Famicom cart issues

Quick question - I seem to be having issues with some of my Famicom carts on my Twin (I had similar problems when testing on a Famicom as well). I'm suspecting the edge connector needs some more love as often pushing the cart back of forward helps a bit. I normally use isopropyl alcohol on my carts and 99% of the time it works. On occasions in the past I've disassembled the cart, used a little brasso to attack the connector and cleaned up with isopropyl and have found this worked, but the cutting effect of brasso has me a little worried for long term use of the carts and I can't seem to reliably separate Fami carts without breaking the plastic tabs

Any suggestions? I could see if I could find a stronger mix (I get it from the hardware store [for the Aussies on here, Bunnings], so I'm not sure if stronger mixes are a available), and I'm not sure on what the current thoughts are out there in the modding/repairing community on the use if brasso for PCB edge connectors either.

 

I've found Magic Eraser wetted with isopropyl does a great job at cleaning up cart connectors, and doesn't run the risk of stripping off the gold plating like Brasso (unless you go a little to crazy with the rubbing)

 

Hadn't thought of using Magic Eraser - do you cut it down and clean the cart contacts with the cartridge casing on, or do you disassemble the cart itself?

Might have to research some tips on disassembling Fami carts as well - can't get the damn things open without snapping the tabs

 

Magic Erasers are quite abrasive aren't they? I remember using them to clean up scuff marks off my Amstrad Mega PC controller.
For cartridges that are having troubles I tend to just use a pencil eraser and it hasn't failed me yet.
I remembering trying to work out how to open a Famicom cart and gave up for fear of destroying the cart

 

You'd have to open it up to really do the job. As to opening up Fami carts, I'm not sure. There's not some screws hiding behind the label on the back is there?

Magic Eraser is technically an abrasive, but it's a very mild one. You have to rub really hard for an extended period to really do damage with them. If you're gentle, you should be able to remove the tarnish with minimal damage to the gold plating. It should still be a last resort thing though, isopropyl alcohol with a strength as close to 100% as possible will normally fix dirty connectors.

 

According to the bottle, my iso is 100% apparently. The only other query is that the cart slot's a bit filthy, so might have to give the credit card + iso trick a go maybe.

With the Fami carts, they're held together by plastic tabs. You have to squeeze it a particular point on either side to open the tabs and separate it, kind of like what you do on a remote control. I'm pretty terrible - I can often get one tab done correctly, but break the second tab. Very frustrating!

 

opening the famicom cart is a delicate job, but like retro junkie says the better way is with a pencil eraser after the eraser finish it with alcohol, also clean the cart slot on the machine because the get very dirty too.