Nes games and alcohol?

[Oniak]

I always use alcohol to clean my cartridge games, but the nes games specifically say "Dont use alcohol" and I've also heard it can damage them. Now whether or not this was just a gimmik to buy special cleaner kits I don't know. Any input?

[Twilight Wolf]

I'd say it's a gimmick. I've never heard of alcohol causing problems...

I use Windex myself, though. Breaks up the grime a bit better and still evaporates quickly.

[Kurt_]

I use fine sandpaper, followed by rubbing alcohol. It saves a lot of time, and although it wears the contacts down much faster, it can revive some games even alcohol can't. By fine, I mean like 1200 grit.

[XCVG]

Everybody uses alcohol. Cartridges are ultra-tough. Some guy did a bunch of crap to some GBA carts to prove that game cases were pointless a while back.

[grossaffe]

I've heard eraser tips are supposed to be good for cleaning contacts.

[samjc3]

it is oky dokey. it wont do any damage, unless you plug it in and turn it on while the pins are soaked. (assuming alcohol is conductive.)

and i must admit, this isnt what i expected this thread to be about!

[arfink]

Well, depends on your alcohol content. Most drug-store rubbing alcohol does have water as well as other chemicals. It can leave behind a white residue which you may not be able to notice but your NES will eventually be affected by it. The water content does make it slightly conductive when wet. To be safe, clean with alcohol and then rub with the eraser on the pins (if you have the cart open that is.) Or you could be even more safe and get a %90 or higher concentration of rubbing alcohol to clean with, that's the best stuff.

Ironically, they say not to clean with alcohol, but their cleaning kits actually shipped with... alcohol!

[Tibia]

Alcohol can leave a residue unless the purity is 90% or higher. If you really want to use alcohol instead of an actual electronics cleaner, buy denatured alcohol at a hardware store. There's enough water in 70% alcohol to oxidize the contacts so that they just have to be cleaned and polished all over again.

EDIT: You use Windex to clean your game carts? Are you serious? Stop immediately. Distilled water can oxidize contacts, and you're trying to "clean" them with colored dye? Why don't you just dip them in food coloring?

[Sun-Wukong]

I read this title and thought it was about playing NES games while you're getting smashed. This is interesting, too, though.

[nevermind1534]

I use over 90% alcohol. I sand games only when absolutely necessary because of bad oxidation.

[eagle5953]

I read this title and thought it was about playing NES games while you're getting smashed. This is interesting, too, though.

[Oniak]

would 99% alcohol be too much and possibly damage the contacts?

[nevermind1534]

would 99% alcohol be too much and possibly damage the contacts?

It would be fine. Water it down if you are worried.

[Oniak]

Nah, It seems to work great, commando really liked the alcohol, as it wouldn't work before.

[themadhacker]

rubbing alcohol works perfect for all of my games.