Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: timsatari on April 09, 2004, 01:05:09 am
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Hi all,
Kind of off-topic, as I'm not going to be converting this machine, but thought it would be the best place to ask!!
The pics below are of the guts of my Enviro discs of tron - the side circuit boards appear OK, but the bottom is really dusty / dirty...what are the best methods for cleaning - I don't want to vacuum, nor do I want to zap myself...
My site is at: http://www.acay.com.au/~timbo/discs_of_tron_environmental.htm (http://www.acay.com.au/~timbo/discs_of_tron_environmental.htm)
Thanks!
Tim.
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Another pic - a bit closer...
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Canned air moves lots of dust off of electronics. I recommend doing this outside though with the back left open for it to air out.
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Personally I think you SHOULD be vacuuming. A little portable vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose and a brush attachment. Carefully work around all the components and get all the big chunks and dust bunnies. If you just dive in with compressed air who knows what you could damage by forcing foreign material under the leg of a chip or some such thing. Be careful around wires with compressed air as well. Depending on your air source it's possible you could even disconnect a wire or two.
Which ever direction you choose, slow and careful cleaning will be your best bet.
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5+ years in the video game resto business and never damaged a machine by vacuuming the bottom.
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5+ years in the video game resto business and never damaged a machine by vacuuming the bottom.
GIVE IT TO ME and I'll lick it off clean ;D :o :P
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i agree, a vaccume will work good.
To get the non chip stuff clean (dont want static on chips) - you can use a paint brush.
To get circuit boards looking like brand new... you can get this stuff at radio shack called component cleaner, or electronic cleaner... its expensive... but its awesome for many things.
Spray the stuff on the boards (boards still vertical), and let the grime run down - putting a rag under the board to catch it. Wait a few minutes... then wipe wet grime off gently... Repeat several times till sparkling ! : )
The cleaner is also great for trackball bearings - cleaning and lubrication.
One thing... the propellent sometimes runs out before the product does.. once that happens, you can punch a small hole into the side of the can with a nail of something... to extract the rest. (plug the hole least it dissapears into thin air - simular to rubbing alchahol)