How to clean Ps3 controller?

[Gdourado]

Hello, how are you? 

I got my hands on a couple of dualshock 3 controllers, but they are very dirty. 

I was looking for a way to clean them.

Some sites mention cue tips with rubbing alcohol. 

Other sites say rubbing alcohol damages the plastic. 

Other sites use windex.

Other use a mix of 3/4 water and 1/4 alcohol... 

 

Anyway... 

What is the best way and how do you clean them?

 

Thank you. 

Cheers 

[minibois]

Basically whatever gets it clean, especially between the two pieces that join the controller together: this is where most of the gunk gets in.

The only thing I never found out how to properly clean were the thumbsticks. Because they are made out of dog noses its rubber-y nature they usually came out kind of sticky after a water or soap wash.

[manikyath]

start with steaming hot water and a rag, dont use anything nasty if you dont need anything nasty.

 

if you're comfortable with this, disassembling can make cleaning a bit easier as well.

[imreloadin]

30 minutes ago, Gdourado said:

Hello, how are you? 

I got my hands on a couple of dualshock 3 controllers, but they are very dirty. 

I was looking for a way to clean them.

Some sites mention cue tips with rubbing alcohol. 

Other sites say rubbing alcohol damages the plastic. 

Other sites use windex.

Other use a mix of 3/4 water and 1/4 alcohol... 

 

Anyway... 

What is the best way and how do you clean them?

 

Thank you. 

Cheers 

I had a couple of Xbox 360 controllers that I sold and before I did it I disassembled them and took all of the plastic pieces (shell, buttons, control sticks, etc.) and soaked them in hot water for a while and then scrubbed them down.

As for the other electrical bits I just used a can of compressed air and a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and it got them cleaned decently.

 

You can find tons of guides online, I prefer ifixit's stuff however and I've got a teardown guide listed below from them:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PS3+Wireless+Controller+Teardown/64801

[KenjiUmino]

i use a mix of many things depending on how dirty a controller is.

 

level 1: if the controller is only slightly dirty or just a bit dusty, wiping it with a moist cloth is enough.

 

level 2: if there are stains on it i put window cleaner on the cloth instead of pure water. 

 

level 3: if there is this brown gunk between the seams and in the gaps of the buttons i try to GENTLY scratch that out with a thin wire, needle or other small sharp tool and use another wet widex cloth afterwards

 

level 4: if it still looks nasty i disassemble the controler and go all out, throw the plastic parts in the sink, soak it in hot water with a drop of dish liquid and give everything a good scrub.

 

bonus level: if there are spill marks on the electronics i wipe those off with a towel and rubbing alcohol 

[Gdourado]

Thanks for the input. 

I am comfortable with electronics teardown. I'll look at a few YouTube tutorials and the ifixit teardown and then have a goo.

Since I just got these used, I guess I'll go all out. 

 

Cheers and thanks.