Topic: Cleaning Out A GBA SP Cartridge

I've never owned a GBA SP before and I was hoping you guys would help me. Is it safe to clean a GBA cartridge with rubbing alcohol? I don't remember if I asked this before and if I did my apologies. I think I did though.

yes, all cartridge based games are safe for this. i do a little more to my games however. i scrub off all the gold plating on the board contacts so i never have to clean them again. my way is a one time method then i use the alcohol. try to get 91% alcohol as it dries faster.

Cool. Thanks.

I thought I read somewhere scrubbing off the gold would ruin them?

thats what some people say. then theres the small group of us that actually did it, and never had a problem with games booting up. i have done this to every game i own and only had to clean each one once. ive never had any problems getting a game to play, 1st try every try. its just something i do to each used cart game as i get them. i like knowing they work every time i put them in.

Gold is a metal that won't tarnish or rust, to scrape that off the pins is not smart at all. The contact filth you do pick up that blackens the pins comes from the system itself and the rubbing against the gold which works it away over time to the under level as it's razor thin.

The best method really is just 91% alcohol, a triwing screwdriver to open the cart, then just put the liquid on a folded over piece of paper towel and work it with your thumb until the white towel comes away still white. Sanding anything off a cart to clean it isn't ideal. I'd never buy a game from someone who did that, and if I did I'd have them(ebay, etc) pay to have it returned to themselves for selling damaged goods and committing fraud not disclosing that up front.

thats yer opinion on the matter. i dont sand the games down with sandpaper. i use a scouring pad. also, you wont find my games on ebay for sale.
this method guarantees a boot up game every time. there are people who have done this method since the 80s-90s and those same games still work. its a preference.

It's hardly opinion, that's how gold behaves, and shaving that off down to the level of a metal that is prone to the elements which is also a fact is not good. Sure it will boot up every time for you, but it's not good for the longevity of the game. I've never heard of anyone doing this who knew what the draw backs were, but if doing that works for you that's all that matters since you keep them to yourself so everyone wins.