Cleaning? How Do You Do?

[Dravenae]

Your probably need to scrap the back of that cart mate, if you want it to look like new.

I hate to say it, but if that cart is indeed melted in the center, then you'll only ever be able to use  2 screws, unless of course it hasn't done too much damage to the front, then you might be able to taper/thread whats left, just enough to get the third screw to just catch. It won't do much to hold the cart together, but its aesthetically pleasing to see the three screws. The hinges and two other screws will keep the game together.

If the cart is held together good and tight, you might need to drill out that hole mate.

To be honest man, if you are serious about getting the cart looking like new, get a donor cartridge first. Take the back and screws of the donor cart and use them for the Kid Icarus cart.

If your really not up for it mate, I say there's someone around here who would be willing to sort that out for you. I'd do it for you, but that would cost you a ton in shipping, as I live in Ireland.

[Dravenae]

So what you need for this job.

Original Cart, Donor Cart, 3.8 security bit. Those are the three things you'll definitely need.

Then depending on damage to the front and depending how tight the back and front of the cart are stuck together, you might need a drill or something to break the seal, then a thread to taper the middle screw bit.

To clean the cart up, 91% isopropyl acohol or any ammonia based cleaning agent will do. To clean the contacts, depending on the degree of dirt/corrosion alcohol or an eraser might do, if it's particularly bad, then brasso.

Make sure to clean the back part of the donor cart as well.

Once everything's taken apart and clean, put the game back together.

But if you really stuck on how to do this mate, someone on here will be willing to do it for you. Like I said, I'm happy to do it, but I live in Ireland and shipping will probably be a bitch.

[wiggy]

Is the screw still in that center hole?

[Spoonman]

It seems to be.  The picture is pretty well focused so your guess is as good as mine.  That's the only point that holds the cart together (it comes apart a little at the bottom if I pull, but the middle doesn't budge)

I have plenty of fairly clean (and non-valuable) games for donors, so that's no problem.  The problem is how to get that screw out to open it up and discard the back.  Not sure where to begin on that/what the best method would be.

[Dravenae]

If the screws still in there, then don't use a drill. Try chipping the burnt bits away from the screw, like use a pocket knife to chip away at the burnt area until you expose the screw. Hell if your really want try using a dremel to cut around the screw, but for the love of God be careful...

[Spoonman]

Yes, this is my concern.  What is finer than a pocket knife, but just as sharp? Something like a tiny ice pick or something...

[Dravenae]

Could try a 2mm flat head?

[Moviefan2k4]

I have a set of very small screwdrivers for eyeglassses, and they sometimes come in handy for stripped game screws.

[wiggy]

WAY easier solution.

Push the two tabs at the top of the cart that are attached to the back side of the shell IN until they snap.  This should allow you to essentially unscrew the entire back half of the shell along with the screw that's embedded inside.  Make sense?  Grab hold of the front of the shell with one hand, the back with the other, and rotate the two as if you were opening a jar.  You'll have to pry it apart slightly as you do so to clear the screw bosses and such, but it should work without having to dick around with a zillion tools.

[Spoonman]

THERE'S an idea.  I was fooling with it again last night.  Couldn't chip away much of the damage around the center screw and I was pressing on the tabs.  Didn't quite figure out that you could do that.  Will give it a shot tonight.  Thanks Wig!

[Dravenae]

Just be careful not to break the latches.

[Spoonman]

I thought about that.  Probably why I was super careful when I was fooling with it last night.  Good advice.  Thanks.

I hope I can pry them out.  Think I should lift up on the bottom while pushing it down?

[wiggy]

Just be careful not to break the latches.

They're on the back half of the shell, which he's replacing anyway, so I say just snap em clean off

[Spoonman]

Oh I thought you were talking about the thinner plastic part that holds the latches on the front half. That's what I'm afraid of snapping when I do this.

[wiggy]

Lemme snap a pic to give 100% clarification. Hang tight...