What electrical contact cleaner do you use and where do you get it?

[nebrazca78]

I've been using rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts of my cartridge only games and it doesn't work that well. It cleans the contacts Ok but usually seems to leave some slight corrosion afterward. It's time to upgrade to the real thing but they seem to be all aerosol and I was thinking it would be in tube form. So, what do you guys use, how much does it cost and where do you get it from?

[Sabz5150]

This, there and that much.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRIT2?PMAKA=00155507&PMPXNO=1653493&cm_re=ItemDetail-_-ResultListing-_-SearchResults

Not cheap. Thank the gods for tool bills :)

[Polygon]

I've been using this.

http://www.nintendorepairshop.com/products/160-NES-Repair-Tools-&-Kits/81--1-Nintendo-Game-Cleaning-Kit/

I'd like to hear how people are cleaning the system connectors.

[Cornelius]

I haven't found a 'squirt on' solution that truly works. I use a quality metal polish (i.e. not brasso) that I found at Home Depot. I've always taken apart carts to use it, though one could maybe figure out how to make it work without.

For system connectors I've actually had really good luck with very fine grit sandpaper wrapped around a credit card, then a 'wash' with rubbing alcohol on cotton paper wrapped around a cc. The sandpaper I use I believe is usually used for first-pass sanding on auto paint.

[xelement5x]

I haven't found a 'squirt on' solution that truly works. I use a quality metal polish (i.e. not brasso) that I found at Home Depot. I've always taken apart carts to use it, though one could maybe figure out how to make it work without.

For system connectors I've actually had really good luck with very fine grit sandpaper wrapped around a credit card, then a 'wash' with rubbing alcohol on cotton paper wrapped around a cc. The sandpaper I use I believe is usually used for first-pass sanding on auto paint.

If you've got the name of the metal polish I'd love to know :)

I've used sandpaper before as well on connectors, works pretty well. For carts I'll use rubbing alcohol + art eraser + very fine steel wool (only if it's very stubborn). Don't like using steel wool too much though since it's essentially filing away the contacts over a long period of time.

[Polygon]

But so is the sand paper. Which is why I'm not too keen on the idea.

[Sunnyvale]

For just cleaning carts or system contacts, I use whatever contact cleaner the local automotive shop on hand. It's heavy-duty, it works, and it's cheap, less than $7 a can. For anything that will move continously (volume knobs on radios, Atari paddles...) I use the more expensive stuff they sell at Radio Shack. It also has a lubricant, and it works great. I have a set of paddles that still works great and I sprayed them almost 3 years ago.

[Gameguy]

I've used sandpaper before as well on connectors, works pretty well. For carts I'll use rubbing alcohol + art eraser + very fine steel wool (only if it's very stubborn). Don't like using steel wool too much though since it's essentially filing away the contacts over a long period of time.
Steel wool isn't that good to use, small fibers of it can get embedded in the metal that you're using it on and then it will rust. Bronze wool might be better if you need anything that abrasive. I know some bicycle collectors use bronze wool to remove rust from chrome parts instead of steel wool for the reason I mentioned. I wouldn't use anything that abrasive on games myself though.

[wingzrow]

I swear by this stuff. It's fucking magic I swear. You can get it from walmart. Just rub this onto your contacts for NES, snes, etc, and use a non static cloth and your games will play like new. I can't even say how many games i've saved from the garbage by using this stuff, it's a miracle in a bottle.


http://i40.tinypic.com/s5adly.jpg

[Sabz5150]

I'd like to hear how people are cleaning the system connectors.

A piece of crocus cloth, folded over after a small spray of the CRC I posted above.

[Jaruff]

http://www.toolking.com/eagle-one-1035605-5-oz-original-nevr-dull-wadding-polish

If you need a spray:

http://www.autobarn.net/maairflsecl1.html?site=google_base

That shit will do the trick. Not only does it clean the contacts, it won't hurt the plastic. It's somewhat expensive but it works miracles. I don't know what the difference is between this and the CRC spray Sabz recommended but the price is cheaper and you might have an easier time finding it locally.

@wingzrow - I'll have to try that out. We have a glass cook top and use Weiman's to clean it. You're description is more than accurate.

[maxpacker]

I just use brasso very gingerly(only if it needs it) and rinse with denatured alcohol.

Works perfectly for every cart I own.

The Caig deoxit stuff is pretty awesome, but it's mega expensive, I tried some from radio shack and it was like 15.00 for a measly 5oz can thats easy to waste.

[nebrazca78]

Awesome info, thanks!

[nebrazca78]

Due to price and availability I ended up going with this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350521343650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

.