Cleaning and storing your cartridges (methods, etc.)

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wiggy:

--- Quote from: sheep2001 on April 01, 2014, 07:02:54 AM ---Carts are pretty robust, bearing in mind people have stored them in dusty attics and cellars, sometimes for decades, and they usually still work fine after a clean up, I would say, a well ventilated room at ambient temperature, there isn't going to be much to worry about.

--- End quote ---

This. The only carts I've ever been unable to salvage were a handful of N64 carts which belonged to my ex-girlfriend's little brother (like 9-10 years old). He didn't blow on his carts, he LICKED the contacts every time he played them, regardless of whether they worked without do so or not. These carts were so corroded that many of the leads to the contacts had been severed as a result. I suppose I could have saved them by reconnecting the traces with some Kynar wire or something, but this was in the late 90's when these carts were worth very little and simply replacing Mario 64, Star Fox, and the like would have cost about 5 bucks a pop to replace. Still, ick. I almost gasped when I opened the first one :-\

--- Quote from: sheep2001 on April 01, 2014, 07:38:51 AM ---Well, I have no scientific proof, but I would store then with the opening down, to minimize the amount of dust that can settle in there

--- End quote ---

Again, this.

--- Quote from: sheep2001 on April 01, 2014, 11:06:40 AM ---Plenty of threads discussing this one already - I favour Isopropyl Alcohol and a/some/many Q-Tip(s)

--- End quote ---

Um, again, this.

I also like to use Magic Eraser for "deep" cleaning. I.e. shit that a Q-tip and Iso simply will NOT remove. It's about the equivalent of 2500-3000 grit sandpaper, but without the grit. I've tested using a perfectly clean cart and there is virtually nothing left behind on the Magic Eraser afterward, which means that it's removing virtually none of the contact material.

--- Quote from: Pepe_el_mago on April 01, 2014, 05:15:59 PM ---What about my case? I already removed the gold plating from my games using brasso :(, im storing the ina a place with no humidity in the cases i made using cardboard and liquid silicone..am i screwed? Are my games destined to die?

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Like I said before, I would add a thin coat of dielectric grease or even WD-40. Both will repel water and won't evaporate. The problem with your games now is that there's little to protect the contacts against corrosion, so even the water in the air will eventually cause some corrosion without adding something to protect them. You're not screwed, you'll just need to take extra care henceforth :)

Arseen:

--- Quote from: wiggy on April 02, 2014, 12:05:14 PM ---... my ex-girlfriend's little brother (like 9-10 years old). He didn't blow on his carts, he LICKED the contacts every time he played them...

--- End quote ---

:-X

Well that is one way of enjoying the games...

Pepe_el_mago:
I was thinking of applying dielectric grease but i read that it is not conductive and abbrassive, meaning that in time it could prevent the signal from reaching the nes...i also read that dielectric grease attracts dust and that could also blur the signal..,i was thinking puttin my games in a close place (closet) with products that resuce humidity, what do you think?

Pepe_el_mago:
What about using wd40? I read in other thread it prevents moisture? Will it help to coat the pins i used brasso on with wd40?

Ozzy_98:
It'd gum up pretty quickly. And WD40 seems to attract dust and dirt.

One thing I never see people talk about that I do, is use Armor All on the cart. Besides cleaning and giving it a shine, it protects from UV.

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