retrocomputing

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Questions about cleaning a PET (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 9 months ago by Mr_Mofu@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/retrocomputing@lemmy.sdf.org

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I've had some pretty bad experience about cleaning older Machines such as my NES, where I've accidentally rubbed a lot of the letters and number off and noticed too late. Thats something im particularly worried about when it comes to the keycaps. Is there a reason to worry or tactics I should try to avoid rubbing the letters off?

Another thing im wondering is since its a bit yellow, what kind of Retrobrighting will work on both keycaps as well at the body of the machine itself? Since it seems to be Metal. Issue here also being that I wanna keep the original labels and stickers on the machine intact, so throwing the body into retrobrighting liquids seems like a bad idea... even disregarding the potential of rust afterwards...

Talking of body rust, I also guess that for general cleaning of the body and the keycap metal springs, something like using a wadpad and Ethernol 99 would work the best right?

I really don't wanna screw it up like the NES, so all advice is highly appreciated!

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[–] rubikcuber 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

My approach is to start with the least aggressive cleaners and work up if the weak one doesn't work. So basically start with dish detergent, then window/surface cleaner, alcohol, and WD-40. Acetone is the final solution, but since it melts plastic its only useful on metal or ceramic. The lettering on the NES and Commodore keys will come off with alcohol. You should always test alcohol on a small area first.

For rust, soak in white vinegar and then scrub to neutralise and remove. You should then rinse well and clean to get rid of the vinegar.

Personally I've only ever retrobrited plastic, but I tend not to anymore because it really does make it more brittle. Also it can be patchy on anything other than white/beige.

[–] Mr_Mofu@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Thank you! I'll take all of that into consideration when I start working on this thing!

I do have another question regarding cleaning the board itself tho, I'll be using the Ethernol 99 for it, but can I use both q tips and thoothbrushes for the board and chips or should I avoid something as hard as a thoothbrush?

[–] rubikcuber 1 points 9 months ago

I have a cheap set of nylon brushes I bought specifically for this, they are a good compromise. Softer than a toothbrush and get into smaller spaces.

[–] Mandarbmax@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Clean keycaps with denture tablets, move up to soap and water with a sponge if needed, flitz polish as a last resort (it will wear the caps down, other two are perfectly safe). Caps are doubleshot iirc so no risk of wearing off the legends.

Retrobrite at your own peril. I do not advise. That said, only ABS plastic goes yellow with age, so the same techniques for retrobriting will work on both caps and case.

Cleaning the spring with conventional rust removers is up to you but the springs will rust again so I say to leave the rust on to protect against future rust. Oiling the springs would help though.

[–] Mr_Mofu@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I see, thank you! On a side note, some friends said that the board itself can be cleaned using both toothbrush and q tips as the tool, is that true or would using a toothbrush potentially damage it?

[–] Crack0n7uesday@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

Static electricity is going to be your biggest problem with any circuit board, your next problem will be scrubbing to hard, so just remember soft hands and keep everything grounded.

[–] jtk@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 9 months ago

Just take it to the groomers, well worth the cost.