Clean and repair console game cartridges

[crashwg]

I have started to passively (when I find a good deal) collect classic consoles and games and with a good amount of what I find in disrepair I'm wondering what are the best methods to get them back to decent-good condition.

Specifically, I've got some labels peeling off, initials written in marker and sticker residue.  Is there a specific type of glue collectors have found to be best?  What products are best for removal of the marker and sticky junk?  I can tell you already that "Goo Gone Extreme" is a poor choice as it melts the plastic cartridges!

[Howard_Casto]

The primer (NOT THE GLUE) used for connecting pvc pipe is specifically designed to remove ink from plastic.  Do a color test on the inside of the cart first  as it might actually remove coloring depending upon the type of plastic.  (I've never had this happen but my collection is limited to nintendo carts.)

Magic erasers and good old dish soap are great from removing sticker gunk but keep in mind that they can damage the stickers... use them on the hard plastic only. 

As for the labels rubber cement is similar enough to what they used to originally adhere them so it should work, just use it sparingly to prevent bleed thru. 

Remember that we also live in a computer age, if the labels are too badly damaged just download them off the net and print them out on sticker paper. 

[SavannahLion]

Magic erasers and good old dish soap are great from removing sticker gunk but keep in mind that they can damage the stickers... use them on the hard plastic only.

Those damn Magic Erasers are more akin to ultra fine sandpaper. That's how they work, they peel off an ultra fine layer of whatever it is you're working on. It really pisses me off how the companies who make that stuff market it.

For most applications such as stove tops, tile, and even painted walls, that's fine. You'll repaint the wall long before the ME ---smurfs--- it up and the stove top... well should be used sparingly. Managed to ---fudgesicle--- my wifes up and dulled the fine polish "magically" aging the stove top by something like thirty years. At least I can hide it under the spill catch.

My wife screwed up my mirror-like finish on my convertable (the dishwasher, not the automobile).

I'm not saying you shouldn't use it (I personally wouldn't) but just be aware of what the ME actually does before you go full willy on your carts with it.

[Howard_Casto]

Well all solvents used to remove sticker residue (and yes ALL of them and yes I've tried ALL of them or at the very least all of the ones readily available on the market) also act as a solvent to most plastics.  When used with soapy water (you should NEVER use a magic eraser dry) they remove sticker residue without so much as a scratch. 

[Turvey]

Hairspray will remove the sticky residue left by stickers etc

I dont know what it will do to the stickers that you want to keep though 

[ChadTower]

If you're just going to try and take everything off I usually disassemble the cart and put the shell in hot soapy water.  Come back in a few hours and everything will be soft enough to get off fairly easily.  Print up a new label with your handy inkjet and there you are.

[SavannahLion]

Well all solvents used to remove sticker residue (and yes ALL of them and yes I've tried ALL of them or at the very least all of the ones readily available on the market) also act as a solvent to most plastics.  When used with soapy water (you should NEVER use a magic eraser dry) they remove sticker residue without so much as a scratch. 

I didn't think I was even implying one should ever use Magic Erasures dry.

[Howard_Casto]

Well all solvents used to remove sticker residue (and yes ALL of them and yes I've tried ALL of them or at the very least all of the ones readily available on the market) also act as a solvent to most plastics.  When used with soapy water (you should NEVER use a magic eraser dry) they remove sticker residue without so much as a scratch. 

I didn't think I was even implying one should ever use Magic Erasures dry.

You didn't, I was making that clear.

[ark_ader]

Acetone works best. 

[crashwg]

Print up a new label with your handy inkjet and there you are.

While I'm going to try my damnedest to not remove any labels, I did just get a bunch of 2600 carts and many of them have labels that are too far gone so...

Can I get some more information on your labeling process?  Stuff like where you get the images (probably atariage right?) what you print them on and if you laminate them and with what?

Thanks

[northerngames]

I do the hot water and dish soap for the plastic's also to loosen the gunk and markers and then scrub it good with a rubbing alcohol soaked dish cloth.

for really tuff marked areas I use a 1600+ grit wet sand paper and use alcohol instead of water.

alcohol q-tip for the smaller area's, laser eye's, fingerboards, av ports etc.

I stick with it becuase some other chem's work great on one thing while eating another or remove color from one thing and be fine on another.

some chems leave a film look too but never had any trouble with cheap ol rubbin alcohol.