RF Generation Message Board

So I bought a copy of 1080 snowboarding pal version and it came with stickers on it.
I was wondering if there is anyway to remove the stickers without damaging the box?

pictures for reference I guess

Top right corner
[img width=700 height=525]http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu255/Pixmata/IMG_20120406_182858.jpg[/img]

Bottom Center
[img width=700 height=525]http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu255/Pixmata/IMG_20120406_182909.jpg[/img]

Also if anyone wants to buy this PM me and we'll work something out

Thanks in advance!

Definitely know a few people that would be interested in it, myself included.
As for removing the stickers, there are multiple methods available. I'm not sure what is best for the security one on the back, though it'll likely just peel off. Someone with more experience can chime in on how to remove the stickers better.

I've had some success using a hair dryer to heat up the sticker and then peel it off very easily. If there is any remaining residue just use your finger to roll it off the side of the box. Those security stickers like the one on the back are a bit tricky sometimes though. You should be able to tell right away after heating it up if its going to come off easily or not. If it doesnt feel like its going to let go of the box then I'd just leave it. Its not to unsightly.

So I used the hairdryer technique, and after 10 minutes, lots of burning my hand and crapping my pants whenever the security tag would loosen up it peeled off leaving a minimal amount of residue. I found a product online that should help with the price tag on the front so I'm gunna try that when I get the money to buy it. Thanks for the help guys :) Once I get the front sticker off I'm probably gunna post it for sale, so if anyones interested it's CIB and minty as hell :D

Glad it worked for you! What exactly is the product your hoping to get for the other sticker? I was referring to that one specifically when I suggested the hair dryer. I've had several good experiences removing those types of stickers with it.

Not to be overly critical of the condition your suggesting its in, but I would have a hard time considering that "minty as hell". In just those two pics you can see quite a bit of wear around the edges and corners of the box. And after an ebay check it isnt exactly a very valuable item, why the big push to sell it?

I was thinkin bout gettin a product called 'Goo-gone' or something along those lines. Minty as hell may have been an over-statement on my part, it is in good condition though, everything considered (Box, Cart, Manual, inserts) and I'm trying to save up for a trip to Thunderbay this summer, every last bit helps :)

I might make a video explaining my alcohol+q-tip method. If perfectly applied it should take the sticker clean off and not leave any residue.

Be very careful using goo-gone on cardboard. It doesnt take much to leave a pretty obvious spot with discoloration on the box.

Good answers to my questions BTW!

Thanks for the warning, I like my boxes to be in the best condition they can be and stickers really bother me.

What exactly is your alcohol+q-tip method sirpycho?

Goo-Gone is great stuff, I use it all the time. I wouldn't use it on cardboard or paper though. Works great on plastic and metal and other non-porous materials.

Just use 70% rubbing alcohol on a q-tip, smear it on the sticker and ONLY the sticker. Let it soak in and peel it off easily.

I've been lazy and still have those boxed NES games to get stickers off of, so I might record my process tomorrow. Its really easy.

A little off topic from the box, but for stickers on carts and even permanent marker Goof Off 2 is the best chemical I've ever used.  It comes in a orange spray bottle.  Don't use the regular Goof Off, it isn't safe for plastics.  Goof Off 2 is really good for getting off marker and for loosening stickers.  Goo Gone works well for residue, but it leaves everything pretty oily.  Good luck!

Thanks, a_hub, I was actually looking into getting permanent marker off of carts, I just got 1 with a bunch of writting on it

I can second this statement. Same stuff I use.

Here's what I do if I'm removing stickers from cardboard boxes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4veOvv3qKnQ

"Try not to get any on the box....... whoops", lol!

Yeah I had it angled for the camera and then I watched some drip down the back. No harm no foul. ;)

Goo-gone is nice and all, but I can never find the non-spray kind!

On another note, I like to keep stickers on them, it's like a plaque that goes on them to show what they were clearanced for or where they came from.
But then again, most of the games that I get that have stickers on them are Gameboy games where you have to remove them or it'll mess up the contact.

Thats funny, I see the non-spray kind often. I think Home Depot is one of the last places I remember seeing it. Strangely, even though I feel like I use it all the time, I have never used up my first bottle. It is a small bottle and wasn't even full when I got it. A little goes a long ways I guess.

what if a sticker was removed a long time ago and there's leftover residue everywhere that won't come off easily? does rubbing alcohol work on that too?

Goo gone is best used to remove minimal amounts of residue after having already peeled off the sticker.  I found it best to spray a little on a rag or old shirt to control the amount used to remove the residue, especially when using it on cardboard or paper.  Like others have mentioned, I agree with goof off being the best for markers and such--unless its on a disc.

Just a little blog post I wrote for www.pricecharting.com. I'll share it with you guys. Some of you may already use these Techniques or as I see many of you have Techniques of your own. Anyways here you go, this how I clean my games. I'm VERY picky on how my collection is displayed and I hate when certain games become an eyesore to display.


How to Clean Video Games & Consoles with Household Products

Below are some quick tips on how to clean your video games and game systems using household products. The most common problems like dirty contacts, stickers, and markers are covered. Most of this info pertains to older cartridge based consoles but will work on newer consoles in some instances.

Warning: While cleaning the inside of a game system with a liquid solution, ALWAYS UNPLUG THE CONSOLE first to avoid electrical hazards. Also make sure the electronics are completely dry before powering the system back on.

How to Cleaning Game Cartridges

For cartridge based consoles it is highly recommended to clean your games and the system (Mainly the cartridge slot) before playing games on it. I say this because some games or cartridge slots may be really dirty and the last thing you want to do is insert a dirty game into a clean cartridge slot or the other way around.

It is very common for people to simply blow on cartridge based games to clean them. This is a simple solution but not a perfect fix. I would recommend using a Q-Tip and original Windex, yes Windex not rubbing alcohol. Believe me it works much better to clean games.

I usually have a small jar I put Windex in and dunk the Q-Tip in to soak the end with Windex. You will want to then place the wet end of the Q-Tip on the contacts of the game cartridge and run it across the board a few times on both sides of the board. You may see the tip of the Q-Tip turning black from the dust it has collected, even if you did the old blowing into the cartridge technique you will be surprised how much more dust and grime is still left on the board. When done using the wet side of the Q-Tip you will now want to use the dry side of it to dry the area you just cleaned.

How to Clean Cartridge Slots

Cleaning cartridge slots in the game system is a little different. Usually I like to take a credit card and wrap it in a thin felt cloth and spray it with Windex. Do not completely soak the cloth just dampen it. Simply take your dampened cloth with card and slide it into the cartridge slot moving the card up and down through the slot. To dry it you can simply blow on it or you can use a can of compressed air. Windex is designed to dry quickly without having to wipe it off. So not much to worry about if you just dampen the cloth it should dry without a problem.

How to Remove Stickers from Games

Removing those pesky stickers can be a little annoying and involves a little patience. It is recommended to slowly peel the sticker off, but we all know chances are the sticker will just tear and you will be stuck with a white torn sticker left on your game or sticker residue. Only if you’re lucky will the sticker simply come off with no problem. The longer a sticker is on the product the harder it is to remove.

If the simple tear method doesn't remove the entire sticker try this.

Use either high content rubbing alcohol (Usually 90% or higher) or Goo Gone. Whichever you may have at hand. Take your product and apply a generous amount to a paper towel and soak the sticker. You may also slowly pour the chemical directly from the bottle onto the sticker but be careful for spills. Let the product sit for approximately 30-60 seconds, rubbing alcohol dries very quickly compared to Goo Gone so keep that in mind.

After the chemical is applied you may just want to scratch away at the sticker with your fingernail until the sticker is removed. Sometimes you may need to apply more chemical and repeat these steps until the sticker is removed completely.

You can also use a razor blade and scrape the sticker off instead of scratching with your fingernail, but the razor may cut the product you are cleaning if not positioned right, so be careful and patient if you try that. For any leftover sticker residue after the sticker has been removed I recommend using a rubbing alcohol soaked paper towel or even hot water soaked paper towel and wiping the area clean. Then simply dry it off with a paper towel. Now you should be sticker free!

These tips are for stickers stuck on game cases, game cartridges, or consoles. If you have a sticker on a paper game cover art or manual I cannot recommend using these techniques as they will damage your product. Also this only works on paper based stickers. Some stickers may be metal based "Non-removable" rental stickers. There are ways to remove rental stickers but that is a completely different method and may damage your product.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from Games & Consoles

So you just got a game or system with someone's name or initials. What do you do? Well truth be told permanent marker really isn't permanent and can be removed using two easy techniques.

Technique 1 involves hairspray. I prefer hairspray in an aerosol can as it seems to work better. Simply spray the area with hairspray and let it sit 5-10 seconds. You should see the ink start to bleed off quickly. Now wipe the area vigorously with a dry paper towel. Most if not all the ink should be gone. If some ink remains simply repeat the above steps.

A few things I want to address about hairspray are that it does not leave a sticky feeling at all to the applied surface. Hairspray is designed to be absorbed in the hair and then cure after being absorbed. Hairspray cannot be absorbed in plastics and metals. If stickiness is of a concern to you it is possible to wipe the area clean with a paper towel soaked in water and wipe dry afterwards. This method works great for areas like LCD screens or any area where light pressure is needed to remove ink from a product. Since the hairspray does most of the work for you.

Technique 2 involves using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser soaked in water. Simply soak the magic eraser in water and start scrubbing away at the permanent marker ink. With a little patience and elbow grease the marker will come right off.

How to Clean & Restore Corroded Electronics

Corrosion can appear as a light blue or white gunked up substance on game cartridge boards or system cartridge slots and electrical connectors. Corrosion and rust are completely different types of degrading on metals. Corrosion is usually formed by two dissimilar metals. There are several other ways it can be formed, but you're not here for a chemistry lesson you want to learn how to clean the corrosion off.

To clean corrosion off you simply need baking soda and hot water from your faucet, that’s it. I would suggest one cup of hot water then about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix the two together with a spoon. Now you have a safe corrosion cleaning chemical. Depending on what you are using it on makes a difference how you apply it. If it is a cartridge slot on a game system than you may want to just apply it to a felt cloth and wrap the cloth around a credit card (Make sure the cloth is damp you and not soaked. You may need to lightly squeeze the cloth to release some liquid), then proceed to move the card up and down in the slot to clean the area.

For game cartridge contacts you can simply dunk a Q-Tip in the solution and use it in a similar way you would to clean games with Windex. I would allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before you dry the area. When done dry the area with compressed air or a dry Q-Tip. You can also use a Scotch Brite pad dampened in this solution to clean electronics if you can access areas with it. Corrosion rarely forms on electronics, so only use this guide if corrosion is present.

How to Clean CD or DVD Discs

If a disc you have has scratches or scuffing you may want to seek out a place in your area to correct these problems and resurface the discs. Most places only charge a few dollars to resurface discs. I would not recommend using cheap cleaning kits to clean a disc as most people have reported that it may make your disc worse. I have experienced this first hand with Disc Doctor as the machine left many scuffs on my disc.

For discs some problems may be from simple finger smudges present on the surface. For a light cleaning of the disc use a dry felt cloth and rub the surface of the disc from the inner ring outward. Do not rub the disc in a circular motion as it will go against the 'grain' of the disc. No chemicals needed here.

How to Clean Console Casings

So you have a game system and its collecting dust and you want to let it shine like new again. Or maybe you have a console or controller that has buttons that may stick and may not rebound all the way back or get stuck. Cleaning consoles goes a long way for looks but also in the consoles functionality.

If you want to properly clean the entire shell of the system you can simply remove the screws and the electronics connected to the case. I really would only do this with systems that have ridges in their molding such as an Atari 2600 or Sega Genesis systems. Cleaning those grooves can be a pain without taking the system apart.

Don't be afraid to take the retro game systems apart they are literally just a couple of screws and the motherboards come out easily. You can take the bare casings of the system and wash them in a sink with soapy water and a sponge. Dry it off and put back together. This method also works to clean jammed buttons that are filled with grime and food crumbs that get stuck in the buttons from kids using the system/controller.

A Swiffer duster and a can of compressed air are great products to invest in. No need to rip the console apart to use those. Keeping your consoles free of dust helps them breathe better keeping them less prone to getting clogged with dust, which can overheat the system. I've seen modern systems fail due to overheating from being covered knuckle deep in dust.

That's a great post, you should put it in your blog here. I use a lot of the same techniques, and it's funny that you write about cleaning a console case. I scrubbed down a SNES in my sink like this the other day.

Thanks Duke.Togo. I'm kinda new to this site but I did recently post this in my blog. I'm glad to see you take pride in looks and functionality of your collection also.

If you write things like that, you will fit in really well here!

No he wont. He'll make the rest of us look like the amateurs that we really are :P

He's shown me up already. Been a long time since I blogged.

Sweet!  Thanks, sirpsycho!  I've got a copy of Short Order/Eggsplode! that still has the EB Games sticker on it.  It's my only mint CIB NES game and the defect drives me nuts, so I'll be trying that little trick when I get home from work.

I was wiping down a bunch of SNES carts that I picked up the other day. I didn't have time to do sticker removal and deep cleaning but it was interesting to inspect each cart. Isn't it strange that we spend so much time trying to restore these carts to their original sterile mass-produced state? It there something to be said for leaving the history of past rental stickers, owners names, doodles, and other historical artifacts left on the cart? Does anyone else find these compelling?

Hmmm, that's an interesting take MrFrumble. I've never considered leaving games in their found state, and they usually look neglected to me. I guess I think of how it should look versus how it does.

I like the idea you speak of, but I feel compelled to clean them anyway. There is one family in town that I've ended up unknowingly buying groups of games off of 3 times now over the span of about 3 years. I've probably got between 30-40 of their games in my collection now. A part of me wishes I would have kept their last name written on my carts so that I could have a Fitzpatrick "wing" in my game collection though.

For a while, I kept a list games that had names on them or rental/store stickers on them. But the list eventually got misplaced and neglected. I like the idea of preserving a game's unique history, but I guess I like the looks of a nice neat looking game more.

Yeah, I'm thinking that a close up photo of each cart that is interesting might suffice. I like the "be kind please rewind" sticker on the back of Killer Instinct.

My copy of Cosmic Carnage had a blockbuster sticker on the back that said "To play is human. To rewind is divine." Best one I've seen so far.

I have an SNES cart that has sticker residue on the backside over the warning label.  It seems fairly resistant to just rubbing off so I tried using another sticker to remove the adhesive, but when I do, it also started to remove the top layer of the warning label.  I am hesitant to try goo gone since it seems like that would remove the warning label also.  Any suggestions here?

You could always just swap the back of the cart with a cheap sports game.

Exactly. I try to use a similar backing, however.

Thats a good idea that never even occurred to me to do. Ill try that out.

Don't the warning stickers have a number marked on them? I'd try to swap the back with one that has the same number on it.

Found an effective way of removing stickers from PSP cases.  First take everything out: game, manual and insert so you just have the plastic case.  Soak them in warm water for an hour or so.  Then use a soft sponge to scrub off the sticker.  I was able to get the entire sticker off including the residue.  These were stickers that would not pull off at all without tearing and leaving most of the white part underneath.

It takes a little time to dry them completely but I thought I'd share.  I'm guessing this would work for any plastic cases but I happen to use it on PSP cases.