Cleaning and storing your cartridges (methods, etc.)

[Ozzy_98]

The dielectric would attract dust to the grease, and you could then wipe it off when you wanted to play, so might be ok for long-term storage.   But it's not like the contacts are going to rust in the next year or three, if they do, something is very very wrong with where you're storing them.

[Pepe_el_mago]

so, you think just leaving them inside the UGC with a silica bag will be enought to prevent corrosion for the next 80 years? i just want them to last my lifetime.

[Ozzy_98]

good luck finding a way to hook them to a TV in 80 years.  Or living that long.  Other than something like electroplating the contacts that'd be the best.  Or coating them with something that needs cleaned off when you play with them. 

[FritzWhite]

This is why I will entomb myself with the games like a pharaoh. Just toss them into the casket with me.

[Pepe_el_mago]

lol so you think my games will survive for some more years just leaving them w/out the gold layer and leaving them inside the UGC w/ a little silica bag? is that safe?

[monjici]

For cleaning I use a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol first.
I then I lightly polish the pins with a Q-tip with small quantity of stove top cleaner (Weiman, Cerabryte, ...). It's a very light abrasive. If you rub it gently, it only removes the surface debris and leave the gold plating intact.
Of course, a second round of rubbing alcohol to remove any trace of cleaner chemical.
Then a dry run of Q-tip.

[sheep2001]

For cleaning I use a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol first.
I then I lightly polish the pins with a Q-tip with small quantity of stove top cleaner (Weiman, Cerabryte, ...). It's a very light abrasive. If you rub it gently, it only removes the surface debris and leave the gold plating intact.
Of course, a second round of rubbing alcohol to remove any trace of cleaner chemical.
Then a dry run of Q-tip.

Ouch!!!!

[Ozzy_98]

If we're talking about cleaning pins, here's how I do it.  First, you MUST take the cart apart, takes less than 5 seconds to do, and you can get much better results, and you can SEE your results.  I use a magic eraser, and rather than use it dry or with water, I use ipa 70% rubbing alcohol to wet it.  I get it a good hard scrub till it everything is gold and shiny, then I wipe dry\buff with a paper towel.  The magic eraser + alcohol is also great for marker, and if you use goo gone gel, removes that too. Only thing you should worry about is getting too much on edges of labels, other than that stuffs very safe.

I might touch them up with a qtip now and then, but it's just three screws to remove the shell, and you can SEE what needs cleaned that way.

[irvgotti452]

This entire thread makes me cringe.

[noemann]

I just clean pins with a pencil eraser (white not pink); the same way that I clean dimm/ram sticks. I've been repairing pcs for 16 years.
Isopropyl alcohol is volatile but still flammable. I prefer not to use chemicals for pins.

[kingjohn3]

what about those art erasers that have a really fine grit?

[Pepe_el_mago]

Please help me, i cant sleep thinkingnof this:
1) my games are ok being in direct contact with black cardstock? I use it insidenof the vhs boxes. You think that is dangerous in long term?
2) are the pins of my games safe from harm (i already removed the gold plating)? I am storing them inside the vhs boxes (ao i think it is difficult for dust to get in) and i use silica bags to prevent humidity. No other treatment is made to them. Do you think they will survive for many more years?

I would really appreciate an answer for this 2 questions. Thank you

[e_brugal]

Please help me, i cant sleep thinkingnof this:
1) my games are ok being in direct contact with black cardstock? I use it insidenof the vhs boxes. You think that is dangerous in long term?
2) are the pins of my games safe from harm (i already removed the gold plating)? I am storing them inside the vhs boxes (ao i think it is difficult for dust to get in) and i use silica bags to prevent humidity. No other treatment is made to them. Do you think they will survive for many more years?

I would really appreciate an answer for this 2 questions. Thank you

They will be safe and working for a long time, they will play in 80 years don't worry, just keep them away from humidity.....

[Pepe_el_mago]

Im on the fence about using dielectric grease, i would like some counseling. I have the following questions:

1) if i apply it to the pins of my games, will i need to reapply it constantly? Does it evaporate?
2) could there be damage in the long term for applying the grease?
3) can i play normally the games that have the grease?
4) do i need to open the games to apply the grease? Or could i just use a cotton from the outside?

Considering i removed the gold plating for most of my games, what would be my best bet? Apply the grease or not?
Please help me, i would really really appreciate it.

[sheep2001]

there are no guarantees.  dont use the grease.  store them in boxes with silica gel like you are.  get some sleep!