Tips for cleaning older consoles

[Lamegamer]

I have started to buy some various older gaming consoles off ebay and various places and some of the consoles are in good working order however they seem pretty dirty and some of these controllers I don't really want to pick up without gloves on at the moment!

Just wondering what do people usually do when they get a second hand console themselves before playing them.

I am not talking about having an ocd or something, just I know my own general hygene however not sure of these other peoples!

[kgenthe]

In addition to soap an water...

Rubbing alcohol
Goo Gone
Q-Tips
Magic Eraser

[tpugmire]

I completely disassemble and clean every part, inside and out, especially controllers. After putting the item back together, I give it a wipedown with a lysol disinfecting wipe.

[Emperor Megas]

Alcohol probably isn't the safest thing to clean your consoles and games with.

Goo Gone works really well though, and is relatively safe to use. There's also a product called Oops that's great for removing grime, and is especially good at removing marker from game cartridges and labels. Especially great for those NES carts that kids' mother's wrote the kid's name on.

[RP2A03]

Here is my cleaning procedure: completely disassemble the console and controllers and soak the parts (not the boards) in warm water with a mild soap (Ivory dish soap works great). Wipe everything down real good using extra soap if necessary. Rinse the controller membranes under running water gently scrubbing with a soft brush if necessary taking extra care not to tear the rubber. Dry the parts and and go over them with Turtle Wax ICE Total Interior Care for a nice natural looking shine. Reassemble.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be careful around the red lettering on the NES as it can be rubbed off. Ivory dish soap is safe to use but not the ICE or anything containing alcohol.

[Robocop2]

Alcohol probably isn't the safest thing to clean your consoles and games with.

I assume you mean the outsides of them? I always thought alcohol was perfectly safe to use on contacts and any other metallic parts.

[FxMercenary]

for cleaning games and replacing pin connectors I use the cleaning kit classic game source sells.



I have never had a single problem with my cartridge games after cleaning them with this stuff.

As for cleaning controllers and consoles, I usually use the Monster screen clean spray on them because it protects plastics.

[jb143]

I assume you mean the outsides of them? I always thought alcohol was perfectly safe to use on contacts and any other metallic parts.

Correct, but as RP2A03 pointed out, there is a chance of removing lettering and such. Electronics and contacts: use alcohol, Plastic parts: use soap and water.

[bacteria]

I started a thread a month or so about washing old boards in fairy liquid (washing up liquid) and warm water, and using a toothbrush to get into the game cart port, etc. Leave it to dry afterwards in a warm airing cupboard for a few days, then you have a clean working board (assuming it was a working board of course, and you were gentle with your toothbrush!).

[Robocop2]

Correct, but as RP2A03 pointed out, there is a chance of removing lettering and such. Electronics and contacts: use alcohol, Plastic parts: use soap and water.

Of course. I was just trying to clarify what Magus was saying