Removing funky smells from plastic

[LCDSCREEN]

I was taking apart and cleaning my all of my Dreamcast stuff today. The controller had some numbers written with black ink on the bottom, (I guess it used to be a rental) and I noticed they started to come off a little when I was started scrubbing. I continued scrubbing the numbers but they wouldn't fade any further, so I decided to break out the Maximum Strength Nail-polish remover! It did the trick, but now my controller gives off a smell so strong I swear I can smell if from across the house. It's burnt itself into my nostrils, it just won't go away! How do I get it out!?!?
I'm having some friends come over for some Power Stone 2 and Smash Bros. tomorrow, so I need to get it out quick!

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Next time use 70% By Volume Rubbing Alcohol that you can get at practically every store to clean your controllers etc...

Getting marker and writing out is best when done with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.


Here's what you do to get the smell out. I recommend using 70% Rubbing Alcohol to wipe down and sterilize the area and remove residual chemicals from the nail polish remover followed by a quick wipe down with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of the smell.

[Lokkenjawnz]

Just wanted to add my recommendation on the Magic Eraser. I just got a four pack of them the other day for like 3 or 4 bucks, they're amazing. I used up maybe the top 1/4 inch of the eraser cleaning up about 8 N64 cartridges (very dirty cartridges, with some sharpie ink here and there) and they all look brand new now.

One word of warning though, if you ever do use it on a cartridge, or anything with a label or some other such paper-based ink-having thing, be very careful! They suck the ink right out of those labels, I managed to discolor a fairly pristine copy of Body Harvest that way, luckily not too much though.

Get the erasers though, they rock.

[LCDSCREEN]

Thanks, I'll make sure to go out and buy some. ;D

[Dakinggamer87]

Great advice and info for cleaning game cartridges and controllers. The Mr.Clean Magic Eraser is amazing...

[tacofairy]

i was going to say soak it in tomato juice
but then i thought mod man x's suggestion was better

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I actually started doing the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser thing when I got a Secret of Mana cart covered in blue marker with a bundle of games, after a bit of scrubbing it was like new.

Also a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will only destroy a non-plastic coated sticker, plastic coated 'glossy' stickers will be fine if you're gentle with it, and as always take your time and be patient because you can ruin it if you rush regardless of the type of sticker.

[LCDSCREEN]

Just got back from the store with a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some Magic Erasers. Shit's so cash.
I just lightly wet a towel with the alcohol, rubbed the controller down, then scrubbed it with the eraser. The smell is completely gone!
Thanks so much for the help, Mod_Man_Extreme! I also used it to get a sticker off of a PS2 case, it just power housed right through it. Highly recommended!

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yeah the Rubbing Alcohol is my jack of all trades when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing dirty old and used peripherals, consoles, games etc... and the Magic Eraser gets brought out when there's a mess the Rubbing Alcohol can't tackle by itself.