Alcohol- which type is best to clean carts?

[Csonicgo]

I've noticed 3 kinds of alcohol in the store- 50%, 70% and 100% by volume. Which one is best? I wanted to use 100% but I'm afraid that might be too strong. any suggestions? 50% isn't working too well, which is what I have.

[bjk7382]

I have 91% and it takes all the dirt off the contacts. After I am done with a dirty game the q-tip is usually dark black.

[Csonicgo]

where do I find 91%?

[bjk7382]

where do I find 91%?

 

I am pretty sure that 100% wouldn't do any harm. Mine is from Walgreens and has their name on it. I would just go with the 100 and get them extra clean

[DanBoris]

The purer (higher %) the better. I am surprised you found 100% in a retail store, that's usually hard to find. I used to clean eletronics at my job with store bought 70%, then we switched to "professional" 90% alchohol and the 90% was noticebly better.

 

Dan

[Csonicgo]

100% is all they have at CVS. I'm going to buy some now- thanks so much!

[Rob Mitchell]

200 proof works for me!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[JB]

My carts only drink Jack Daniels. Dunno why.

[Csonicgo]

200 proof works for me!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

That's ethyl alcohol. hmm... wonder if that cleans?

[Paul Slocum]

I just use beer.

[Csonicgo]

really? that works? cool, paul!

[video game addict]

LOL I've heard Joe cleans all teh homebrews with this:

 

 

[CPUWIZ]

LOL I've heard Joe cleans all teh homebrews with this:

 

 

 

That's not what I heard.

[Csonicgo]

 

you know what a real homebrew is?

 

wine or moonshine.... yeah.

[video game addict]

LMAO It's Mocks new avatar!

[Mock]

[A2600]

Bar Soap and an old toothbrush! Works great!! HONESTLY

 

But people watch out with the alcohol %'s I damaged a good NES top loader using a solution so strong it at through the console contacts!!

[povlok1]

ok.. not to get in big debate here;) but I have litterally cleaned a few thousand games over the years.. I always like trying different chemicals for different jobs.. what I found best for games is a product called 'Air Intake Cleaner" this can be bought at any auto parts store. This product is not to be confused with Carb Spray,, but may also be called 'Throttle Body Cleaner". Its a product used to clean the hard-gunked carbon buildup on the back of throttle blades. If you like rubbing alcohal.. you will LOVE this stuff.. use a qtip.. try not to get alot of this on the case housing (it will melt M Network plastic). Ive had carts that I cleaned three times with rubbing alcohol and still wouldnt load up when pluged into my vcs.. than just a quick clean with this stuff.. bamm! same with real sensitive or dirty paddle controllers,, if reg contact cleaner doesnt work.. one shot of this and they will! this stuff is caustic tho.. use with much more caution than you would use with alcohol.. like I said,, no debates please.. if you dont like this idea and want to preach alcohol.. fine.. but honestly.. Ive tried all types of cleaners,, and I clean every cart I sell.. and Im a lazy ass so I like to find the easiest way:) this is deff it..

[povlok1]

it even takes off armor all

[KaineMaxwell]

Would rubbing alcohol work too? How do you clean your carts then, q-tips and the alcohol?

[MegaManFan]

I use standard 70/30 that you can buy in any Walgreens or Wal*Mart for all contacts. Don't buy the authentic brand Q-Tips though, the "stem" of either side of the swab is too soft. The knockoff brands are more rigid which ironically makes them better for cleaning contacts, cause you can really press those dipped cotton ends into the grime and rub firmly.

[Goochman]

Everytime I clean the toilet I clean the carts - Comet, the Universal cleaner

 

Even helps sand down wood if you want

[Geeknout]

Okay I'll bite. Whats up with the armor all jokes? Ive used it on consoles before. Is this bad?

[Csonicgo]

LOOONG story.

 

anyways, Q-tips, I have found that if you rub too hard, the plastic ( any plastic) turns white. Oh man, I can't get this white off my Atari!

[Room 34]

At Target they sell 70%, which they call "rubbing alcohol," and 91%, which they call "isopropyl alcohol." (Of course, BOTH are isopropyl, but that's not really important.)

 

I use 70%, just because it's cheaper. Both are really cheap though. And I would guess that if anything, the higher the alcohol content, the BETTER for cleaning contacts... because the rest of the stuff is water, and that could promote corrosion.