How best to clean arcades?

IdahoFarmer

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How do you clean YOUR games?

I assume windex and paper towels aren't the best option. ; )

Please be as detailed as possible. We've got lots of games to clean and I want to make certain to minimize wear and tear.

Thanks!

IdahoFarmer
 
I use foaming glass cleaner and a microfiber towel.

Works on damn near everything but i have learned that on color-on-chrome sideart like virtuafighter does not like the glass cleaner, the color starts coming off!

But everything else, cpos, buttons, bezels, and standard sideart, cabnet laminate or paint, the foaming glass cleaner is where its at and you dont need to saturate nearly as much with the foam which is another plus.

Always do a couple test spots on a new game first just to make sure you wont have any issues then get to it! I have also seen recently some guys using magic erasers to really clean the bejesus out of super nasty cabinet sides and cpos.
 
I usually use windex on all the glass (not on the screenprinted side) and for the rest, its a damp cleaning with a water-wet rag to wipe down the dust off of them. Anything that is built up dirt I will use windex on. Really bad dirt needs a magic eraser, just don't over-do it with the magic eraser or you will rub the art right off, you really have to be going at it with the magic eraser, just keep your eyes open. Magic eraser will also make a trackball look almost new again. This brings me to the next point, make sure to WD-40 the bearing in your trackball games, it will make them rolls so much better, its crazy. Buttons go well in an ultrasonic cleaner to knock the crud off of them if you are stripping a control panel down. Beyond that, you should be good to go.
 
Honestly, I use a sponge and a bucket of water with Simple Green in it int he driveway in the Texas Sun. I start at the top on the sides and work my way down. The water stays on there for less than 3 minutes. I use Mr Clean Magic erasers to get the streaks and stuck on stuff off. Works great on CPOs as well. Windex on all Glass and WD-40 to remove sticker residue on glass followed by Windex.
 
For just routine maintenance, I use swiffer duster refills to dust them all off, then use clorox monitor wipes to clean the glass. I usually don't clean out the insides unless I'm working inside the game anyway.
 
Depends on what part of the game your trying to clean? For grease/grime on the sides I use Simple Green and a Magic Eraser to take off the black scuff marks and different color paint scuffs from where another cab made contact. Like blue paint scuffs on a white cab where it shouldn't be. I use simple green on the CPO to get off the grease too. For the glass bezel windex will streak, use a soapy sponge and dry it off with towels. anything sticky on the front or side panels will come off with simple green too. Vacuum out the inside.
 
Windex for the front of the glass, mild soap and water if you're going to wipe down other side of the glass or plexi with the artwork. Used to always use windex for cleaning everything, and had no problems for the longest time, then one time it took the white layer off the back of the artwork and I said no more. I read the Atari manual on it and it actually calls for mild soap and water for cleaning.

Magic eraser works wonders on control panel overlays and for cleaning the cabs. Just don't rub to hard or much in one spot like the others said. I've tried many different cleaners on CPO's and nothing brought out the color like a magic eraser, the results were amazing!
 
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