how often do you clean your NES games

[Flam]

I know there are a lot of variables to this question, such as amount of play time. However, do any of you have a rule of thumb for cleaning games. I always give mine one good cleaning after I buy them, but do not know how often I should clean for maintenance.

[bigbacon]

i think I cleaned all my games for the first time in like 20 years like a month ago.

[Aussie2B]

Once, typically, when I first get them. As long as you don't blow on them or do anything to get them dirty, keep the contacts protected so they don't get dusty, and keep your system clean, you should be good to go for a long, long time. I've got SNES and Game Boy games I bought brand new in the early/mid 90s, and they're still perfectly clean because they've always stayed in their sleeves/baggies. The only time I clean stuff again is if I'm getting any issues getting a game to start up. Then I usually stop and give the game and system a quick cleaning, although considering I usually get nothing off of them when I do that, it's probably something other than dirt that's causing the issue.

[wiggyx]

When they need it, no more.

[retroman]

Only time I have ever cleaned a game is if it looked dirty. Which is only a few. Most games I have had since I was a kid I have never cleaned not once, and they still look as clean as day one.

[Tanooki]

Years ago when I had the time I'd give them a once over with alcohol and a qtip, but I only do it now if I look at the game and it appears to need it as I keep them on a shelf sideways in sleeves so dust stays out.

[treismac]

I clean (Brasso + Rubbing Alcohol) my games when I first buy them. No filthy games violate one of my Nintendo Entertainment Systems. Also, I clean a game when I pull it out my collection for the first time in a long time to ensure that it's good to go.

[RP2A03]

I only clean the my games when I first get them, then never again. The games that I have that were bought new have never been cleaned. The same goes for my NES. Boots first time, every time.

[Polygon]

Once, typically, when I first get them. As long as you don't blow on them or do anything to get them dirty, keep the contacts protected so they don't get dusty, and keep your system clean, you should be good to go for a long, long time.

When they need it, no more.

I only clean the my games when I first get them, then never again. The games that I have that were bought new have never been cleaned. The same goes for my NES. Boots first time, every time.

These.

Oddly enough I just cleaned all my NES games yesterday. I had never cleaned them before, and all of them are at least 2nd hand as I didn't own an NES as a kid. I was amazed by the crap I found in there. Most of them were pretty dirty. Some had obvious signs of being blown on. Some had some pretty nasty corrosion. It's no wonder a lot of them didn't work or had trouble working. I've decided that I will clean any new cartridge game I add to my collection regardless of whether or not it's been designated as cleaned since I've cleaned a few games with polish residue on them, among other things. What's strange is there were a few that looked brand new inside. They must have hardly been played. Now, I don't want to stick dirty games or games with residue in my clean system. So before anything else, I clean them. Beyond that, as long as your systems is clean and you absolutely DO NOT blow in your carts ever, and you keep them away from dirt and liquids you shouldn't have to clean them again for another 20-30 years.

Come to think of it, I've decided I'm going to start avoiding buying games that are listed as having been cleaned as I recently got a group of games with stripped screws and polish residue all over the inside. I wish people like that would just leave well enough alone. Anyhow, here's a copy of Mega Man 2 that I couldn't get to work. It's no wonder having seen that. Now, all my NES game fire up the first time and work flawlessly. I recently did all my Genesis, SMS, and 32X games as well. Next I'm on to the SNES as soon as more polish comes in.

Here's before, and no, that's not dirt. That's corrosion.



And after.

[thegamezmaster]

When I by something used or if they've been sitting for a while without playing them. Just sitting the contacts seem to get dirty. Better safe than sorry.

[Zing]

I only clean them when they are first acquired. I haven't bothered to check if any are dirty since.

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

I usually clean my NES games when I first get them due to the games usually needing a really good cleaning if they come from eBay or from a small mom & pop shop, but usually if I get them from an actual game retailer they're already cleaned. But to be honest, I do a full collection cleaning of all my cartridge based games once every 6-8 months to ensure they play perfectly, it's something I've been doing for years.

[Immutable]

I recently used a white hi-polymer eraser to clean my NES pin connectors. It's a good way to avoid the moisture created by liquid cleaners.

[Tanooki]

When I get them and if it has been a long stretch and I'm selling something I use a security bit and open it up. I use isopropyl alcohol 91% and a paper towel ripped in bits and folded into a NES cleaning kit type shaped pad and I clean until it doesn't discolor the white paper towel, that's it. Then I wipe it off with a dry piece after for the 9% that wasn't alcohol in case it leaves a little film. For stuff that refuses to come off, careful use of both a wet and dry magic eraser with the same alcohol solution. It has never failed.

[Aussie2B]

I've decided that I will clean any new cartridge game I add to my collection regardless of whether or not it's been designated as cleaned since I've cleaned a few games with polish residue on them, among other things.[/IMG]

I do the same. I trust no one, haha. For my own auctions, I do advertise that I clean the games/systems, but I also further explain that I'm a game collector and know what I'm doing. :P

[treismac]

For my own auctions, I do advertise that I clean the games/systems, but I also further explain that I'm a game collector and know what I'm doing. :P

But are they professionally cleaned, Aussie2B?

[Polygon]

I do the same. I trust no one, haha. For my own auctions, I do advertise that I clean the games/systems, but I also further explain that I'm a game collector and know what I'm doing. :P

I pulled apart one today covered in white paste. I can only assume the butt nut used polish without opening the game. It was all over up on the PCB too! I'm actually thinking that once I make some videos of how I clean games, I'll link to them in the sale/auction so they can see for themselves that it's being done right.

But are they professionally cleaned, Aussie2B?

[Aussie2B]

Maybe I should open up the Videogame Cleaning Authority to offer my professional cleaning services starting at $30 to pour rubbing alcohol over the contacts, $40 if you want me to use a q-tip, and $50 if you want me to use an additional dry q-tip when done. Of course, I'll have to go into hiding and never allow anyone to know who I am or what my qualifications are, but that's the price you have to pay to be an authority.

[Polygon]

Maybe I should open up the Videogame Cleaning Authority to offer my professional cleaning services starting at $30 to pour rubbing alcohol over the contacts, $40 if you want me to use a q-tip, and $50 if you want me to use an additional dry q-tip when done. Of course, I'll have to go into hiding and never allow anyone to know who I am or what my qualifications are, but that's the price you have to pay to be an authority.

Seems legit.

[Flam]

These.

all of them are at least 2nd hand as I didn't own an NES as a kid. I was amazed by the crap I found in there. Most of them were pretty dirty. Some had obvious signs of being blown on. Some had some pretty nasty corrosion. It's no wonder a lot of them didn't work or had trouble working. I've decided that I will clean any new cartridge game I add to my collection regardless of whether or not it's been designated as cleaned since I've cleaned a few games with polish residue on them, among other things.

The one local place in my town that sells games never cleans any of there stuff and you wouldn't believe how much crap you can scrub off with Brasso.

Here is my method:
1) scrub with a pink eraser to losen the dirt
2) polish with Brasso and a clean cloth
3) Wash off Brasso residue with rubbing alcohol (91%) and q tip