Cleaning the outside of NES carts

[MFoolsRun]

Hi,

I've done some googling, but I figure you guys probably have experience with this: I have a small collection of NES games that I've gotten from various sources. The outsides of these games are pretty uniformly filthy. I'd like to clean them without too much effort, and without peeling the label. Does anyone have some insight beyond the arduous task of hitting each groove with a q-tip?

[PressureCooker2600]

Well....for most big filthy stains.....alcohol is sometimes a must. It breaks up the crap fast.

 

Also, baby wipes used sparingly help with minor stuff.

[figgler]

I go with "Wet Ones" pretty much all the time. Little residue, no label damage and they get off everything but stickers and marker. For those you'd want to use lighter fluid or alcohol respectively.

[godslabrat]

Does anyone have some insight beyond the arduous task of hitting each groove with a q-tip?

 

The bad news: The Q-tip, with appropriate cleaner, is the best bet.

 

The good news: There's very little you can't get off an NES game using a q-tip and a lot of hard work.

 

I usually start by simply wiping down the game with a barely-moist cloth. Following that, I might use rubbing alcohol, or if

it looks like a special challenge, Goo Gone. I know other people use lighter fliud, and that's cool, but I tend to have Goo Gone

around the house more often. (YMMV)

 

For just plain old dirt, sometimes I mix a little mild dish soap in the water. The key to cleaning an NES game is to use mild

methods, and do so consistently, until the grime surrenders.

[opeygon]

windex