Cleaning NES carts with rubbing alcohol

[mersenari]

I've heard from friends (cracked8ball) that rubbing alcohol doesn't really damage NES carts.

Some of my games are being real bitches, and I'm tired of blowing on them till I pass out. Has anyone had problems while cleaning their NES games with rubbing alcohol?

[Raccoon Lad]

The "don't clean with alcohol" text on the back of the cart is only there to make you buy cleaning kits.

[max 330 mega]

i clean all my cartridges with alcohol, never had a problem, i dont dilute it or anything, just put it on a q-tip and scrub away.

[tonki]

The problem isn't with the alcohol, but with the water it's usually mixed with (alcohol is almost never pure). Make sure that you wipe off any water/alcohol when you're done. If water remains on the contacts, over time it will corrode them (and other electronic parts), same reason why you "shouldn't" blow on the contacts. Alcohol has a lower boiling point, so it usually evaporates before any harm can be done.

Best way to clean, IMO, is to get a special bit to open the carts so you can clean well (see ebay or post in the sell/trade thread). Use alcohol on q-tips and then wipe clean. If the contacts are still really dirty, I use a small amount of Brasso, rub gently, wipe clean, then repeat as I normally would with alcohol. Good luck!

[rbudrick]

The "don't clean with alcohol" text on the back of the cart is only there to make you buy cleaning kits.

Which are usually composed of an alcohol solution. X_x

When you call Nintendo for help and they instruct you to clean your games and you don't own a cleaning kit, they will tell you how to clean them with rubbing alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol is usually 70% alcohol, so anything left on the cart should evaporate in just a few minutes. Also, the contacts are usually gold, which generally slows oxidization compared to other metals used in electronics (does gold oxidize?).

I suppose if you kept the thing soaked in alcohol for days or weeks you could have an issue, but it's still probably they best/least invasive method to clean games and cart connectors.

-Rob

[mersenari]

I should have guessed that. I don't want to bash Nintendo, but they always try to squeeze the cash out of you. Like some of the Pac-Man and Zelda games for the Gamecube demand additional GBAs for each player, which also must have a copy of the GBA game in each one.

[FABombjoy]

Are the cart contacts gold or copper? They can look awfully similar. Judging by the black crap that comes off of them when cleaned, I'd be more inclined to think that they're copper.

Anybody know for sure? No speculation!

[Avatard]

Pure gold does not oxidize, that is a big reason why it is worth so much. I would say low karat gold also would take near forever to show signs of oxidation, but I don't know. Gold doesn't stop dirt and grime buildup though. As for the contacts on NES carts I'm not so sure but I think I've seen tin on low budget games, but I can't say for sure. I know one way to find out if its copper LOL Take a wiz on it and set it outside, come back a week later and see. LOL The contacts on the inside of the NES are tin so they can surely corrode.

Even if the contacts are gold then its just electroplated gold. It doesn't mean it can't get scartched or scuffed and the copper underneath won't oxidize.

Alcohol will definatly not hurt it though, even water won't hurt electronics as long as no current is flowing through it and it dries quickly. I remember in college we used Acetane to clean and dry with because it evaoprates sooooo qucik and takes water with it.

[leonk]

This topic has been discussed to death here already..

the **best** way to clean is:

- get a bit to open the carts
- get a white eraser (vynl eraser that you're used to from school)
- use that on the contacts

No liquid can be as good as the above. It takes off EVERYTHING down to the shiny brand new metal. It's the "secret" way that all electronic gurus use to clean off their circuit boards.

Now you know. :D

[Bratwurst]

Are the cart contacts gold or copper?

They are gold-plated copper.

[whoisKeel]

the whole eraser thing, i've tried several different types of erasers, and none of them work that well...which is best?

and btw, if you are afraid of the alcohol/water, just open up the cart and do some serious scrubbing with a dry q-tip, you'll get just as much dirt of, just a bit slower.

[rdangela]

I have started to use fiberglass shaped as a pen(forgot what they are called), you can find these at radio shack, does a great job on games that are really dirty

Thanks
Randy

[Jibbajaba]

the whole eraser thing, i've tried several different types of erasers, and none of them work that well...which is best?

and btw, if you are afraid of the alcohol/water, just open up the cart and do some serious scrubbing with a dry q-tip, you'll get just as much dirt of, just a bit slower.

White plastic erasers. Like the ones that come in those clicky eraser pen things, or those staedler plastic erasers with the little blue cardboard condom.

I clean mine with rubbing alcohol, but if they are still being stubborn, or are super dirty, then I open that shit up and use an eraser. It is definitely the most effective way that I have found to clean contacts.

Chris

[whoisKeel]

you mean one like this?

http://www.misterart.com/store/view.cfm?group_id=5907530&store=001&AID=9258402&PID=1099780

q-tiping is getting to be a pain in the ass after you've done 100, especially around the edges.

[Lady Jaye]

Yup, that's what he meant.