Introduction

Many of the NES games that I sell are in Mint or Near Mint condition.  I go through a great deal of effort to restore them to this condition and thought that other NES collectors may be interested in each step that I take.  Though some of the steps refer specifically to parts of NES cartridges, they can easily be adapted for SNES or N64 cartridges.


If you have any questions about these steps, or additional tips, I welcome them.  Every NES cartridge on sale in my store is taken through the following process up to at least step 4, and then through the remaining steps (which are just for appearance) as necessary.


This is my first attempt at a guide, so if you find the information valuable, I greatly appreciate if you'll click the "YES" button below.

Tools needed, and where to get them:

-NES Security Bit (can be obtained on eBay - make sure it's "Tempered Steel" - the other ones end up stripped out and useless after only minimal use)
- New 72-Pin connector (I buy mine from this eBay store )
- Metal polish ("Mother's Mag Aluminum Polish", can be purchased on eBay or at any auto parts chain)
 - An old towel or dishrag
- Cotton Balls
- Q-tips
- Rubbing alcohol
- a WHITE pencil eraser
-"Goo-Gone"
- "Resealable" or "Zipper seal" Sandwich bags (the ones I get are 6.5"x5.9" or 16.5cmx14.9cm)

Procedure:

"Step 0":  Obtain a new 72 pin connector and follow the instructions to install it in your NES.  No sense going through all this trouble to clean the contacts of your games to have to do it again because an old connector gets them dirty again.


1: Using the security bit, disassemble the cartridge by unscrewing each of the three screws and lifting the back off the cartridge.

2: Remove the circuit board from the plastic casing, being careful not to apply pressure to the resistors, as they can be easily broken off.

3: Get a small amount of polish on the towel and, holding the cartridge firmly, while being cautious not to bend the resistors, rub it along the contacts on one side of the circuit board.  Apply some pressure, and rub VIGOUROUSLY with the towel.  Be careful not to get any polish on any part of the board other than the contacts - it won't cause any damage, but the goal is to clean, not make a bigger mess. 

You'll know that the contacts are completely clean because you'll be able to literally see your reflection in them.  Once one side is done, repeat step three on the contacts on the other side of the board.

4: Apply alcohol to a clean cotton swab, wipe the contacts on each side with the swab to remove any remaining polish residue.  You don't have to dry it, it will evaporate.  Set the circuit board aside.

5: Using a cotton ball with alcohol on it, being careful not to let it touch the front label, wipe down each piece of the outer shell of the cartridge.  Use pressure as necessary.  This should remove most of the dirt, grime, marks, etc.  Clean the inside too, especially the bottom which normally creates a 'shell' around the contacts, as it's open to dirt, dust, etc.

6: Use a q-tip dampened with alcohol for "hard to reach spots".  These include: the "locks" on the top of the cartridge, the stripes going down the left hand side on the front, and the groove around the edge where the front meets the back.  All three of these spots are HORRENDOUS for collecting all sorts of nastiness.

7: Some marks, such as permanent marker, cannot be removed with alcohol.  For these, dampen them with alcohol first, then use the white eraser on them as you would use it on a pencil mark.  This should work on most, if not all, of the harder-to-remove imperfections.

8: For any stickers (price tags, store stickers, etc.), peel the sticker off and wipe the remaining glue with a cotton ball damp with "Goo Gone".  After removing all glue residue, wipe off oily residue from the Goo Gone with a cotton ball dampened with alcohol.

9: AT YOUR OWN RISK: To clean dirt off the label, moisten a cotton ball with alcohol and wring it out, so it's BARELY DAMP, and wipe the label, then dry it with a dry cotton ball.  I've found this to work, though just a bit too much alcohol on the cotton ball and the label will end up discolored.

10: Reassemble the cartridge and place it in a zipper-seal baggie - it should fit in sideways with just a little room to spare.  This will protect it from dust, pet hair, smoke, etc more effectively than a dust cover.


Having followed all the steps of this process, your cartridges will both look and perform like they did the day they were purchased.

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My store