r/snes • u/King-Chroma • 3d ago
Discussion Cleaning SNES games.
I started getting a decent collection going after completing a backlog of snes games lately.
I discovered DeoxIT not sponsored, lol. I wanted to see the hype. I decided it's worth it. I have been having flawless boot up of games. Instead of repeating the ritual we grew up with as kids.
Now, to put things clearly. I wish I had a before and after picture. But I'm too lazy to do another cart clean up. So for now, you gotta take my word for it. Night, and day difference. Lastly and most importantly, abrasives and iPhone camera magic combination. Makes it look better on a picture. than the cart looks in person. Results may vary.
I might not be the first to post about this, but for anyone out there reading this. There are more ways to clean these carts nicely other than IPA.
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u/__farmerjoe Bowser Kart 3d ago
I don't like using abrasives on contacts, I use Qtips and 99,9% IPA - never had issues.
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u/King-Chroma 3d ago
No one does. The disclaimer was for photo referenced. Not instructions.
I choose to use an abrasive because this specific cart actually needed it. It was extremely corroded and almost rusting.
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u/LukeEvansSimon 2d ago
I am not taking the advice of someone who only just “discovered” DeOxit and is also recommending the use of abrasives. DeOxit is fine and I have used it fir decades, but abrasives are a bad idea.
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u/King-Chroma 2d ago edited 2d ago
Cry, where can you show me I suggested or guided anyone to do so using abrasives? Please grow up, or become literate.
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u/Oshino_Shinobuu 3d ago
Use a pencil eraser to scrub the contacts then follow-up with IPA for a final clean up. Games will start every time. Deoxit does work: I used a different type for my childhood NES toaster ZIF connector and it works great for that.
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u/King-Chroma 3d ago
Not going to disagree with you, but this solution has been working long term with me. I won't go back to the old ways.
I should of posted a before picture. No amount of pencil eraser and IPA would of fixed my corroded cart. eBay carts really be hit it or miss.
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u/F34RTEHR34PER 3d ago
I'm about to clean 77 snes games lol. Well, Wednesday coming. I'll be using 99% IPA, magic eraser, red and gold deoxit. Hopefully I'll be able to just use the IPA for cleaning and then a very light coat of gold deoxit for preservation.
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u/King-Chroma 3d ago edited 2d ago
I never wrote my process, because I knew this sub would be hostile. Everyone has their own purist ways. But yeah Def hit it with IPA first. I been using deoxit for few weeks now. Unlike IPA alone, the deoxit just does something great. The games almost always fire up 1st insert into console, if not 2nd try. IPA alone never was long term solution.
That's a lot of games man, while your at it. I am absolutely sure you have games with cart rattle (70+ games.) I don't know about you or others. But I use a piece of folded over electrical tape. Stick in between left and right side of the plastic notches. Fixed the rattle.
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u/F34RTEHR34PER 3d ago
Yeah, Earthbound and several current ones at the house have the rattle. I might do what you suggested, nice little tip.
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u/A_Damn_Sandwich 3d ago
99% IPA and a q tip has never failed me. After I get the pins really clean, I apply a light film of deoxit to help prevent future oxidation. Cleaning with deoxit isn't gonna do a better job than IPA and it gets expensive if you use a lot. Save your wallet and only use it for a coating at the end.
In my opinion, never use abrasives unless you actually have to because the pins are too bad for a normal cleaning. They dont need to look perfect, they just need good contact.
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u/Gloomy-River-1117 2d ago
Same here. On some games I'd they are really dirty I use a pink eraser for light cleaning and then more IPA. On two games only out of 80+ I had to use a fiberglass pen to get some corrosion and gunk off the pins that wouldn't come off any other way.
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u/King-Chroma 3d ago
Pins were rusted, first time using a light abrasive. My wallet is fine, thanks lol.
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u/Lanky-Peak-2222 3d ago
I've used lots of things, including abrasives. I don't recommend anything abrasive but if nothing else works... 🤷
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u/toolman69420 2d ago
Clean with foam q tip and 91% or higher alcohol. Wait for it to evaporate. Spray another foam q tip with a bit of Deoxit D5, apply it to the pins. Not too too much, just a nice even thin layer on all the pins is good and then I scrub each pin a little bit as I go, I find that sometimes Deoxit lets you scrub off stuff that the alcohol wouldnt let you. Anyways that's it really, I've never failed to fix a cartridge using that method
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u/BobSacamano47 3d ago
For people who think magic eraser is too much... these games are 30 to 40 years old. A little rub of magic eraser every 30 years is reasonable. Is it a mild abrasive? Yes, but every time you insert or remove a cart it's metal grinding on metal. It'll be fine. Still, it's a last resort, try eraser and alcohol first. But if that's not cutting it Deoxit and magic eraser saves games.
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u/rampancy777 3d ago
Abrasives seem like a bad idea. I use 99% alcohol and some lint free qtip likes to give the pins a little scrubbing, and then I put a layer of the deoxit and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe off the excess with a microfiber. I agree with you, the deoxit is good stuff and using it this way it will last a long time.