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Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: RTSDaddy2 on February 17, 2007, 05:03:10 am

Title: Cleaning track balls
Post by: RTSDaddy2 on February 17, 2007, 05:03:10 am
A thought crossed my mind this morning as I sat here.  I've had my Betson 3" trackball in my cabinet for a couple of years now...it doesn't get a lot of use, but how do I know if it needs cleaning?  Are they hard to take apart and put back together for cleaning, and will I need to remove it completely from the control panel to do so?

Title: Re: Cleaning track balls
Post by: SirPeale on February 17, 2007, 05:50:10 am
Does it not spin correctly?

Is the ball dirty?

No?  Then leave it alone.
Title: Re: Cleaning track balls
Post by: Ken Layton on February 17, 2007, 12:56:47 pm
Does it not spin correctly?

Is the ball dirty?

No?  Then leave it alone.

Exactly, I agree.
Title: Re: Cleaning track balls
Post by: menace on February 20, 2007, 07:31:18 am
If you do decide to clean it its very easy--disassemble the case (4 screws)throw it in the dishwasher let it dry and reinstall.  If you notice the ball is kind of matte looking after-- I usually rub a little novus 2 on it to bring back the shine--not as good as homer's Shine-O Ball-O but works pretty well.
Title: Re: Cleaning track balls
Post by: fredster on February 20, 2007, 11:40:29 am
Is there a cheaper bearing you can buy for these trackballs than the happs? Is there a standard bearing instead of the $30 kit they sell?
Title: Re: Cleaning track balls
Post by: shardian on February 20, 2007, 11:43:13 am
Bob Roberts is the cheapest for rebuild kits I believe.
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/parts.html#tbs