Wiggy's How-To and Restoration Guides

[wiggy]

OK, so I've been promising this sort of thing to a few people for quite some time now.  I will also be posting these on the Rose Colored Gaming blog, so feel free to check back there often and leave a comment

This week I want to show you guys a wonderful product called Bestine.



Bestine is a solvent that's most often used for removing Rubber Cement and other adhesives in the art/craft world.  You may be asking what this has to do with anything game-related.  Well, when it comes to removing old price stickers and other sticky crap from your used carts, this stuff is king!  Here's why:

• Won't damage artwork that may be underneath those nasty price stickers
• Works really quickly
• Won't leave an oily mess like Goo Gone that could damage the labels

Things you should know about Bestine:

• It flashes off VERY quickly, so don't think you're gonna soak something in it
• It's EXTREMELY flammable, as the label clearly illustrates.  Do NOT get this anywhere near an open flame!
• It is far costlier than products like Isopropyl
  

Here are two quick videos that I made to better illustrate the awesomeness that is Bestine


In this 1st vid you'll see how well the Bestine gets along with delicate N64 labels.

Bestine vs Isopropyl 1



Here's a 2nd that shows how effective Bestine is versus Isopropyl.

Bestine vs Isoprpyl 2

Bestine can be found at art supply and craft stores.  I'd recommend it to anyone that buys used games, especially cartridges.  It's an invaluable tool for restoring those funky old carts to their former glory


Stay tuned for more Wiggy guides...

[madrocsz]

Love the Tron Evolution Soundtrack in the background of video lol

[wiggy]

Ha, didn't even know it was audible!  It's been a fav for a while

[larryinc64]

Does it work on rental sticters? The silver ones when pulled up say VOID?

[wiggy]

Yes, but you'll have to pull the sticker itself off first, seeing as the sticker is non-permeable, so the Bestine won't penetrate the adhesive through the sticker itself.

[TyrannicalFascist]

When I bought a Sega CD Model 2 system not too long ago, there was a large sticker on the top that I got off, except for the residue. Will this safely remove it without damaging the system shell then?

[wiggy]

Yup yup!  Seriously, I haven't found anything that doesn't get along with the stuff.

[tiktektak]

Yeah I also have such a kind of magic stuff I always use for stickers.

It's called

Kontakt Chemie - Reiniger 601 

It's a precision cleaner for electrical components. Very volatile and not leaving any residues at all. It is pretty expensive though and depending on the label quality you have to be careful how much you rub on it. Some labels miss the glossy protection layer and on these ones too much rubbing can rub colors off.

The only thing I'm worried is long time effects of any cleaner. You should never forget that volatile or not inflammable or not or what-not else still those things are chemicals and over some years you'll never know what happens with a basically plastic layered adhesive paper label.....

[AO007]

Don't forget, you can "restore" the black on game cover art/manuals/strategy guide spines with a simple Sharpie!*

*Note that depending on the Sharpie as well as the usage, there may be ink leakage; Best to use in small doses

[wiggy]

^^^ LOL or any color in your marker arsenal

Here you go. You could completely redraw entire labels with my stash o' markers



@TikTekTak - I've been using this stuff for over 20 years, and my mother for decades before that.  I still have games that were cleaned up with it from 20 years ago and there's nothing I can see wrong with any of em save for the occasional yellowing SNES cart, but we all know that is its own issue

[zygmuray]

You guys don't feel that using a marker on the label wrecks its value?

[wiggy]

I would never.  Honestly, if a label was so beat that I felt it needed restoration, I'd just make a replica instead.  I have no desire to try and doctor up a label like that. To each his or her own though.

[palmer6strings]

I've used sharpies on a lot of my games and you would never be able to tell even if I pointed it out.

Lifesavers.... mmmhhh!

[wiggy]

Hahaha! 

[laurenhiya21]

Does the Bestine stuff work on those awful stickers placed right on the CD?
(stupid Blockbuster stickers )