Refurbished Controllers

[MarioMania]

When I buy controllers I always do a stress test on it

Tap the Buttons to see if it responds..

When I get a Genesis 3 Button, I test it with Sonic 2 with the 6 button I play Street Fighter 2 SCE

As well with SNES controllers, I test with Street Fighter 2

How do you guys make it like new??

[PreZZ]

I always open every used console, controller or game I buy. I take out the pcb out of the contoller and soak the rest in the sink with good ol' Sunlight dish soap and scrub with a soft sponge. I scrub the pcb with alcohol and a cotton swab too, and when I reassemble it I shine it with some Armor all. I also clean every cartridge with a cotton swab and alcohol. I recently bought a used N64 controller that was disgusting and the buttons didnt register correctly, and after this process you could believe its brand new! Also the model 1 genesis (I never saw a clean system EVER!) look amazing after a good cleaning, its the best looking console IMO. I think Ill post a before and after picture, you wont believe how good they look afterwards! A good cleaning is very important with a used controller, they will work much better after. Getting a cheap, dirty console lot and bringing it back too life is really one of the fun parts of retro gaming, I gave a like new genesis with all sonics to my nephew and he really digs it!

[Drixxel]

Getting a cheap, dirty console lot and bringing it back too life is really one of the fun parts of retro gaming...

Completely agreed. There's something entirely satisfying about a small clean-up project, and it feels good in a sort of "paying respect to the hardware" kind of way.

[Emperor Megas]

I'm the same way about cleaning new acquisitions that were cruddy when I got them. I really love taking something thrashed and cleaning it up.

[Sundowner]

keep in mind(at least for super nintendo controllers) the rubber parts inside the controller can wear out after extended use. You can buy just the rubber parts new on ebay.

[ProjectCamaro]

I do the same as mentioned already.

It doesn't matter how good the game, controller, or console looks when I get it. They all get a through cleaning before they're used, I'd hate to put a dirty game into a clean console and now the console's contacts are dirty and I just created more work for myself.