Cartridge cleaning and maintenance

[skaar]

Hi there,

I figured this would be an appropriate forum for this question.

I've recently started buying older NES games and have been having fun reliving the 'ol classics. The collection is growing and I'm starting to come across a problem.

THEY'RE FUCKING DIRTY!

What's recommended practice for cleaning these games? I'd like to clean the glue/labels/writing off the carts and restore them to better condition, but am wary of damaging them. Anyone have any tips or favourite guides to restoring NES games?

[tutankham]

check out the forum: Technical and Restoration Society

many tips and verified methods to retool without damaging the goods

[JLukas]

A bottle of Goo Gone at your local grocery store is perfect for removing stickers and residue.

[EricRyan34]

I use 70% rubbing alchohol, works great

[davepesc]

I use 70% rubbing alchohol, works great

Just be careful, I found out the hard way that alcohol instantly dissolves the ink on N64 labels. Don't know about NES, though.

[segagamer4life]

I use 70% rubbing alchohol, works great

Just be careful, I found out the hard way that alcohol instantly dissolves the ink on N64 labels. Don't know about NES, though.


Those magic erasers work wonders on cleaning the OUTSIDE of dirty carts, and they are non abrasive... PERFECT... a cheap way to restore a dirty cart back to life.

[Truffle]

Goof Off Is Way strong if thats what you need.

Warning! It will desolve the black plastic used for Sega Systems/carts. Any black plastic actually.
Im not kidding. It seems fine on other plastics.

[studvicious]

Goo Gone my friend, Goo Gone. 8-)

[skaar]

I haven't seen that stuff before, but I'll look around. Thanks for the tips. Any ideas on the screwdrivers?

[studvicious]

http://www.electricquarter.com/parts.htm

[skaar]

Cool beans, thanks!