this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Console Repair

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Anything and everything about retro and modern console repair.

If you've got a broken gaming console you are trying to fix, come here to talk about it. If you want to flex about a repair, post here. If you or your console's last lover did a non-destructive electronic mod to their console, or have a question about the options available or how to do it, you are welcome to post here.

If you suck at soldering, we still love you, but we might roast you.

If you did an extreme modification such as turning one of the few Nintendo Playstations into a Rubik's Cube, flex elsewhere. If you're trying to FIX a Nintendo Playstation that someone turned into a Rubik's Cube, post away!

Other great places:

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Let's talk about appropriate solvents/lubes/etc. (self.consolerepair)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by DarthBueller to c/consolerepair
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Do you wonder "what is the appropriate goop to use in this repair?" Let's talk about it. First things first:

  • petroleum based products risk degrading plastic and should not be used

  • WD-40 is a petroleum based solvent and is not a good lubricant in any situation

  • Plastic on plastic interfaces (e.g., microswitches in a joystick) can be lubricated with white lithium grease spray

  • Rosin-containing (amber colored) "no-clean" flux liquid is good for solder rework but HOLY FUCK it is hard to clean up even with IPA

  • Hot glue is NEVER THE RIGHT CHOICE. Use kapton tape to hold wires and for the love of god if you are doing a mod that adds a port through the case, use a compatible 2 part epoxy or a 3d printed bracket (or hell, a spacer made of paper) to friction fit it, because that glue is going to give way, it's just a matter of when.

Your turn - share your hard earned lessons regarding the right and wrong goops to use in different repair situations.

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[–] kadu 4 points 1 year ago

Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) is fantastic for cleaning electronics.

It's also going to degrade most rubbers, some plastics, and absolutely ruin any LCD if it manages to get in-between the layers of the panel (and it does manage to do so very often).

So do not go the Reddit route of drowning your stuff in isopropyl - apply it to a cotton bud or similar and apply on the components you wish to clean directly.