Working on a 90s arcade cabinet changed my view on cleaning boards

I was fixing a Street Fighter II machine at a retro arcade in Portland last year, and the owner insisted I blast the main board with compressed air before even looking at it. I did, and it blew a tiny surface mount resistor right off the board. Everyone says to clean first, but now I always check for loose parts with a magnifier and gently brush instead. Has anyone else had a simple cleaning step cause more damage?

3 comments

3 Comments

wilson.olivia2d ago

Blast it with air? That sounds terrifying for an old board!

quinn6062d ago

My neighbor's 1980s stereo finally gave out last week after he tried to clean the dust out with a compressor hose. It made me realize we treat a lot of old, delicate things with the same harsh fixes we use for new, tough stuff. There's a real fear of gentle care being too slow or not enough. We forget that patience and a soft brush often work better than force, whether it's for electronics or even old furniture.

paige_robinson242d ago

Honestly, sometimes you gotta bring in the big guns. If a soft brush isn't cutting it, a quick, careful blast from a distance can save you hours of picking at it.