Deoxit or Tuner Control?

[rgw825]

Ok here's the deal. I need something to fix the jitter on my Atari Paddle controlers and i need something to clean Intellivision game cartridges. I'm on a budget and don't want to spend a lot. I have read that most people use the Tuner Control from Radio Shack to fix paddles, but a couple people said they use Deoxit. I have also read people use Deoxit for cleaning carts. So i'm not sure what to buy. Deoxit is a little expensive.
Radio Shack's website sells a double pack of Deoxit Power Booster and Pro Gold, I hear that works for cleaning games but is that the same type used for fixing the Paddles?

2 many choices lol.

[HurricaneAndrew]

I just use rubbing alcohol for cleaning the potentiometers in my paddles. It works for me. You could probably use it to clean the Intellivision games as well.

[rgw825]

I was trying to avoid cleaning the Paddles and taking them completely apart. I'm afraid i might break them and it looks like a long and complicated process.

[diskoboy]

Deoxit.

Definitely.

Spray some in the cracks, twist the paddle a few times, reapeat once, then let it sit for about 10 minutes

[Tallise]

DO NOT spray stuff into in D: anything like that is temporary and in the end make things worse. Deoxit might be a good idea but only if you open it up and clean it all the way, there is all sorts of gunk hiding in those things and spraying it with out cleaning entirely might make it feel smoother for a bit but then just add to the back log of crap. there are instructions online on how to open them.
http://www.atariguide.com/help/care.htm
This site includes step by step instructions with pictures!!

EDIT:
Also I use Rubbing alchohol to clean my games and such. get the highest percent you can find(I use 91% but I some people can find 99%), its super cheap too!

[channelmaniac]

DO NOT use "tuner cleaner" or "WD-40" or any other kind of lubricating cleaner. They just attract crap and you'll end up with having to do this cleaning again soon.

[Mitch]

Also I use Rubbing alchohol to clean my games and such. get the highest percent you can find(I use 91% but I some people can find 99%), its super cheap too!

+1 on that. 91% Isopropyl alcohol from Walmart works great.

Mitch

[channelmaniac]

Fry's sells a pure 100% rubbing alcohol. Works wonders and leaves no water behind.

[rgw825]

Thanks for the suggestions, i am still debating, i just hate the thought of taking the paddles apart and breaking something on accident. But i also don't want to make them worse by spraying them with Deoxit. hmm

[Tallise]

Weeeell, if you're really unconfident and totally terrified of doing it your self just remeber you can always buy another im sure...

If that is not an option, or you feel like hitting me with a brick for saying that, ^.^ then concider finding someone who repairs this stuff all the time and bargin to have your peices mailed to them and let them do it. Also if there is a shop near you that sells retro games and consoles ask them if they do repair. Many shops have at least one person trained so they can repair the stuff they want to sell. I'm sure though if you do it your self you will find it's not all that scary in the end.

[Tallise]

Fry's sells a pure 100% rubbing alcohol. Works wonders and leaves no water behind.

o.o;

*Stares at you then turns to glare at her freshly opened GIANT bottle of 91%*


e.e


Damn...

[rgw825]

I'm afraid i cheated and used the Deoxit, you can yell at me if you want. lol

I was reading that Deoxit cleans good and doesn't leave any gunk behind.

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

I'm afraid i cheated and used the Deoxit, you can yell at me if you want. lol

I was reading that Deoxit cleans good and doesn't leave any gunk behind.

Reading all of this, and seeing you got such solid advice and completely ignore it, I am wondering why you bothered to start the thread to begin with. You really would have been better off taking it apart and doing a real cleaning. If you're afraid to get into doing that kind of stuff it may be best for you to avoid the vintage stuff, because its going to need better maintenance over the years then what you seem to be willing to give it. Its your stuff in the end though, do what you want, just be aware that you are wasting peoples time when you ask for advice then openly state you decided to completely ignore it.

[Tallise]

I'm afraid i cheated and used the Deoxit, you can yell at me if you want. lol

I was reading that Deoxit cleans good and doesn't leave any gunk behind.

it may clean well but it is now trapped inside your paddle, and it will trap more gunk in there with it, and only cause more problems. Have fun when it starts acting up again :/ You are only stalling for what must eventually happen.

[rgw825]

I didn't mean to waste anybody's time. It was just yesterday i was reading about Deoxit not leaving gunk behind and decided to go that way. If i'm wrong and the Jitter comes back, then i'll take them apart and clean them no matter what. I swear i can handle vintage items.

[Tallise]

I didn't mean to waste anybody's time. It was just yesterday i was reading about Deoxit not leaving gunk behind and decided to go that way. If i'm wrong and the Jitter comes back, then i'll take them apart and clean them no matter what. I swear i can handle vintage items.

im sure it doesnt leave gunk or a film behind if you just wipe it off. however you have put it INTO your controller, where is it supposed to go?