General cleaning questions...

DougUSMC

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Hey everyone, looking for some help. I did a bunch of searches here so I hope I'm not wasting everyone's time.

I have a whole stash in a storage locker that must have a problem with it, because the locker seems to be shrinking and I need more space. :D
I'm going over to move to a larger locker (which is also closer to the loading dock, so I'm not mad about that), and I want to do some cleaning while I'm at it.

All of the threads I've read seem to point to Simple Green being the best idea for spraying and wiping down the cabinets, but is there anything I should know? Most of them are pretty good, with just a bit of dirt, but a couple are a bit worse. I'm not looking to do a "deep clean", more "wipe them off to keep them from getting worse until I can start on the restorations". The plan is to go with a new bottle of Simple Green, a box of disposable shop towels, and clean everything as it gets moved from one locker to another. I have to stop to buy the simple green, so any other recommendations while I'm there would be appreciated.

Thanks!!
 
When cleaning a cabinet always start at the bottom and work toward the top.

If you do it the other way you get streaks as the fluid runs down the cabinet. And they're nearly impossible to remove.
 
When cleaning a cabinet always start at the bottom and work toward the top.

If you do it the other way you get streaks as the fluid runs down the cabinet. And they're nearly impossible to remove.

Wow, good tip. I would NOT have thought of that.

As I was reading I was thinking "No way, I'd start from the top so the dirt goes.... ohhhhh, that's a really good point."

So just simple green??
 
Simple Green is great for general cleaning, and like cwilkson says starting at the bottom is best to avoid streaks. Depending on whether your cabs have vinyl or painted side art, I wouldn't let simple green sit and soak on anything painted, where as it's probably safe to do on vinyl. If you are wiping down painted cabs, just make sure your rags aren't picking up any paint, and if you're really concerned be sure to start on a lower back corner that won't be as noticeable if there's a problem.

Usually when I go through cleaning mode I avoid spraying any liquid cleaner straight on the cabinet, but instead spray the towel and then begin wiping, this also helps to minimize drips or too much moisture staying in contact for extended periods.
 
Use Krud Kutter. It's better than simple green, and just as safe. its better at dissolving nicotine, which is the biggest type of grime on these games. If you're going to do the work to wipe cabs down, you might as well use the most effective cleaner. Search Krud Kutter here for many other testimonials.

Also advanced search for posts by me with 'terry' in the body. You will find many posts in threads about cleaning cabinets.

Actually, here you go, I did the search for you. Results:

 
Your rag is indicator on how your cleaning is going. If you see any colors on your rags or paper towels, stop.

A dirty micro fiber towel that has pickup dirt will leave fine scratches on plastics.

Using cleaners will help removing grim and dirty but leaving that residue cleaning chemicals on your cab might give the next layer of grim a way a better way to stick on your arcade cabinet.

If your cabs are in a place where it get hot and cold adding moisture or chemical that evaporate might start your side art to start to peel up. Seen cabs stored in storage containers do that in 1 to 2 years time.

A scrub down cleaning of a video game has always been part of doing restoration but Storage of a game just a dusty rag kind of cleaning..

Good luck in storaging your games.
 
Thanks for all the pointers and the search results, I'm going to go back and do some more homework. I underestimated the time and effort to move the 6 machines 100' and cleanup the old locker, so I didn't even get any cleaning started. All the supplies are there now, and the new locker is much better setup to go clean.

Old locker:

IMG_9078.JPEG

New locker:

IMG_9086.JPEG
 
I use Windex and one use wipes for anything plastic or glass.

I also use Windex on Atari games. It strips the nicotine off nicely. I use paper towels for that.

Spray - wipe off the area with a paper towel. Repeat until the towel stays mostly white.

That also kills off the smoke smell for the most part.

I've also been known to use the spray of Murphy's Oil Soap, but you have to chase that with a wet rag, since the soap will dry and attract dirt like a magnet.
 
I'd also consider laying the cabinet flat on the side, it may be better to clean it that way (no run downs) and perhaps easier on your back. Just make sure you remove all the heavy innards, I.e the monitor.

This approach was the only way to clean the sideart on my moon patrol.


p
 
I'd also consider laying the cabinet flat on the side, it may be better to clean it that way (no run downs) and perhaps easier on your back. Just make sure you remove all the heavy innards, I.e the monitor.

This approach was the only way to clean the sideart on my moon patrol.


p
Not a bad idea, but rather than remove, I think I'd advocate check to make sure they are secure.

Before I move any game by truck, I check to make sure the CRT is secure. No point in necking a new purchase - once the money changes hands, it falls to me to repair or replace what got broken in shipping.
 
I like simple green. Sometimes i just use soapy water. Sometimes brake fluid or wd-40 works ok. Just depends on what kind of dirty.

Also if you have a way to spray compressed air that is good.

But Id caution you to always start by cleaning a small area to see what the reaction is going to be. I messed up the silkscreen colors on a Galaxian once because i just wet the whole thing to wipe it. The 40 year old ink just stared to run.
 
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