Most Efficient Way to Clean Controllers

[ohdatpro]

So, my boss at the game store where I work has noticed that I'm pretty good at fixing things and wants me to undertake fixing, cleaning, restoring all of our old consoles and their accessories. I was wondering if anyone knew the most efficient method to clean things like shells, PCBs, etc. I know that leaving them in a bath of rubbing alcohol would do the trick, but that stuff is rather expensive and I am trying to keep cost down. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

[minibois]

Usually how I clean controllers is:

- take them apart

- clean buttons and housing in some lukewarm soapy water, possible with a tootbrush or other sort of brush

- dry off a little bit, so you're not left with streaks at the end

- clean PCB with other toothbrush and a bit of alcohol (just more convenient that water, dries quicker)

- (only relevant to wired controllers) run a cloth with some warm water over the cable to get rid of most the gunk, clean the connector too, with a cotton bud and alcohol.

 

That's basically it.

 

Not sure what controllers you're gonna work on, but some are easier to clean and may requires some additional thought when putting them back together.

GameCube controllers for example, you have to mind all the little parts that make up the L and R button and mind the Z button too. Plus keep in mind the pegs on the board for the L and R.

The PS2 controllers feel especially fragile to me, with thin plastic supports on the inside. Cleaning the sticks of those is annoying too..

A lot of controllers don't want to be taken apart too, like the Xbox original (small) and basically all modern controllers. They started including screws under covers and stickers. Up to you if you want to take those apart.

 

Some controllers require different screwdrivers too. Although generally you can open up anything if you have:

- a small Phillips head and flathead (sometimes flatheads just work better)

- Tripoint/triwing (for anything Nintendo)

- Some spudgers can help too, for removing stickers and those plates on an Xbox One controller for example.

[Streetguru]

12 minutes ago, ohdatpro said:

So, my boss at the game store where I work has noticed that I'm pretty good at fixing things and wants me to undertake fixing, cleaning, restoring all of

Just buy a big ultrasonic cleaner probably, going to be the only real way to do it efficiently.

 

[ohdatpro]

my thought process was getting multiple tubs, taking apart all of the controllers, or at least a few at a time, and putting them in said tubs and just letting them set for a day or so while I test the hardware portion. I was trying to see if there was just a faster way to do it

[Hackentosher]

Isopropyl alcohol works great for cleaning just about anything. 

[minibois]

On 12/29/2019 at 11:41 PM, ohdatpro said:

my thought process was getting multiple tubs, taking apart all of the controllers, or at least a few at a time, and putting them in said tubs and just letting them set for a day or so while I test the hardware portion. I was trying to see if there was just a faster way to do it

Just setting them into a tub will not get rid of most of the crud on controllers. An ultrasonic cleaner would work better for that. Cheap simple ones will only be good for the buttons though, the shells are likely too large