VGCollect Forum

General and Gaming => Classic Video Games => Topic started by: jeff8n on January 14, 2014, 04:20:08 pm

Title: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: jeff8n on January 14, 2014, 04:20:08 pm
Did a quick search and didn't see a topic on this, but what do you guys do to clean connectors and the actual carts themselves?

I've done some searches and it seems everyone has a different way of doing it and advises against something else. Just curious what you guys do.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: turf on January 14, 2014, 04:30:44 pm
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: xstonekinghtx on January 14, 2014, 05:46:28 pm
I use a cleaning kit (by performance, is the company name) that I bought from a pawnshop for only $5 xD. This cleaning kits has been sold at gamestop back in the day and for me is the best way to clean it, not only the cartridge but also the game console. Remove corrosion pretty well and dust/dirt. In general I use this plus alcohol. But like turf said, you can also use qtips to clean it.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: sin2beta on January 14, 2014, 07:28:45 pm
Mainly Q-Tips and alcohol. When you first get a game, you may have to use windex. However, I rarely do. I do try to keep the qtips and alcohol next to my consoles. I do this because I try to clean a game before I put it in the system every time. Now this doesn't really happen everytime. My most used games, I know are really clean. But continually cleaning the games will essentially act as a system connector cleaner. Cleaning pin connectors is REALLY tough. It's best to slowly do this by always cleaning your games.

I also have gamebits for a screw driver. So, I tend to open and clean the board for most games I buy. 
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: redblaze57 on January 14, 2014, 08:12:51 pm
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
pretty much this
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: bobster on January 15, 2014, 09:17:16 am
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
I've heard of goo gone a lot when cleaning labels, but never used it myself. I just did a quick amazon search and realized there's a bunch of different formulas. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the goo gone you use?
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: htimreimer on January 15, 2014, 09:50:42 am
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
I've heard of goo gone a lot when cleaning labels, but never used it myself. I just did a quick amazon search and realized there's a bunch of different formulas. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the goo gone you use?
this is the one you want (http://googone.com/GG-Browse-Products/Goo-Gone-8oz) but you can get it at any hardware store and for cheaper
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: bobster on January 15, 2014, 10:13:43 am
Thanks! I'll have to keep an eye out for it. It's not too pricey on Amazon (since I have prime).
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: turf on January 15, 2014, 12:04:14 pm
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
I've heard of goo gone a lot when cleaning labels, but never used it myself. I just did a quick amazon search and realized there's a bunch of different formulas. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the goo gone you use?

Be careful using it on labels.  It will discolor a lable if you let it get under an edge.  This stuff is basiclly lighter fluid.  And DO NOT use it on N64 labels.  If you find something to clean those up without ruining them, let me know.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: bobster on January 15, 2014, 12:55:19 pm
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
I've heard of goo gone a lot when cleaning labels, but never used it myself. I just did a quick amazon search and realized there's a bunch of different formulas. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the goo gone you use?

Be careful using it on labels.  It will discolor a lable if you let it get under an edge.  This stuff is basiclly lighter fluid.  And DO NOT use it on N64 labels.  If you find something to clean those up without ruining them, let me know.
I will. I'm going to test it out on a really crappy SNES game I have (scooby doo). I don't care at all about it, but I want to see how it works. I usually just leave labels alone other than peeling off stickers very carefully.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: turf on January 15, 2014, 01:23:09 pm
I had a Panic Restaraunt on time that had marker on the label. 91% alcohol and it was good as new. I was nervous as all shit about working on that. I tested  about 5 different boogered up labels before taking the alcohol to that one.  The back label didn't work out to well though.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: stethebubble on January 15, 2014, 08:51:49 pm
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.

this but i take the carts to pieces first
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: ffmaniac2050 on January 16, 2014, 09:24:50 am
Q-tips and 91% alcohol for the pins.  Windex for the outside.  Goo Gone for really stuborn gunk on the cart.  That same 91% alcohol for  marker on carts.
I've heard of goo gone a lot when cleaning labels, but never used it myself. I just did a quick amazon search and realized there's a bunch of different formulas. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the goo gone you use?

Be careful using it on labels.  It will discolor a lable if you let it get under an edge.  This stuff is basiclly lighter fluid.  And DO NOT use it on N64 labels.  If you find something to clean those up without ruining them, let me know.

Armor-all and a soft cloth for labels.  Spray the cloth a few times then buff it in gently.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: jeff8n on January 17, 2014, 07:00:53 pm
Thanks for all the info!
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: kingrat101 on January 19, 2014, 10:55:33 am
Mr. Clean magic erasers work well to get permanent marker off, just don't use it on labels, it's basically very fine sandpaper and will ruin the label
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: turf on January 19, 2014, 11:02:46 am
Mr. Clean magic erasers work well to get permanent marker off, just don't use it on labels, it's basically very fine sandpaper and will ruin the label
It'll take the texture off of the cart too. It's a last resort for me.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: bobster on January 19, 2014, 03:19:16 pm
Mr. Clean magic erasers work well to get permanent marker off, just don't use it on labels, it's basically very fine sandpaper and will ruin the label
It'll take the texture off of the cart too. It's a last resort for me.
Same here. Most times I'd rather the marker then really take away the texture.
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: retromangia on January 22, 2014, 03:58:58 am
I will 3rd (4th?) what Turf said.... Rubbing alcohol with Q-tip for contacts, and Windex for the outside. I actually prefer Windex glass and surface wipes. Nice and easy, clean and smooth lol.

If there's permanent marker or stickers on the Cartridge itself, Goo gone will usually do the trick. Please, only use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as a last resort.  It will scrub the texture right off your cart.  I've heard if you soak your magic eraser in water before you use it, it can lessen the abrasiveness.  But honestly, just stick with Goo-gone and some old fashioned elbow grease.  :D

-Retromangia
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: scott on January 22, 2014, 01:12:24 pm
I tend to leave perm marker on my carts, it's part of their history. :P
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: turf on January 22, 2014, 03:13:40 pm
I tend to leave perm marker on my carts, it's part of their history. :P

I have a couple of games from rental places that I actually knew of.  I left those.  I also have a few that have personalized Nintendo stickers with kids names on them.  I leave stuff like that.  Sharpie though, it has to go.  Hey that rhymed!
Title: Re: Cleaning Cart Games
Post by: sin2beta on January 23, 2014, 07:30:38 pm
I tend to leave perm marker on my carts, it's part of their history. :P

To be honest, I do that too. A lot of the games have phone numbers from where I used to live written on them. I always get happy when I grab a game with a 303 number written on it.