Cleaning? How Do You Do?

[Dravenae]

Alright as the title suggest. How do you clean your games, what do you use, and what are your preferences?

For disc based games, I just use the same clothe used for cleaning glasses. Since there free where I live, I stock up on them. I just give the disc a wipe over, removing any dust or finger prints. If the disc is particularly dirty, I'll fill up a small bowl of COLD water, let the disc sit for a bit, then let it sit on kitchen paper for about 5 - 10 seconds, and when all the excess water is gone, use the same method as previously mentioned. Provides scratch free cleaning.

For cases, I tend to use good old window cleaner. Makes them feel as good as new, but if there's any stickers or sticker residue, I use a que tip and a bit of oil, saturate the sticker/residue, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it off. It usually comes off in one fair swoop and has no ill affects. I obviously go over it with windows cleaner after to get rid of any traces of oil left.

For cartridge based games, well that's when its gets odd. I have different methods for different cartridges.

For all games, I clean the contacts and the area around the contacts with WD40 and window cleaner. I take the cartridge apart, then using the window cleaner, clean around the contact area were dust generally and dirt generally likes to settle. For the contacts I use good old WD40, it doesn't provide as good of a clean as rubbing alcohol, but I find that it provides assurance and games don't need to be cleaned as often. I wipe off all excess WD40 with the same type of clothe as I use to clean discs. I might start using rubbing alcohol and WD40 together, as in give it a good clean with rubbing alcohol first, then provide a coat of WD40 after.

For cleaning mega drive cartridges, I generally use a damp tooth brush to get rid of any dirt stuck in hard to reach places, then go over the cartridge with WD40. Doesn't hurt the label, but provides a *like new* shine to the cartridge and label. I wipe all excess WD40 off.

For NES, SNES, and N64 games, I haven't really got a decent method for cleaning the cartridge, as I'm not sure what chemicals may react badly with the gray plastic, though I have been looking at Wiggy's videos, and might start using the same method as him for NES, SNES, and N64 games.

So how do you guys and gals clean your games?

[wiggy]

For contacts, isopropyl (91-99%), brasso, magic eraser, and 000 steel wool (for really crusted up contacts).    

• Iso is great for regular cleaning.
• Brasso is OK for mild patina removal.  
• Magic eraser will clean up most any crap on the contacts
• Steel wool is a last ditch effort if something is really crusty and nothing else will remove the corrosion.  Brass wool works too, just more expensive and I don't see the need to pay the premium.  Obviously just make sure to clean up any steel burrs left behind with some canned air.  

I also put a small silica gel packet in EVERY UGC to help keep the carts nice and dry.  I'm sorta OCD like that

For discs, I use mild dish detergent, run the disc under a warm tap, and use my thumb.  The detergent is really the key as it acts like a lubricant to help prevent scuffing, not to mention that it's a decreasing agent.

[wingzrow]

Those are some good tips wiggy. How do you feel about Weiman's Glass cooktop cleaner for contacts?

I've used that for years and swear it's the very best thing for cleaning cartridge contacts.

[Dravenae]

This wasn't really a question as much as it was to see how you guys clean your games. I already have a set routine, was just interested.

• Brasso is OK for mild patina removal.

I actually bought some before I read the horror stories, even if it's bullshit, I'd rather not risk it. 23 year old students can't afford to replace games.  

I also put a small silica gel packet in EVERY UGC to help keep the carts nice and dry.  I'm sorta OCD like that

That sounds like a fucking awesome idea! I might try that one!

For discs, I use mild dish detergent, run the disc under a warm tap, and use my thumb.  The detergent is really the key as it acts like a lubricant to help prevent scuffing, not to mention that it's a decreasing agent.

      ... Okay... LOL, as long as it's after purchase and not all the time, that's cool. For regular cleaning though, try picking up the clothes I use! Been using them for years, definitely a safe investment, unless you can get them for free! Free is always better!  

[wiggy]

Those are some good tips wiggy. How do you feel about Weiman's Glass cooktop cleaner for contacts?

I've used that for years and swear it's the very best thing for cleaning cartridge contacts.

Never even heard of that as a solution!  I'll have to take a look at it sometime.

This wasn't really a question as much as it was to see how you guys clean your games. I already have a set routine, was just interested.

• Brasso is OK for mild patina removal.

I actually bought some before I read the horror stories, even if it's bullshit, I'd rather not risk it. 23 year old students can't afford to replace games. 

I also put a small silica gel packet in EVERY UGC to help keep the carts nice and dry.  I'm sorta OCD like that

That sounds like a fucking awesome idea! I might try that one!

For discs, I use mild dish detergent, run the disc under a warm tap, and use my thumb.  The detergent is really the key as it acts like a lubricant to help prevent scuffing, not to mention that it's a decreasing agent.

     ... Okay... LOL, as long as it's after purchase and not all the time, that's cool. For regular cleaning though, try picking up the clothes I use! Been using them for years, definitely a safe investment, unless you can get them for free! Free is always better! 

There are Brasso horror stories?! :/

The silica packets are dirt cheap and totally worth it IMO.   I think I got like 500 on ebay for about 15 bucks

I only ever clean disc-based games once, if ever.  There's no need to clean them over and over unless you're touching the surface or dropping them on the floor LOL!  They don't corrode, so they don't need the upkeep that carts do. If I buy one and it's dirty, I clean it, end of story.    I've got TONS of micro fiber towels for other stuff, just don't see any reason to ever use them to clean discs.

[Dravenae]

There are Brasso horror stories?! :/

Yeah. Due to the abrasive nature of Brasso, it has been reported that it can supposedly strip your games contacts. There's a few testimonies floating around on youtube, plus the ammonia will do no favors for your games either, hence I never use the window cleaner on the contacts. I reckon I'll be using an eraser, Iso, and WD40 from now on. WD40 is great, but it doesn't give as good as results as Iso, but it definitely has pro's over using Iso alone.

EDIT: here's an example of such.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRKAOwbBwmg

The silica packets are dirt cheap and totally worth it IMO.   I think I got like 500 on ebay for about 15 bucks

Yeah, I think I'll shall follow your lead on this one. In combination with WD40, my games shall never rush! muahahahaa! LOL.

I only ever clean disc-based games once, if ever.  There's no need to clean them over and over unless you're touching the surface or dropping them on the floor LOL!  They don't corrode, so they don't need the upkeep that carts do. If I buy one and it's dirty, I clean it, end of story.    I've got TONS of micro fiber towels for other stuff, just don't see any reason to ever use them to clean discs.

I wouldn't expect you to clean your disc based games more than once, what I meant is that consoles gather dust over time and use, so I use the microfibre towels to wipe any dust off of my disc based games. Doesn't scratch them and keeps them in good shape. In regards to the use of detergent, why would you use anything other than cold water, unless your games are jacked up? If you were buffing your games because they weren't being read, then fair enough, but other than that, just use cold water and a microfibre towel, but if it works for you, then fair enough. Each to their own I guess.  

[wiggy]

There are Brasso horror stories?! :/

Yeah. Due to the abrasive nature of Brasso, it has been reported that it can supposedly strip your games contacts. There's a few testimonies floating around on youtube, plus the ammonia will do no favors for your games either, hence I never use the window cleaner on the contacts. I reckon I'll be using an eraser, Iso, and WD40 from now on. WD40 is great, but it doesn't give as good as results as Iso, but it definitely has pro's over using Iso alone.

EDIT: here's an example of such.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRKAOwbBwmg

The silica packets are dirt cheap and totally worth it IMO.   I think I got like 500 on ebay for about 15 bucks

Yeah, I think I'll shall follow your lead on this one. In combination with WD40, my games shall never rush! muahahahaa! LOL.

I only ever clean disc-based games once, if ever.  There's no need to clean them over and over unless you're touching the surface or dropping them on the floor LOL!  They don't corrode, so they don't need the upkeep that carts do. If I buy one and it's dirty, I clean it, end of story.    I've got TONS of micro fiber towels for other stuff, just don't see any reason to ever use them to clean discs.

I wouldn't expect you to clean your disc based games more than once, what I meant is that consoles gather dust over time and use, so I use the microfibre towels to wipe any dust off of my disc based games. Doesn't scratch them and keeps them in good shape. In regards to the use of detergent, why would you use anything other than cold water, unless your games are jacked up? If you were buffing your games because they weren't being read, then fair enough, but other than that, just use cold water and a microfibre towel, but if it works for you, then fair enough. Each to their own I guess.  

The thing is that he's wrong (about the materials used in the contacts).  SNES carts don't use any gold in their contacts as it would have been prohibitively expensive..  They use a brass alloy, which should get along just fine with Brasso.  There's no way that Brasso was the sole reason that he stripped those contacts bare.  Just not possible.

My games stay in cases and don't get dusty and my systems are kept extremely clean.  Dust isn't something that I worry about.

Like I said, "If I buy one and it's dirty, I clean it, end of story."  By dirty I mean greasy fingerprints, actual dirt, and dust.  That sort of thing is more easily cleaned up with a mild detergent in my experience, as water is incapable of emulsifying grease on it's own.   Again, I don't do maintenance dusting on my disc-based games.  No need for me to, and if I did, I'd likely just use canned air so that I'm not actually touching the disc any more than I need to.

[Dravenae]

Fair enough dude. 

[KMSoulja]

i just use this polish solution that i get from www.nintendorepairshop.com
it works pretty well too..

[wingzrow]

I'm pretty sure that's literally just watered down weiman's class cooktop cleaner.

[FFXIK]

I thought about using the silica packets in the UGC's but didn't know if it was worth investing in.  It makes sense though.  Moisture absorption reduces corrosion.

Pretty much all I use is a clean cloth for discs, although I am so OCD about them they rarely get dirty.  91% Iso or an pencil eraser.  Stickers, uses Goo Gone and Iso.

[wiggy]

They're DIRT cheap.  Totally worth it IMO

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-packs-drypack-1-Gram-Silica-Gel-Packets-Desiccants-Ship-Dry-Free-shipping-/390570588815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aefd23a8f

[Moviefan2k4]

This is my preferred method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEqhgTqvV0Y

[FFXIK]

This is my preferred method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEqhgTqvV0Y

Brasso.  Works great for that hard to get off grime.  Isopropyl on the other hand.

1. 91% percent or above.
2. Do not cut it with water.

The 70% percent is already cut with 30% sterile water anyway.  Cutting it 50% again, you may as well just use plain old filtered/boiled water.  Isopropyl doesn't leave residue behind so cutting it is pointless.  I mean a 32oz bottle of 91% is $1.50 at Wal-Mart so...

I realize that you probably posted that to show us how you clean your games.  I just get irritated with these kind of things.  *Sigh* I end this by deconstructing a 5 year old Youtube video.

[wiggy]

Agreed. No reason on the planet to dilute ISO, especially the weak-ass 30/70 mixture any further. In fact,
I won't even touch 30/70.  91%-up is all I'd ever bother with personally. Why make extra work for yourself?