Topic: Can I use meths to clean N64 & SNES carts?

Does anybody know if Supadec Methylated Spirits (the purple liquid) aka "meths" as it's know in UK, will work?

I don't have any isopropyl which is all I can see recommended on youtube etc for cleaning the bit that goes into the cartridge slot.

The part I want to clean is the exposed teeth-looking strips at the bottom of the board that goes into the console. The bit that you'd blow on to make it magically work

"Meths" is stronger than IPA so you have to be pretty careful with it - it's alcohol mixed with methanol and some other chemicals/purple dye.

It'll clean the contacts OK, but you might get a bit of residue because of the additional chemicals and the dye. You'll have to be careful to keep it on the contacts too as it may dissolve any lacquer on the board and discolour the plastic on the carts - some plastics go a sort of cloudy white with meths.

If you have a whole collection of carts to clean, I'd recommend getting IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol), but if it's just one or two and you already have meths, it should be fine. Maybe remove the board from the case if you are worried about damaging the plastic.

For what it's worth, they're two different chemicals.

Methylated spirits is mostly ethanol, as in the sort of alcohol you get in drinks, but with additives to make it toxic and unpalatable, so it can be sold without attracting the associated taxes.

IPA is iso-propanol, which is naturally both of those things, as well as being a good solvent that evaporates quickly, leaving no residue. That makes it ideal for cleaning electronics, where you'd only use meths at a pinch.

cheers guys, very useful. Looks like I'll go with isopropyl instead

what about alcohol injection swabs? Would they work? I'm thinking if they're safe enough for human skin then they probably can't do much damage to the game carts?

@dodonintendo The swabs generally have a lower % of alcohol in them (around 70%). If you're buying IPA then it's usually recommended to get the 'pure' 99.9% stuff. The swabs aren't designed for cleaning boards or contacts though so they might not last too long.

I don't know about the N64, but I do know you can't use meth to get clean, yourself

@Gryffin comedy really isn't your thing

@dodonintendo I think @Gryffin did great!

This thread has been a solvent-crushing disappointment.

To be honest, I used to use Gin to clean my cartridge pins as I hate the stuff and got some for a present

aw thanks