Jon
Member
If you have everything under control, you're not going fast enough.
Posts: 224 
Registered on: July 2014
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Post by Jon on Dec 27, 2014 0:33:09 GMT
I decided that before I switch to the Xbox One fully that I should probably sort out and get all of my current hardware type stuff working to its fullest potential. That includes cleaning my controller. I know the basics of opening it up (I currently have it open) and wiping it down with soapy water and things like that, but it still has a small amount of dirt in the hard to reach places. I was wanting to know if any of you had cleaned your controllers before and had some pro tips for how to clean these tricky parts. (Tips on cleaning the circuit board would be especially helpful.)  *Two last things: Since I have the controller in pieces, would it work to maybe put the outer shell or buttons in a dishwasher to clean them or would that warp the plastic? Also, does anyone know an easy way to get the analog sticks off? |
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James Two7
Member
Master of 2nd place.
Posts: 758
Registered on: July 2014
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Post by James Two7 on Dec 27, 2014 2:09:02 GMT
Well I should think that the plastic components of the controller really aren't dishwasher safe considering most plastic kitchen utensils aren't, so think twice before you try that. I tried to dislodge some of the hard to reach dirt from one of my old PS2 controllers once with a tiny slot head screwdriver. It worked, but it scratched the controller quite noticeably so perhaps using something of a softer material such as a wooden cocktail stick might be more effective. You could wrap a cloth around it and dip in your cleaning fluid for a slightly more aggressive cleaning attempt. A decent cleaning fluid to use would be something like CIF. I don't know if that's available in your part of the world but it's basically a cream cleaner that's suitable for most dirt removal tasks and seems to be very slightly abrasive. As for your circuit boards, I'm not too clued up on that sort of thing though I do recall that some types of alcohol (not what you find in larger so don't start pouring that everywhere  ) can be used to clean circuit boards without damage. Might be worth researching and I think you can buy it pretty easily off the internet or even an electronics store. It's worth noting that a dirty circuit board isn't likely to affect the performance of the controller though. Hope that helps |
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spartan2291
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Posts: 414
Registered on: September 2014
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Post by spartan2291 on Dec 27, 2014 2:53:26 GMT
I would not put a controller's shell in a dishwasher.
Never heard of someone disassembling a controller just for cleaning, to be honest.
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Jon
Member
If you have everything under control, you're not going fast enough.
Posts: 224
Registered on: July 2014
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Post by Jon on Dec 27, 2014 3:04:32 GMT
spartan2291 You'd be surprised, it's actually pretty common and easy to dismantle (at least Xbox 360) controllers to clean them.
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spartan2291
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Posts: 414
Registered on: September 2014
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Post by spartan2291 on Dec 27, 2014 3:07:32 GMT
Is it really necessary, though?
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Post by iAP3XPRED4TORi on Dec 27, 2014 3:10:52 GMT
I take mine through the local car wash.. 80 lb per square inch water pressure... Clean as a whistle!!  |
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Jon
Member
If you have everything under control, you're not going fast enough.
Posts: 224
Registered on: July 2014
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Post by Jon on Dec 27, 2014 7:20:26 GMT
You two teasing me should have seen the dirt and grime when I opened it up, it was shocking how dirty the inside was (even when the outside was clean). It really is only five screws, all you need is a single tool.
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spartan2291
Member
Posts: 414
Registered on: September 2014
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Post by spartan2291 on Dec 27, 2014 8:50:07 GMT
You two teasing me should have seen the dirt and grime when I opened it up, it was shocking how dirty the inside was (even when the outside was clean). It really is only five screws, all you need is a single tool. Oh, I'm sure it's pretty easy, I just honestly have never heard of anyone I know caring to open them up at all. No teasing intended. |
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Post by Trowa on Dec 27, 2014 10:53:50 GMT
Tips on cleaning the circuit board. Dont. I suppose if you have to clean it you will want to use electronic safe duster but other than that DO NOT go near it with water and DO NOT wipe the dust off. Static electricity will be the end of you board. As for the tough to get places use a q-tip and/or a knife.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Registered on: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2014 13:15:25 GMT
I use a tooth pick to clean out the small gaps where dirt and grime gather, but I never open the controller up to clean it.
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Post by iAP3XPRED4TORi on Dec 27, 2014 15:54:56 GMT
You two teasing me should have seen the dirt and grime when I opened it up, it was shocking how dirty the inside was (even when the outside was clean). It really is only five screws, all you need is a single tool. All kidding aside... I believe it. But I would be afraid taking the thing apart would do more damage than good. And I Sure Wouldn't do it to an XBONE controller... Feels like they are made of eggshells! |
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) can be used to clean circuit boards without damage. Might be worth researching and I think you can buy it pretty easily off the internet or even an electronics store. It's worth noting that a dirty circuit board isn't likely to affect the performance of the controller though.
