one, and it comes with a bunch of pap-smear q-tips for all your amateur Gynecology needs!

Don't make me go back to college! LOL

[Ninjamohawk]

I don't buy into the special solvents when alcohol works just fine.

[SpaceHarrier]

I use alcohol and Q-tips myself.

I was in a local game store awhile back and the cashier was selling someone an NES game. Before he put the game in a bag, he pulled out a piece of SAND PAPER and gave the pin-connectors a vigorous scratchin' :shameful:

[MrNelson]

I use alcohol and Q-tips myself.

I was in a local game store awhile back and the cashier was selling someone an NES game. Before he put the game in a bag, he pulled out a piece of SAND PAPER and gave the pin-connectors a vigorous scratchin' :shameful:

@_@
I would have decked the guy.

[Ninjamohawk]

if it was extremely fine sandpaper and all he did was carefully sand *just* the pins, lightly, it might be okay.

But still kind of foolish.

[Rev. Link]

If that happened to me I would think I was on some kind of hidden camera show.

Seriously, I'd be very loud and adamant about telling the guy not to do that, and if he did anyway I'd ask for my money back immediately.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I read that erasers can remove some of the metal coating. I suppose it depends on what kind of eraser you use. Are the erasers you use plastic or rubber?

Standard pink rubber erasers like found on the top of pencils, but standalone.

I have almost 200 NES games and they've all been cleaned this way. Doing this in no way cases any damage or scratches to the pins. Avoid the more abrasive erasers If the eraser you use falls into bits when you rub it against something, then its soft enough for the task.

As mentioned, don't use a magic eraser.

[mdk]

I'm pretty meticulous when it comes to cleaning games. I attach them with Goo Gone, Fantastic, erasers and alcohol. I aways use a folded up paper towel instead of a cotton swab.

[Zing]

Has anyone used Goo Gone on the cart pins?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

ugh, don't use goo gone on edge connectors...theres no reason to and it would just make them slimy. A good eraser is really all you need.

[Ataritard]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Brasso. Though I think it's the most thorough way to clean the connectors in a NES cart, I have used erasers, alcohol and Q-tips and I don't think my Nintendo can tell the difference.

[jammajup]

I just open them up if possible and use an eraser or use a sheet of folded white paper with a few drops of cleaning fluid and you can see the carbon deposit being removed and staining the paper.

[OldSkoolBrian]

We open them up and use a scotch-brite pad. Works everytime. When cleaning the outside we use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. We only add alcohol when there is Marker.

[PentiumMMX]

I might as well break down my usual cleaning system:

For cleaning connectors: A dry q-tip. I'll use alcohol if it really needs it, but most of the time, a dry q-tip works well enough. If the connectors are rusted badly, I'll use very fine sandpaper as a last resort; I know how destructive that stuff can be if handled improperly.

For cleaning the outside: If it's just a little dirty, I'll use some anti-static wipes (The kind you typically find at places like Office Depot). Otherwise, I break out the Clorox wipes.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Brasso. Though I think it's the most thorough way to clean the connectors in a NES cart, I have used erasers, alcohol and Q-tips and I don't think my Nintendo can tell the difference.

I mentioned non-conductive metal polish (which is what Brasso is), and I do use it. Cartridge contacts typically look out-of-box brand new when I hit them with it.

[homerhomer]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is pretty awesome for cleaning plastic

For copper contacts I've usually try q-tip and swab, but have used brasso with necessary.

[The 1 2 P]

I usually use an alcohol dipped q-tip to clean both the connectors and outside of a cart. I'll only use goo be gone if the alcohol isn't doing the job.

[Ataritard]

I mentioned non-conductive metal polish (which is what Brasso is), and I do use it. Cartridge contacts typically look out-of-box brand new when I hit them with it.

You did mention Brasso. It is good stuff, isn't it? Every one should know about it and use it.