Cleaning NES Plastic on System, Zappers, Game Carts...

[ubelaffe]

I've never had a single problem with rubbing alcohol and q-tips. Just watch for labels.

We really should add this topic as a guide. It really does get brought up every week and a half.

[ott0bot]

How would you guys go about cleaning off residue from using isopropyl alchohol to clean carts? I've done this in the past, and the games I've cleaned look shiny-ish instead of dull. I've compared the cleaned carts to carts that didn't need cleaning and I can tell the difference.

Any suggestions?

i've been using alcohol for years and years and never noticed this. maybe the brand you used had an additive of some kind or maybe it's the actual finish that is supposed to be shiny? Does being that shiny mean the game is probably really clean or discolored?
hmm.....i don't know. i can't tell the diff on mine.

Ohh and congrats racket on finally buying a NES. Took ya long enough!

[Lodestar]

Well, unless you're buying pure (or close enough to it, like 99.7%) isopropyl alcohol, there will be some kind of residue because of the contaminants inside. Anyway, look at any of the games you may have cleaned under a bright light and compare it to a clean cart that wasn't cleaned...you should be able to tell the difference. Again, it's not really a big deal, but it kinda bothers me because it defeats the whole purpose of cleaning a cartridge. I'd like to get the dirt and oil off without leaving a trace of what I used to clean it. (I used a 70% isopropyl solution, by the way, which can be found in most drug stores)

[ubelaffe]

yeah, I use that too, but I don't leave it in big pools. It mostly evaporates too. Anyways - try wiping down whatever you're cleaning with a fresh clean towel/wash cloth/rag something

[vlame]

non-alcohol hand sanitizer with a toothbrush, works for me.