What to do with less than perfect game consoles?

[SuperSonic]

You know the ones that ain't pretty to look at.. It seems no one really wants the ones that aren't perfect besides I guess for parts. It does seem shame to strip and entire NES that works fine for parts tho. So what do you guys do with them?

[wiggyx]

Restore em! That's what I do :)

[MetalFRO]

When you say "less than perfect", what it is you're referring to? Just the aesthetics of the console, or that it's broken, missing parts, non-working, etc.? I just watched a video on YouTube last night from a guy that cleans his consoles up when he buys them. He uses oxi-wipes to clean off the grime, then shines them up with a light coat of WD-40, which I'd never heard of doing. Interesting stuff.

[Polygon]

It depends on how less than perfect you mean. If I can restore it, I will. If they case is broken beyond repair I'll use it as a spare or for parts. Perhaps I'll come across a dead unit in nice shape I can use the two to make a better one.

[SuperSonic]

It depends on how less than perfect you mean. If I can restore it, I will. If they case is broken beyond repair I'll use it as a spare or for parts. Perhaps I'll come across a dead unit in nice shape I can use the two to make a better one.

6807

I guess I should drop the price to 25

[Tanooki]

Either retrobrite it, paint it (top part that's yellowed), or price drop. Depends on how you're feeling about time vs effort vs profit.

[needler420]

A yellowed NES/SNES is about the most common thing. I wouldn't even call it less then perfect. Based on what I see, I see more yellowed consoles in circulation then original gray color.

It doesn't influence the price by a whole lot.

[Rickstilwell1]

A lot of people including myself will buy a system in any condition as long as it works. If it doesn't sell, just lower the price and/or bundle better games or items with it to cause it to sell. You have to remember you're competing with those knockoff clones when dealing with the common person who doesn't know the difference between quality of the original vs. the clone ones they theink are better just because they are new. A lot of people will also avoid systems that don't have all their hookups because nobody wants to go out and buy an AC Adapter for $10 (or even $20 if they go to RadioShack who raised their prices!)

[Gameguy]

He uses oxi-wipes to clean off the grime, then shines them up with a light coat of WD-40, which I'd never heard of doing.
I've heard of some people doing this but to me it's stupid. WD-40 is petroleum based, which means it breaks down rubber and plastics over time. It's just like when I've heard of people using WD-40 or Vaseline to grease O-rings because that's just what they've had lying around the house, it'll destroy the rubber ruining the O-rings completely. It's also why you never use WD-40 when lubricating the laser mechanisms in CD drives, it'll ruin the plastic gears. It's never a good idea to use petroleum lubricants on petroleum based products(plastics).

[BricatSegaFan]

I've heard of some people doing this but to me it's stupid. WD-40 is petroleum based, which means it breaks down rubber and plastics over time. It's just like when I've heard of people using WD-40 or Vaseline to grease O-rings because that's just what they've had lying around the house, it'll destroy the rubber ruining the O-rings completely. It's also why you never use WD-40 when lubricating the laser mechanisms in CD drives, it'll ruin the plastic gears. It's never a good idea to use petroleum lubricants on petroleum based products(plastics).

Would silicon based be ideal for CD gears? My X'eye disc drive is kinda noisy.

[SuperSonic]

I am debating on paying 8 bucks for a new door and retrobrite it.. That however would cost about 15 bucks total lol. I think 30 bucks is fair for condition its in but no one is biting.. Maybe I could lower it to 25.00 than sell the nicer one for 40.00.. The woes of living in a small town. When I lived in a metro area things would sell instantly almost.

[Gameguy]

Would silicon based be ideal for CD gears? My X'eye disc drive is kinda noisy.
Pure silicon or silicone grease would be fine, just make sure there's no additives in it or that could possibly cause problems. For example there's specific silicone grease used for heatsinks, there's additives in it to enhance heat transfer. The main purpose for that is for heat transfer, not lubrication. That's fine for chips as once the heatsink is installed nothing physically moves, but for moving parts the additives could possibly be a bit abrasive. Plus some silicone grease has additives that are petroleum based so that's another problem, it depends on where you buy it and the intended purpose of it. Silicone grease for watches, or for plumbing, or from dive shops should be fine.

Or you could use lithium grease, either type should be fine.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that usually the plastic gears aren't lubricated with grease, they're usually considered to be self-lubricating as they're usually nylon. You'd want to lubricate the metal parts like the rails with grease.

[BricatSegaFan]

Pure silicon or silicone grease would be fine, just make sure there's no additives in it or that could possibly cause problems. For example there's specific silicone grease used for heatsinks, there's additives in it to enhance heat transfer. The main purpose for that is for heat transfer, not lubrication. That's fine for chips as once the heatsink is installed nothing physically moves, but for moving parts the additives could possibly be a bit abrasive. Plus some silicone grease has additives that are petroleum based so that's another problem, it depends on where you buy it and the intended purpose of it. Silicone grease for watches, or for plumbing, or from dive shops should be fine.

Or you could use lithium grease, either type should be fine.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that usually the plastic gears aren't lubricated with grease, they're usually considered to be self-lubricating as they're usually nylon. You'd want to lubricate the metal parts like the rails with grease.

Thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll do that today so I can play some of my recent CD pick ups :)

[wiggyx]

Pure silicon or silicone grease would be fine, just make sure there's no additives in it or that could possibly cause problems. For example there's specific silicone grease used for heatsinks, there's additives in it to enhance heat transfer. The main purpose for that is for heat transfer, not lubrication. That's fine for chips as once the heatsink is installed nothing physically moves, but for moving parts the additives could possibly be a bit abrasive. Plus some silicone grease has additives that are petroleum based so that's another problem, it depends on where you buy it and the intended purpose of it. Silicone grease for watches, or for plumbing, or from dive shops should be fine.

Or you could use lithium grease, either type should be fine.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that usually the plastic gears aren't lubricated with grease, they're usually considered to be self-lubricating as they're usually nylon. You'd want to lubricate the metal parts like the rails with grease.

Yes, this and this. I'll second this sound advice.

I've seen a lot of ABS plastic gears lubricated. They aren't all nylon unfortunately (as nice as that would be).

[MetalFRO]

I've heard of some people doing this but to me it's stupid. WD-40 is petroleum based, which means it breaks down rubber and plastics over time. It's just like when I've heard of people using WD-40 or Vaseline to grease O-rings because that's just what they've had lying around the house, it'll destroy the rubber ruining the O-rings completely. It's also why you never use WD-40 when lubricating the laser mechanisms in CD drives, it'll ruin the plastic gears. It's never a good idea to use petroleum lubricants on petroleum based products(plastics).

Thanks for the clarification, as I said, I'd never heard of anyone doing that and it struck me odd. Good to know that's not the best idea! In terms of "shining up" or sprucing up the molded body plastic on old consoles, what would be the best recommendation? If a console is really scratched up, is there any kind of clear solution that can act as a filler to smooth those out and at least make it look a little cleaner? Or in the case simply of a dingy-looking unit, what would be best for returning it to more of its natural look?

[PreZZ]

I always use Armor All car interior to make my old consoles shine. If its good for the plastic in my car, I guess it wont harm my consoles!

[wiggyx]

I always use Armor All car interior to make my old consoles shine. If its good for the plastic in my car, I guess it wont harm my consoles!

That's a logical thought process.

First off, your car's interior isn't made of ABS plastic. Your consoles are. 2nd, why do you want them to shine? Almost every console is made from a textured ABS which gives them a low sheen appearance. They aren't meant to be shiny or glossy (with a few exceptions).

[SuperSonic]

That's a logical thought process.

First off, your car's interior isn't made of ABS plastic. Your consoles are. 2nd, why do you want them to shine? Almost every console is made from a textured ABS which gives them a low sheen appearance. They aren't meant to be shiny or glossy (with a few exceptions).

Yeah I never did get why people want their console to shine... I guess try to make it look new again.

[PreZZ]

On old consoles like the genesis model one, the plastic looks dull and old. After I put Armor all it looks great. All my black consoles looks better after i put armor all, like saturn , x eye, genny, etc.

[Emperor Megas]

Yeah I never did get why people want their console to shine...People like shiny things?

[kupomogli]

The thread title makes me think of PC gamers calling themselves the master race. I half expected to come into the thread with someone saying they're going exclusively to the PC and what they should do with all their inferior technology :P.

[PreZZ]

PC games are always buggy and full of hardware issues with sound drivers, video, etc. I have bought 2 pc for gaming in the past decade and I always end up not playing them because I hate all the problems that come with it. I do play occasionnally on steam, but consoles are so much easier and have more exclusives. I dont give a shit if the games are prettier on pc, I prefer playing on the big screen in my couch.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

I would rather have a dingy NES with all original parts than a bright and shiny system made up of donors.

I sort of prefer my systems to be a bit banged up and yellow these days. Reminds me of my mortality.

[Polygon]

PC games are always buggy and full of hardware issues with sound drivers, video, etc. I have bought 2 pc for gaming in the past decade and I always end up not playing them because I hate all the problems that come with it.

Well, that's not the norm with PC games. They are not always buggy and full of hardware issues. If you're having issues with all your games, it's your PC, not the games. I have a lot of PC games. None of them are buggy. There are games that are, but they are not the rule.

[Yoshi]

PC games are always buggy and full of hardware issues with sound drivers, video, etc. I have bought 2 pc for gaming in the past decade and I always end up not playing them because I hate all the problems that come with it. I do play occasionnally on steam, but consoles are so much easier and have more exclusives. I dont give a shit if the games are prettier on pc, I prefer playing on the big screen in my couch.


Well, that's not the norm with PC games. They are not always buggy and full of hardware issues. If you're having issues with all your games, it's your PC, not the games. I have a lot of PC games. None of them are buggy. There are games that are, but they are not the rule.Indeed. And while we are expelling bullshit, many people play their PC games on their big screens from their couch as well.

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

If its physically damaged I tend to toss them out but if they look fine and just don't work intenally then I display them in a museum style fashion on my shelves.