Cart label discoloration

[BladeJunker]

Just checking if anyone knows why labels get that "bacon grease" spot look. Is it the glue aging, anybody figure out a way to reverse it?

[Lodmot]

I saw that weird appearance on my ActiVision carts too.

I thought it almost looked like the carts were carried in torrential rain at some point, or somebody dropped them in the toilet or something. xDD

I think you're right though, it's likely the glue becoming older. My Tapper cartridge has that same appearance, and I'm pretty doubtful it's repairable...

 

My Zaxxon cart for ColecoVision had a really damaged label, and I actually made a new one. The way I went about with it was by printing out a

re-created version of the label graphic that I found online, carefully cut it out to size with the cartridge, and then I used double-sided tape to

stick it on there. Then to give it a nicer kind of glossy finish, I put a single layer of packaging tape over the label. It came out pretty awesome, but

I dunno if that's something you'd want to do.

[BladeJunker]

I saw that weird appearance on my ActiVision carts too.

I thought it almost looked like the carts were carried in torrential rain at some point, or somebody dropped them in the toilet or something. xDD

I think you're right though, it's likely the glue becoming older. My Tapper cartridge has that same appearance, and I'm pretty doubtful it's repairable...

 

My Zaxxon cart for ColecoVision had a really damaged label, and I actually made a new one. The way I went about with it was by printing out a

re-created version of the label graphic that I found online, carefully cut it out to size with the cartridge, and then I used double-sided tape to

stick it on there. Then to give it a nicer kind of glossy finish, I put a single layer of packaging tape over the label. It came out pretty awesome, but

I dunno if that's something you'd want to do.

Lol rain yeah I've seen water create splotches too. XD What kind of glue it is on 2600 labels since I wonder if my Nes, Genesis, Snes, N64, etc. will develop this problem in the future?

 

Yeah I guess reprints would be the only way to go. Hard to say what I'll do since I don't own a modern printer, perhaps I'll try to get one that can do stickers so I don't have to muck about with tape which has always been troublesome for me (Balls of messed up tries. ^_^).

[Lodmot]

I have a very steady hand, so I was able to get the tape and the label placed very precisely on the cartridge. I should put pictures of it up, because it really turned out nice.

[atari181]

Activision carts are known fort the spots. Known as anti plaque

 

[Keatah]

In layman's terms - without getting into chemistry and physics - the glue ages and splits into two separate ingredients.

 

One of those gets absorbed into the paper label, just like wet paper. And the other part stays behind continues to hold the label on the cart. Eventually, the part left behind will become so dry it falls off.

 

This is happening with floppy disk labels already.

[BladeJunker]

In layman's terms - without getting into chemistry and physics - the glue ages and splits into two separate ingredients.

 

One of those gets absorbed into the paper label, just like wet paper. And the other part stays behind continues to hold the label on the cart. Eventually, the part left behind will become so dry it falls off.

 

This is happening with floppy disk labels already.

Interesting stuff, has sticker glue improved over time to last longer or can we expect eventual "glue death" for all stickers at a set rate of decay?

[BladeJunker]

Activision carts are known fort the spots. Known as anti plaque

So mostly Activision then eh? I do have a black label Video Chess, very plain but the quality seems really good for 1979.

[Rom Hunter]

Activision carts are known fort the spots. Known as anti plaque

 

It's called: Actiplaque.

 

[atari181]

Lol yes it is

[fiddlepaddle]

Activision carts are known fort the spots. Known as anti plaque

 

It's called: Actiplaque.

 

 

What we need is "Anti Actiplaque"

[2600dude]

Here are all my Activision games. Actiplaque in all its glory. Hopefully this is a good picture, but if not maybe I can get a better one.

 

 

 

[Cobra Commander]

I snatch up Activision games with good labels when I see them, weather I have them or not. I've got a few that are just pristine.

[BladeJunker]

Here are all my Activision games. Actiplaque in all its glory. Hopefully this is a good picture, but if not maybe I can get a better one.

 

 

 

Well I think you got me beat on Sea Quest but the Actiplaque on your Enduro is the same as mine. I think the picture looks good.

[BladeJunker]

I snatch up Activision games with good labels when I see them, weather I have them or not. I've got a few that are just pristine.

Now that would be interesting to see a pristine Activision cart, could you post a photo of one of yours?

[Jinks]

I have a couple that are perfect. space shuttle comes to mind.