Game Cartridge Restoration How to Restore like a PRO!

[@RockerGaming]

Hey Guys thanks for checking out the video! I hope the tips and tricks here help you! I am waiting on the paracord to show up for the community mod, hopefully it is here soon and we can get back to the #communitymod next week!

[@SmeadsUK]

RockerGaming 🤗

[@chrisgay5302]

If brasso was used on a cartridge, can the residue be removed with alcohol?

[@FranktheTank319]

That Rain-X trick is amazing. I never would have thought of that.

[@jeffo1017]

Never knew that America had a different shaped SNES carts, the Australian and I assume rest of PAL have a curved one.

[@RockerGaming]

Sure did, we got the boxy SNES and the boxy looking games too lol

[@jeffo1017]

RockerGaming yeah, I prefer the look of the PAL snes game carts, but I’m not sure which snes I like more. They both look cool. I like the boxyness of the NTSC one, with the purple buttons, but I like the smoothness of the pal snes

[@jeffo1017]

@Daniel Binns yeah i know. but idk if a pal snes can play japanese games, all i know is they have same design

[@doublejump540]

I remember back in the day all my n64 carts were never working. When ever i got them to work, randomly it would "Cartridge tilt" or freeze if you even stepped near it causing it to shake. Man, it was awful haha but then I started finding videos on how to get that green garbage out of the connection, and works perfectly! I never really knew of any solid ways to get sharpie off them, so thanks for this. Ill be sure to try it out!

[@Crystal_Dragon_]

Thanks for the tips! Didn't know about the rainx trick or the fiberglass brush.

[@ultimateman55]

For anyone who's really picky about game labels: if you have a game label that is torn or worn out in certain areas, a great way to clean this up is with dry erase markers. This is because the dry erase marker will wipe off of the glossy part of the label, where you don't want it, and stick to the worn part of the label with exposed paper. Get a multicolor pack of dry erase markers so you can touch up all sorts of colors. Black is by far the most common color you will need, however. This also works great on worn manuals and boxes.

[@RockerGaming]

Thanks for taking the time to post this!

[@DanofWar101]

Nice tips and tricks! Cool to have a video who shows multiple solutions for various issues all in one! Great video and keep up the good work!

[@RockerGaming]

Much appreciated Dan!! I figured I cant be the only one who deals with this stuff lol

[@vjonatha]

Nice, never knew rainx was so useful for sharpies

[@RockerGaming]

It works really well... its kinda crazy how that works. I have heard cologne works well too, but I have not tried it.

[@vjonatha]

@@RockerGaming Cologne too? Crazy! If I ever try it I'll let you know if it works.

[@ronnysgames9625]

Thanks for the Fiberglass pen idea.

[@RetroGamePlayers]

Hahaha I'm just write my name all over every square inch of the cart!! No one will ever steal it now lol

[@justincollins7160]

I've always used a pencil eraser for brass contacts, is that a safe way to clean them?

[@VIRACYTV]

I use Goo Gone to remove sharpie. It comes off like butter.

[@RockerGaming]

oooooh I will have to give that a try for sure!

[@200zero]

I love your resin gamecube controller works but this is also what i love to see ~

[@RockerGaming]

I love my SNES, lol! I always like to show it some love!

[@teh_supar_hackr]

With removing someone's signature on a cartridge I found Germ-X works well enough to remove it. I at first used it with a paper towel, but later use cue tips and a towel if the mark is larger.

[@nostalgiarules1348]

Great video!

[@DoYouNerd]

Liking the tip of the fiberglass pen--thank you! I always hear conflicting stands on Brasso, so I'm glad to have an option otherwise. Liked watching the work on removing stickers with some heat; stickers are the bane of us all!!!

[@crf80fdarkdays]

Why, it's good for your skin? XD

[@shaunolynick3590]

Try a soft white eraser before using a fiberglass pen to clear contacts. It works great and is much less abrasive.

[@RockerGaming]

Thanks Shaun I have seen a lot of ppl say that, I am going to test it and then add to the pinned comment!

[@ronnysgames9625]

Yes. A lot of the time an eraser works great.

[@BenCD30207]

Great video! What hot air rework station do you use?

[@ScruffyLookinRGB]

Wow Rainex! That worked really nicely thanks for sharing these tips man👍 Ill have to find a comparable product here in Japan. I really liked the snes jr mod you left at the end of the video. Light up power button genius👍👍👍😯

[@RockerGaming]

Thank you sir! It worked out really well. I had someone say cologne works well too, I have not tried it, but it might be something to try!

[@PaulyC8879]

Great video, thanks!

[@Sayajiin2]

Great video! Did not know the rain x trick, super impressive! Thanks bud! :)

[@RockerGaming]

Thank you and hope it helps!!

[@ericyoung3480]

Nice! But now you got me real curious, how in the world did you figured out rainX would do the trick... I feel like there is a good story there.

[@FJMC.]

thx for the helpful tips i`m gonna keep them in mind on my next cleaning session

[@demed13]

Beautifully done, good sir.

[@RockerGaming]

Glad you liked it! thank you!

[@Whyousomadcryboutit]

I've had a lot of luck using just a plain old magic eraser for sharpie or really anything at all on the outside of a cartridge. And for any kind of glue or sticky residue you want off use goo-gone stuff is amazing, makes short work of anything sticky.

[@deltafish5769]

Thanks for this it is soooooo useful love you man

[@RockerGaming]

Glad to hear it and thank you for checking it out!!

[@Spottedfeather]

what is the thing you used to get the sticker off ? I don't see a link for it.

[@snoopy5435]

Nail polish remover works with removing sharpie

[@msd5808]

By the video thumbnail I thought you were going to show someway of making the faded label revive its color !

[@RockerGaming]

Thats my bad dude, I generally do not replace labels and I think the filter just made it look that way, sorry :(

[@msd5808]

@@RockerGaming Haha it's okay. I didn't see how it was possible. I have damaged labels before though trying to get dirt and junk off of them with isopropyl alcohol. It should never be used for that. Well, sometimes you can get by if the label has enough plastic coating. I learned the hard way that not all Genesis labels were created equal.

[@RockerGaming]

@@msd5808 its so accurate... on the sees my observations have been the labels that say "made in Japan" are much more durable that those that say "made in Mexico"

[@msd5808]

@@RockerGaming I almost said that, although I couldn't remember if there were also made in USA ones. The Japanese Mega Drive labels do seem to peel more on the top. I don't know if that's a difference in the glue or the smooth plastic used for the carts. I don't know SNES as well as Genesis. But my Dynamite Headdy cart is Assembled in USA, it says, but has a mottled label that feels unprotected. Some of my Made in Japan ones also don't have a very protected label. Super NES (and NES) had higher quality carts and labels, I think.

[@RockerGaming]

@@msd5808 that has been my observation as well but my genesis experience is somewhat limited. You would know better than me!

[@Tig3rj]

Damn..who would of thought Rain-X would remove marker..That stuff is mainly silicone. Awwww, I saw the thumbnail of a better label and was hoping you show that as I have seen other processes on how it is done.

[@badreality2]

If you wipe away the residual Brasso, and then wipe again, the effected areas with an alcohol wipe, then Brasso is fine. ...it's like, you do wipe the contracts with alcohol after you use a fiberglass pen, right? ...to wipe away microscopic glass shards left behind on your contacts.

[@ultimateman55]

Yes, I've been using Brasso + alcohol after to clean my games for 5 years with no ill effects on my games or consoles.

[@christophersoper]

Question, how did u find ipa? Everywhere is sold out of everything and of course at this moment I ran out

[@RockerGaming]

Check out microcenter or frys I found it there for a reasonable price. $9 a liter for 99%

[@thismeswereinnow]

O_O that Rainx tip is great and useful! Is there any particular kind that works better than others?

[@RockerGaming]

You know I've only tried the kind I showed in the video which I believe is just the vanilla rain x

[@tyler319619]

Do these solutions work on different types of games? I have Gba games with some sticker and sharpie issues

[@RockerGaming]

Yep they absolutely should!

[@BenFuhrman]

Do these same tips apply to gameboy advance games?

[@RockerGaming]

sure do, anything cartridge based!

[@Rookums]

Hey Rocker! Just recently got into modding after watching your vids. I purchased a Gamecube off Ebay and have found that the controller port isn't always recognizing the plugs when inserted. It seems to work if I wiggle the plug a little. Is there a way to fix this? Really enjoying the videos man, keep it up.

[@RockerGaming]

Thanks Kyle! Not sure if the issue is the controller or the system. Either way the answer is oxidation. You should be able to clean with isopropyl alcohol and it should get it working. If the IPA doesn't work and If its the controller take some high grit (600 grit or higher) to the outside of the controller plug. That will help it ground correctly.

[@Rookums]

@@RockerGaming awesome I will try this tomorrow. Thanks again!

[@RockerGaming]

@@Rookums no problem!!

[@patriciamiller4339]

So I have a snes game that loses some visuals at the end of level 3. I can play because I know where to stand but you can't see the bad guy. After level 3 it does not get any better. I had it cleaned at a shop. Any sugestions? That guy offered me money for it but I kept it.

[@SmeadsUK]

Nice vid PD, something very satisfying about cleaning up an old cartridge. What would we do without isopropyl alcohol eh!! Hey and who can miss the essential Covid lockdown buzzcut clippered haircut? Is that a number 2 grade? 🤣 we’ve all got the same hair cut buddy 😁

[@RockerGaming]

always feels good to make something old look new again! Haha, I am extra shaggy right now! Been sporting hats so I cant see how bad its gotten, rofl

[@sneakyvee]

Good interesting alternatives to cleaning carts. I would advise against telling people to use fiberglass pens for cleaning contacts inside their own homes though.

[@timthebigone]

You should make a video showing off your collection lol. But dang that's crazy how you removed the sharpie so easily.

[@RockerGaming]

I really want to make that video... I am going to have to make it happen soon! Also, I know I owe you a response on Etsy. I will do that today!

[@timthebigone]

@@RockerGaming thanks man, you've had a really busy month it seems and everything happening with the covid-19.

[@kahndigifer7106]

You can just use 90% or higher isopropyl to clean off sharpie instead. It takes a little longer but its the safer bet. Also dont use a fiberglass pen to clean the cartridge contacts. All you need is a white art eraser to erase the dirt. Ive been using those methods for 20+ years and they have worked every time, without damaging any of my carts. Use a isopropyl to wipe away any residue and you are set. I also love the rental stickers. I found one from a rental store I basically lived at and I refuse to take it off. Adds extra charm to the cart.

[@JopieHaargel]

Thumbnail shows restored vibrance to game label, video does not. Left disappointed.

[@RockerGaming]

Sorry mate I don't replace labels... i think the filter is what gave you that impression sorry for the let down 😔

[@ultimateman55]

Agreed. This is why I clicked. For what it's worth Jopie, pasted below is a comment I left here: For anyone who's really picky about game labels: if you have a game label that is torn or worn out in certain areas, a great way to clean this up is with dry erase markers. This is because the dry erase marker will wipe off of the glossy part of the label, where you don't want it, and stick to the worn part of the label with exposed paper. Get a multicolor pack of dry erase markers so you can touch up all sorts of colors. Black is by far the most common color you will need, however. This also works great on worn manuals and boxes.

[@Tig3rj]

@@ultimateman55 If anyone wants to make their own labels... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2O6YmOiiLmDn5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3avl2WjgdV9rJY kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYWmqp6GndyXesU Or search on how to make stickers..Will cost you some $$$ to get the tools..but if you have a lot of old stuff you like to restore. Some like to restore, others feel they should be kept old and worn.

[@darthythebalkancat6611]

My Fifa97 for snes wont load at all, i cleaned ,there is not a gram of drit anymore on it, but it has a battery. Is it possible that it wont start because of the dead battery? Coz if i have to solder ....

[@RockerGaming]

I would make sure there is not a broken trace. Sometimes they are very difficult to see. If you can use a multimeter set to continuity to check to make sure there is not a broken trace between the contact pins and the chips on the board.

[@Astromyxin]

I use Brasso, but I always clean the Brasso off with isopropyl alcohol after the oxidation is sufficiently removed.

[@supremeoverlordetna]

If IPA doesn't clean the pins, use an eraser. Fiberglass pen as a last resort.

[@leonardpayne8795]

I have a Killer Instinct for the Super Nintendo but the label on the front is Filthy and Nasty and the label on the back is ok. But the Cartridge Shell on the back has a cracks.

[@jay9058]

I heard ink remover works well too but I never tried it. Any tips on the blockbuster labels on N64 games?

[@badreality2]

Since Blockbuster is gone, those are semi-collectible.

[@kooky112]

Don't use goo gone, it leaves behind a residue that just makes it feel weird and nasty. I use a natural air freshener called citrus magic instead (it HAS to be that brand). It's less expensive too

[@DrKeez]

Mask off the label and get the rest of that marker

[@RockerGaming]

smart man and good idea!

[@phantomdragonv2x]

Welp, here comes the n00b... What's IPA? I've only heard that term used when referring to beer.

[@RockerGaming]

Not at all home you're all good its isopropyl alcohol!

[@RoddyTalk]

Hey

[@Colebankzz]

Been consumed by vaporwave style lately. You should make a vaporwave themed GC controller :O

[@RockerGaming]

I love that style as well! The last community mod as well as the EposVox controllers were both effectively vaporwave themed, I would check those out!

[@HalianTheProtogen]

Did anyone else come here from Hard4Games' N64 controller video?

[@RockerGaming]

I really appreciate you swinging by and checking it out! Working with Tony was a lot of fun and that n64 replica controller came out great!

[@michaelbeckford442]

I cant brother buying those so i just use an emulator

[@RockerGaming]

Many people will agree with you on that!