What do to do with smoke odor on games?

[junkeR]

I purchased some games and they reek like they came from a smokey household. They're in pretty good condition. Do I just let them air out somewhere for a couple days? Or, is there anything else I can do for them? They cartridges and not CDs.

[drauch]

Yeah, just let them sit out in the open for awhile. I bought a PSX controller one time that smelled like shit. It even had little crusties and yellow stains from being around so much smoke. After a little bit it finally went away, thank god.

[Specineff]

This may be a long shot. Grab a cardboard box, and secure an open box of baking soda so it doesn't spill or tip over. (Tape may help.) Then put the carts on the other side of the big box, and seal it for a few days. The baking soda may suck some of the stench.

A good wipe with a damp cloth may help too.

[junkeR]

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll wipe down the carts and clean the contacts. Thanks for your help.

[Ed Oscuro]

The first thing you do is you note the return address. Then you go to said address and force the perp to suck down 100 lit cigarettes at the same time. Works every time. You'll need a change of clothes though, and possibly a filtering mask if you're particularly sensitive to airborne contaminants.

Cheaper alternatives: Asking the seller if they smoke, or transferring a newly-bought game to another box after purchase for months on end (the baking soda suggestion is not too bad either), by which time the skies ought to be clear again.

[evil_ash_xero]

Someone sold me a Bangai-O that just freaking reeked of cigarettes. I have a friend who smokes like a freight train who lets me borrow stuff that doesn't smell like that.
I had to let it sit out for about 5 days, and it got rid of most of the smell. I don't think there was any yellowing on the manual, but damn it stunk.

[brentsg]

I bought one of those PCE memory cards.. tennokoe bank cards, I think they are called. I had a difficult time locating it and ended up sourcing it straight from Asia. It smelled terrible, and it still smells terrible now.. probably 10 years later.

[Slump]

The first thing you do is you note the return address. Then you go to said address and force the perp to suck down 100 lit cigarettes at the same time.

I could take it . But yeah, baking soda sounds like a pretty good idea actually, it'll usually suck up most odors or if nothing else wiping it down with highly diluted bleach would probably help too.

[FIL]

Baking powder certainly works for mildewy books so it's worth a shot with games too. I've only ever had one used game that smelled of smoke. Weirdly enough it was the PS2 version of A-Train 6, the previous owner must have been a chainsmoking railfan.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

What's even worse if you buy a said arcade PCB from a smoker -- have encounter a few PCBs like that off of eBay in the past.

Do you end up resorting to washing said precious PCB in the dishwasher to get rid of that smell or what? What if said PCB is one of those rare and expensive ones but still reeks of cigarette smoke?

I've been to a few Japanese game centers and smoking is perfectly acceptable. Or being inside one of those small and super noisy pachinko parlors that reek to high heaven indeed of cigarette smoke -- instantly sticks to one's clothes. In California with the very tough anti-smoking laws in effect, you won't see anyone smoking inside such an arcade establishment anyways.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[kernow]

Just start smoking

[Ed Oscuro]

What's even worse if you buy a said arcade PCB from a smoker -- have encounter a few PCBs like that off of eBay in the past.

Was it possible that it was just from a smoke-filled arcade? When I got (curse my eyes!) my Taito SI-era cocktail, there was a good layer of grime on everything. Smoke-filled dust just settled on all the boards and components. A number of PCBs I've gotten from other members here obviously had arcade pasts - it wasn't the fault of the Shmups member, they just weren't reckless with the soap and water like myself (Haven't killed a PCB ever.)

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I've got to admit owning some of those ciggy reeking PCBs are considered a badge of honor with their storied past lives spent in them smoky arcades -- it gives said PCBs some well-worn grittyness and character. As a non-smoker myself, it is nice to buy/acquire an used arcade PCB that doesn't smell smoky though. If it does smell smoky, it's all part of the charms of the arcade PCB hobby indeed.

Recall having bought an SSV game once with a dead spider & it's webby home/nest between the mobo & game PCB layers...simply pried them apart and cleaned it up. Put everything back together & it was good as new.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Limbrooke]

I've only ever dealt with an odour on a game with fabric softener sheets, like Bounty. I used one on a copy of Vapor Trail I had which had a strong musty smell. After a month or so of the Bounty sheet sitting inside the case, most of the odour was gone, replaced with a fresher smell. I would say if you can air out the components for a few days on end would be a good start, if not washing. Otherwise, fabric softener sheets should do the trick.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

That's a pretty useful Protip right there, Limbrooke. I'll consider that the next time I get a smoky arcade PCB.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ed Oscuro]

it gives said PCBs some well-worn grittyness and character.

I see it as a way to cause shorts and prevent myself from being able to check for rust as easily - then again, I don't imagine that any but the most soiled PCBs are more at risk of faults, but you can never really tell what's on a PCB when you go to clean it.

I despite the use of Febreze or fabric softener, I can smell that stuff and it irritates me. Is it as bad as cigarettes? No, but it's choking anyway.

[microcosm]

What's even worse if you buy a said arcade PCB from a smoker -- have encounter a few PCBs like that off of eBay in the past.

At least they can be washed, something you can't do with cardboard games boxes. Isopropyl alcohol is a good solvent for this - it won't dissolve the PCB (unlike acetone), and it evaporates quickly.

[undamned]

I've only ever dealt with an odour on a game with fabric softener sheets, like Bounty. I used one on a copy of Vapor Trail I had which had a strong musty smell. After a month or so of the Bounty sheet sitting inside the case, most of the odour was gone, replaced with a fresher smell.

"Mmmm! Your PCB's smell so fresh!"
-ud

[BulletMagnet]

I'd go with "Gee, Your PCB Smells Terrific!" myself.

[grobda]

I used antistatic foam on the PC i got off my dad. The 'gold' casing turned back to its natural silver. The internal fans were the worst; smoke and dust make sticky crud. Made sure it was all dry before I fired it up. Still got the odd whiff for a couple of weeks but cant tell now unless I get really close to the rear and sniff it. But thats a bit weird if the g/f walks in.

[Khan]

I've only ever dealt with an odour on a game with fabric softener sheets, like Bounty. I used one on a copy of Vapor Trail I had which had a strong musty smell. After a month or so of the Bounty sheet sitting inside the case, most of the odour was gone, replaced with a fresher smell. I would say if you can air out the components for a few days on end would be a good start, if not washing. Otherwise, fabric softener sheets should do the trick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBeSPvXz ... sponse_rev

On topic though sticking the thing in a card board box with some coffee helps as the coffee absorbs the odour.

[Limbrooke]

I've only ever dealt with an odour on a game with fabric softener sheets, like Bounty. I used one on a copy of Vapor Trail I had which had a strong musty smell. After a month or so of the Bounty sheet sitting inside the case, most of the odour was gone, replaced with a fresher smell.

"Mmmm! Your PCB's smell so fresh!"
-ud

Not really. Vapor Trail has barely if any smell of anything now, which is good enough for me. I would never use Febreeze for what it's worth, or any aerosol spray to counter musty/stench.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBeSPvXz ... sponse_rev
On topic though sticking the thing in a card board box with some coffee helps as the coffee absorbs the odour.

Good arrange and good idea. Never knew coffee had such properties.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

If you just can't get rid of the smoke odor, try rubbing your penis against the case. It'll at least smell like something you like.

and then sell it.

[ZOM]

But then what if the case's odor doesn't change, and instead your gigawang reeks like a smokey kitchen?

[BulletMagnet]

Then you've got a ready-made Clinton joke with you at all times.

[Ed Oscuro]

*polite applause at the above exchange*