How to clean NES/SNES carts

jackfb13 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:31 pm

If you have an old NES/SNES cart that work's infrequently, then I know how to help you!

all you have to do is to open the NES/SNES cart so you can see the pins better.Once you've got it open visually exam the pins for any signs of corrosion.if you see any rust or any thing like that take a small knife and carefully scratch it off so you can see the pin. Now take a q-tip(you may need several) and rubbing alcohol and carefully place clean the pins one by one. reassemble the cartridge plug it in and enjoy

.

Remember if at first you don't succeed try and try again. :wink:

if it doesn't work after a few trys then your cart is dead or the NES/SNES needs cleaning(see ben's book)

other info:

Quote:

One of the best tools for this job is a fiberglass pen. I used them all the time at work. The fine ones are just abrasive enough to take off corrosion without removing excess metal.

mothatrucka · **Joined:** Sun May 04, 2008 12:21 pm **Posts:** 588

Problem with rubbing alcohol is that it's not pure. It leaves residue behind with its inert ingredients in it. If you're going to use alcohol, use denatured alcohol. There's nothing in it to stay behind when it evaporates.

SonyPortableizer · **Joined:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:49 pm **Posts:** 1323

Yes pics please-I have a galenga cart gone bad and want to clean it up
-Jesus can walk on water, but Chuck Norris can swim through land(If you use it give me credit)

Mario · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:42 pm

SonyPortableizer wrote:

Jesus can walk on water, but Chuck Norris can swim through land(If you use it give me credit)

That's not new...

SonyPortableizer · **Joined:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:49 pm **Posts:** 1323

I know, but the idea to put it in his sig is.
Tiger Woods water: I saw that video it was awesome

grossaffe · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:55 pm

Tiger woods can walk on water too, he's just that good.

m_lovitt · **Posted:** Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:05 pm

I've always used 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. never thougth about de-natured. at one point in tim I was using a 50/50 mix of 91% ISOPROP and peroxide for really dirty games.it worked really well on super corroded games (I'm sure someone will tell me Im an idiot for using the combonation but like i said it worked really well) I quit using it several years back when I quit buying games that looked like they came out of a litterbox

bacteria · **Posted:** Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:49 am

I've just used a pencil eraser; makes the contact traces on a cart shiny.

grahf · **Posted:** Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:02 am

Yeah, pencil erasers work great if the contact is just a little dirty.

One of the best tools for this job is a fiberglass pen. I used them all the time at work. The fine ones are just abrasive enough to take off corrosion without removing excess metal.

17daysolderthannes · **Joined:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:15 am **Posts:** 381

mothatrucka wrote:

Problem with rubbing alcohol is that it's not pure. It leaves residue behind with its inert ingredients in it. If you're going to use alcohol, use denatured alcohol. There's nothing in it to stay behind when it evaporates.

I don't see how you figure, its distilled water and alcohol, that's it (unless you've been double dipping in it). Denatured alcohol, on the other hand, from what I've heard can be very destructive if not used carefully. I don't know to what extent since I've never even seen it that I can remember, but I've heard from several people that buy and sell on eBay all the time (and thus clean tons of games) that you should stay away from denatured alcohol. Also, FWIW, I've started doing console repair at my local Play N Trade and I've used it at some point on almost every console and its never given me a problem, and before that I used it on dozens of my own used game's that I have purchased, both CD's and cartridge games. The trick is just to make sure you dry it off with the dry end of the q-tip or dry end of the towel/cloth.

drjayphd · **Joined:** Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:44 pm **Posts:** 60

17daysolderthannes wrote:

mothatrucka wrote:

Problem with rubbing alcohol is that it's not pure. It leaves residue behind with its inert ingredients in it. If you're going to use alcohol, use denatured alcohol. There's nothing in it to stay behind when it evaporates.

I don't see how you figure, its distilled water and alcohol, that's it (unless you've been double dipping in it). Denatured alcohol, on the other hand, from what I've heard can be very destructive if not used carefully. I don't know to what extent since I've never even seen it that I can remember, but I've heard from several people that buy and sell on eBay all the time (and thus clean tons of games) that you should stay away from denatured alcohol. Also, FWIW, I've started doing console repair at my local Play N Trade and I've used it at some point on almost every console and its never given me a problem, and before that I used it on dozens of my own used game's that I have purchased, both CD's and cartridge games. The trick is just to make sure you dry it off with the dry end of the q-tip or dry end of the towel/cloth.

Does that work on the consoles or cartridges themselves? I've always cleaned the contacts with Windex, but don't know how to get Sharpie off games or systems... :roll:

jackfb13 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:00 pm

drjayphd wrote:

17daysolderthannes wrote:

mothatrucka wrote:

Problem with rubbing alcohol is that it's not pure. It leaves residue behind with its inert ingredients in it. If you're going to use alcohol, use denatured alcohol. There's nothing in it to stay behind when it evaporates.

I don't see how you figure, its distilled water and alcohol, that's it (unless you've been double dipping in it). Denatured alcohol, on the other hand, from what I've heard can be very destructive if not used carefully. I don't know to what extent since I've never even seen it that I can remember, but I've heard from several people that buy and sell on eBay all the time (and thus clean tons of games) that you should stay away from denatured alcohol. Also, FWIW, I've started doing console repair at my local Play N Trade and I've used it at some point on almost every console and its never given me a problem, and before that I used it on dozens of my own used game's that I have purchased, both CD's and cartridge games. The trick is just to make sure you dry it off with the dry end of the q-tip or dry end of the towel/cloth.

Does that work on the consoles or cartridges themselves? I've always cleaned the contacts with Windex, but don't know how to get Sharpie off games or systems... :roll:

Sharpies are a pain all i can tell you is to scrub!

bicostp · **Posted:** Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:42 am

Sharpies are easy. Use isophryl alcohol. (The >90% stuff.) It's a little trickier on textured plastics, but you can remove basically all the Sharpie with isophryl alcohol and paper towels.

hailrazer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:44 pm

Magic Eraser does wonders with Sharpies also.

HotDog-Cart · **Posted:** Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:04 pm

Want to know whats cheaper? TOOTHPASTE. This works, I promise.

I once colored on my face with sharpie. Toothpaste took it off. (Burned a lot, due to the mint.)

Tips: If you wanta SILKY smoothy face, use toothpaste on it. Got a zit? Use toothpaste on it.

Seriously.

How to clean NES/SNES carts

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