Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21

Thread: NES games cleaning method

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    13
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Question NES games cleaning method

    Hello, I am new to this gaming community. I just started collecting old Nintendo NES games and got my old console a brand new 72 pin installed. Now I have started cleaning my NES games. I have used polishing paste and finished them off with little bit of alcohol. I know cleaning by hand is time consuming and probably the safest way to clean them. So I have tried another method of cleaning them. I have tried buffing them with dremel in low rpm setting. It appear to be effective and of course, the quickest way to clean game chip. But the question is, does using dremel affect the quality of game play? Is this method a wise idea? I am curious what is your cleaning method, especially quickest way to do it? I have ton of games to clean and cleaning them by hand isn't gonna be fun.

  2. #2
    ServBot (Level 11)
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Posts
    3,791
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I have a dremel but haven't used it for cleaning my games. I use a non-abrasive metal cleaner safe for all metals and an old rag. It only takes me 20 or so seconds to clean a cartridge. When the metal is nice and shiny I consider it clean. As long as you use a soft buffing wheel I don't see a problem. I wouldn't use sandpaper or a metal wheel.

  3. #3
    Banana (Level 7) walrusmonger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    1,513
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    walrusmonger
    PSN
    walrusmonger

    Default

    qtips and 90% rubbing alcohol

  4. #4
    Insert Coin (Level 0) allyourbase's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    112
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I am unsure of your particular method, but after an initial cleaning or for a game with some serious crud on it- I personally would just clean the games there-after with rubbing alcohol with a high alcohol content (90% as previously mentioned would get the job done) and q-tips which seems like a good maintenance cleaning method beyond any initial deep-cleaning that needs to be done. I am curious as to what a dremel does to the pins over time. These little guys are over 20 years old now and longevity is definitely a concern for me and my collection. Qtips are gentle, safe and get the job done.
    But of course.... "Only use the officially licensed NES Cleaner Kit located at any fine retailer near you."
    Earning XP since 1986
    USA SNES game count- 94
    USA NES game count- 119
    "Punch him in the mouth to stun him... Then throw your Poke'ball!" -Allyourbase

  5. #5
    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Naples, FL
    Posts
    2,810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Hmm, that seems like something that would work, but I personally would use something a lot less abrasive. Eraser works fine.
    Selling gaming accessories. Click

  6. #6
    Kirby (Level 13) megasdkirby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Bayamon, Puerto Rico
    Posts
    5,264
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    14
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    10
    Thanked in
    9 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    megasdkirby
    PSN
    megasdkirby

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BetaWolf47 View Post
    Hmm, that seems like something that would work, but I personally would use something a lot less abrasive. Eraser works fine.
    &

    Quote Originally Posted by walrusmonger View Post
    qtips and 90% rubbing alcohol
    I use these two combined. Works great.
    Proud owner of a Neo 25 Neo Geo Candy Cab!

  7. #7
    ServBot (Level 11) Custom rank graphic
    Cornelius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Wrong Place, Wrong Time
    Posts
    3,778
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    72
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    25
    Thanked in
    24 Posts

    Default

    I tried the dremel a few times. It always seemed to leave the contacts nice and shiny, but also a different color (darker) than when I just use a rag and metal polish. I think it very quickly wears away the surface plated metal. I doubt it affects function much, but they probably corrode faster.

  8. #8
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    13
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I have noticed a darker color on the contact areas too. I am not sure if it will corrode the game but it seem like the dremel method aren't good idea. Sure it clean games faster but I rather to see the games last longer. I will definitely try using eraser/rubbing alcohol method. If using eraser method, will contact areas be silver or will it still be gold color once the game cleaned? Thanks for your suggestions!!

  9. #9
    Kirby (Level 13) megasdkirby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Bayamon, Puerto Rico
    Posts
    5,264
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    14
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    10
    Thanked in
    9 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    megasdkirby
    PSN
    megasdkirby

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by camarothunder View Post
    If using eraser method, will contact areas be silver or will it still be gold color once the game cleaned? Thanks for your suggestions!!
    Depends on how much force you apply.

    I've noticed that if you put alot of force, they will turn silver. If just enough force is applied, in other words just a "bit", then it will retain the color gold.

    I usually use a cotton swab afterward dipped in 70% alcohol to wipe away any leftover residue.
    Proud owner of a Neo 25 Neo Geo Candy Cab!

  10. #10
    Pear (Level 6) retroman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    MD
    Posts
    1,278
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    7 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    retroman20/retroman21
    PSN
    retroman13

    Default

    I too use qtips, and rubbing alcohol

  11. #11
    Strawberry (Level 2) allyourblood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    598
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    For especially ugly cartridges, I'll use DeOxit. For light duty (or to clean the left-over DeOxit), I use the ol' iso alcohol and cotton swabs.

  12. #12
    Bell (Level 8) darkslime's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Posts
    1,787
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    b0xwater
    PSN
    is_vigilante

    Default

    I just blow it off and if it doesn't work Q tip and rubbing alcohol.

  13. #13
    Bell (Level 8) pseudonym's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,743
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Rubber gloves, metal tongs, barrel of acid. Problem solved.

  14. #14
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Custom rank graphic
    buzz_n64's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    2,378
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    buzz_retro64

    Default

    Glass cleaner, q-tips, compressed air

  15. #15
    Cherry (Level 1) Moose's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    203
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Ace Daetaur

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by buzz_n64 View Post
    Glass cleaner, q-tips, compressed air
    I second the glass cleaner (Windex). I find it does a better job at breaking down the older, built-up crud.

    Anyone a chemist and know the difference between cleaning with alcohol or with glass cleaner (ammonia based)?

    What tricks does everyone use to clean the contacts in the system itself? I just try to keep all my games clean which helps keep the system clean.
    F.R.A.G. - Federation of Retro and Arcade Gamers
    F.R.A.G.'s website: RetroGameFederation

  16. #16
    Insert Coin (Level 0) allyourbase's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    112
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Set the cart on fire, then extinguish the flames with a mixture of salt water. If after (and only after) this does not work, use the 'search' feature for the forums and see if there aren't any threads that exist already on the topic
    Earning XP since 1986
    USA SNES game count- 94
    USA NES game count- 119
    "Punch him in the mouth to stun him... Then throw your Poke'ball!" -Allyourbase

  17. #17
    Pretzel (Level 4) MASTERWEEDO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    871
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    Usually the salt water trick works, you just gotta stick it in the toaster, not the toaster nes, a real toaster, to dry it.

  18. #18
    Insert Coin (Level 0) ihavethatpma's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    35
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Usually I'll just use some 90%-91% isopropyl alcohol or windex, but if I want the contacts to really shine I'll use Weiman Glass Cook Top cleaner. It works wonders, I'm telling you.

  19. #19
    Apple (Level 5) Arkhan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Neptune
    Posts
    1,155
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    TurboArkhan

    Default

    i use rubbing alcohol on a piece of felt rubberbanded to a tongue dispenser.
    Aetherbyte: PC-Engine and more homebrew

  20. #20
    Great Puma (Level 12) jb143's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,246
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    69
    Thanked in
    62 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Moose View Post
    Anyone a chemist and know the difference between cleaning with alcohol or with glass cleaner (ammonia based)?
    I'm no chemist but I did look this up when it came up on here before. The conclusion that I came to is that I personally wouldn't trust it. Glass cleaners have dyes and perfumes added that I wouldn't want to be left behind and build up over time, while isopropyl(rubbing) alcohol is an industry standard for cleaning electronics. It might be fine to use glass cleaner but why take chances when the industry standard is so cheap and readily available?

    I've had good results using only a q-tip and alcohol to clean about 95% of my games. And I only use the 70% stuff. The rest I used an eraser and then q-tip/alcohol. Only 1 game did I need to resort to using very fine sandpaper to sand away the corrosion.
    "Game programmers are generally lazy individuals. That's right. It's true. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since the dawn of computer games, game programmers have looked for shortcuts to coolness." Kurt Arnlund - Game programmer for Activision, Accolade...

Similar Threads

  1. What method do you use to clean your old games?
    By John-Lennon in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 07-03-2011, 05:52 PM
  2. anyone know if this rgb method works?
    By Soviet Conscript in forum Modern Gaming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-25-2006, 09:12 PM
  3. Cleaning Games?
    By Big Papa Husker in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-14-2005, 12:14 AM
  4. Cleaning NES Games
    By BriFran9 in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-20-2004, 04:30 PM
  5. cleaning nes games
    By MonsterSquad in forum Technical and Restoration Society
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-13-2003, 02:10 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •