Guide to Cleaning Video Games
- VideoGameCritic
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
There's a heck of a lot of knowledge and experience in this one.
Comments are welcome, and let me know about any typos.
VGC
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
Any opinion on using windex or that really strong 91% alcohol? (I use the cheap 70% myself)
Anything about those old NES warnings on the back of the cartridge about cleaning with alcohol?
Anything about using an eraser to clean the contacts?
Anything about getting the bits and physically opening up the cartridges?
Anything about cleaning Atari 2600 cartridges with their dust blockers?
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
[QUOTE=scotland17]
Any opinion on using windex or that really strong 91% alcohol? (I use the cheap 70% myself)
[/QUOTE]
Don't know about the VGC, but I use 91% as it has a lower water content.
[QUOTE=scotland17]
Anything about those old NES warnings on the back of the cartridge about cleaning with alcohol?
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I noticed that too and kind of found it funny. I imagine they didn't want you to use alcohol because they wanted you to buy the official Nintendo brand cleaning kit (And I wouldn't be shocked if the cleaning solution in those kits had alcohol in them).
[QUOTE=scotland17]
Anything about using an eraser to clean the contacts?[/QUOTE]
I never used an eraser on cartridge contacts, but I did use one on the contacts on the inside of my NES. And I have to say that it really did work wonders. I probably wouldn't go as far as saying that it worked like new, but it was close. I recommend using those white ink erasers since they are softer than the pink pencil ones.
- VideoGameCritic
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
I never used erasers, and never had to open up a cartridge.
I did mention something about the 2600 "dust protectors" in the article.
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
Another nice trick for labels is to use a heat gun or blow dryer to melt the glue on a label before peeling. Doing this will avoid having to use goo gone altogether sometimes as it will peel off so easily. Use goo gone if it still doesn't come off clean.
My favorite trick though is for removing permanent marker. Use Mr. Clean magic erasers. The marker will totally be removed with 2 or 3 swipes usually.
As far as the alcohol goes I always use the 91%.
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
Just my observation, but carts that were kept in something, anything, even a paper box, seem to weather humidity over the years far better. I may have missed it, but maybe its the place to mention the side loading NES pin connector decay that some well loved units show after awhile. Someone may think its a bad cart when its not.
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
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Guide to Cleaning Video Games
You do want to be careful not to rub metal against the contacts otherwise you can damage them.