Case scuff removal?

[smokemonster]

I'm shopping around for a Saturn, and a  lot of them have white and greyish scuffs on the case. Is it possible to clean or polish these off?

[assman]

Yes. A Magic Eraser (or comparable knock-off) does wonders on stuff like that.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Do NOT use a magic eraser on your console. Those are micro-abrasive and actually do more harm than good. You are essentially sanding the case when you use those.

Typically I have pretty decent luck using Windex and Paper Towels to buff the scuffs and marks off of my systems.

[smokemonster]

Sept 9, 2013 0:01:42 GMT TrekkiesUnite118 said:

Do NOT use a magic eraser on your console. Those are micro-abrasive and actually do more harm than good. You are essentially sanding the case when you use those.

Typically I have pretty decent luck using Windex and Paper Towels to buff the scuffs and marks off of my systems.

Thanks for the warning! If Windex works well, I take it that isopropyl alcohol also would be a good option?

[MIK]

If it has sticky marks or an old label that's left glue behind then you can use a small drop of lighter fluid on a kitchen towel and just rub the crap off.

If the case looks a-ok and just needs a clean then I use liquid glass cleaner, non-water based - one that cleans with vinegar. Works well on plastic and does not spoil the original look. Just lifts the crap off and dries quickly. Use kitchen towels again...

[WukaChopSuey]

Sept 9, 2013 1:32:31 GMT smokemonster said:

Sept 9, 2013 0:01:42 GMT TrekkiesUnite118 said:

Do NOT use a magic eraser on your console. Those are micro-abrasive and actually do more harm than good. You are essentially sanding the case when you use those.

Typically I have pretty decent luck using Windex and Paper Towels to buff the scuffs and marks off of my systems.

Thanks for the warning! If Windex works well, I take it that isopropyl alcohol also would be a good option?

Check it doesn't contain acetone or you'll have a nice white mark on the case where the scuff was

[smokemonster]

Well, I found two consoles and it looks like I'll have my work set out for me. Here they are in all of their dirty, scuffed up glory. Disturbingly, they're still in better shape than what the local used game store had in stock.

Model 1


Model 2


Thanks again for the tips.

[mick_aka]

Jesus they look grim.

Cases like that are pretty ripe for a rub-down and custom re-spray though

[MIK]

Wow they do look sorry! If the insides are cool and machines work then hunt down broken nice ones at a later date as these would make good donors for a new shell.

Good luck any way.

[NeoGeoNinja]

Sept 9, 2013 12:09:20 GMT mick_aka said:

Jesus they look grim.

Cases like that are pretty ripe for a rub-down and custom re-spray though

Agreed.

I don't think you'll at all easily bring these two back from the dead! I hope your not being charged for them either in that condition??!

Also, whatever you do, don't use isopropyl or (for example) nail varnish remover on these. It will PERMANENTLY harm the plastic. I know first hand from experience I'm afraid.

It has the same effect on plastic you holding chocolate a little too long has - becomes loose and moveable! Not good...

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Sept 9, 2013 1:32:31 GMT smokemonster said:

Sept 9, 2013 0:01:42 GMT TrekkiesUnite118 said:

Do NOT use a magic eraser on your console. Those are micro-abrasive and actually do more harm than good. You are essentially sanding the case when you use those.

Typically I have pretty decent luck using Windex and Paper Towels to buff the scuffs and marks off of my systems.

Thanks for the warning! If Windex works well, I take it that isopropyl alcohol also would be a good option?

Rubbing Alcohol isn't really going to do much, at least in my experience. It will disinfect it for sure, but it's not going to do much to cut through the grime very well. That's where Windex helps a lot. Not only that but Windex does a pretty good job restoring the natural shine of the plastic.

You'd be surprised how well Windex can take scuffs off if you work at it. Basically take a thick paper towel that has some Windex on it and work on the scuff with it. Typically I've found scratching at it gently through the towel with a fingernail tends to get the job done. Just don't scratch directly on it as you could end up causing more damage.

Now if the scuffs are actual scratches then there's not much you can do short of getting the dirt out of them to make them less noticeable.

[smokemonster]

Sept 9, 2013 13:59:58 GMT TrekkiesUnite118 said:

You'd be surprised how well Windex can take scuffs off if you work at it. Basically take a thick paper towel that has some Windex on it and work on the scuff with it. Typically I've found scratching at it gently through the towel with a fingernail tends to get the job done. Just don't scratch directly on it as you could end up causing more damage.

Windex it is. Thanks for the great suggestion!

Sept 9, 2013 12:33:20 GMT NeoGeoNinja said:

Sept 9, 2013 12:09:20 GMT mick_aka said:

Jesus they look grim.

Cases like that are pretty ripe for a rub-down and custom re-spray though

Agreed.

I don't think you'll at all easily bring these two back from the dead! I hope your not being charged for them either in that condition??!

I bought a SNES and a Dreamcast that looked much worse than this and both cleaned up really well with generic oxiclean and some elbow grease. I had to retr0brite the front controller ports on the SNES to get the yellowing out.

Here was one of my Dreamcasts when I bought it:


And after restoration:


My normal system is to completely break down new console purchases. I oxiclean the cases and use compressed air and 90% isopropyl alcohol to clean the electronics, and lubricate any moving parts with Super Lube synthetic grease. This procedure works great on controllers as well.

However, I've never had to fully restore a black system before (my Genesis and Xbox were near mint when I bought them), so I am worried that it won't clean up so nicely--black shows everything.

I'll post pictures when I'm finished. Fingers crossed!


edit: Here are some other consoles that I've restored (SNES, SNES mini, NES, NES-101):

[NeoGeoNinja]

Like you said smoke, they've all been white up until now.

As such, although the contrast is VERY high in the photo's you provided of the DC, the 'scars' are still visible to some extent, under certain light, I presume?

As such, I think you'll be able to clean these well enough, however, I think the scars will remain.

Although, who cares if they're cheap enough, right?

[MIK]

As NeoGeoNinja said, white/cream light colours is one thing and some what makes you blind to old marks which is not a bad thing, but black is a different pig. A small chip almost casts what looks like a shadow because the black chip is reflecting the light differently from the rest of the shell. There is no escape, it will always show up in day or electric light.

I lie about the escape, when playing games your looking at the screen.

It'll come up clean but those dents, scratches and chips will always show on black sadly. That's why it's worth keeping an eye out for another dead but good looking machine to put your fully working one in.

Another I should add... In time your also become blind to the marks on black tho so it's not all bad.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

It really depends on if they are just scuffs or actual scratches. My Sega CD had a few white scuffs and scratches on it when I got it. My Genesis had also gotten some light scratches and scuffs over the years as well. However after some work with Windex it now looks like this:



Now granted it wasn't covered in scuffs like the 2 Saturns smoke posted, but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of those wide surface scuffs come off with a little work.