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How to Clean an Atari 2600

If you've just taken your Atari 2600 out of storage or picked one up at a garage sale, it may be covered with dust and grime, so much so that playing games is difficult. Fortunately, you can clean your system as long as you exercise a bit of care.

Things You'll Need

Screwdriver
Soft cloth or old T-shirt
Water
Soap
Cotton buds
Compressed air

Instructions

- 1
  Use a screwdriver to remove the console's screws and open it up.
- 2
  Remove the system board. Carefully hold the board by the edges so that you don't damage it. Set it down on a clean surface.
- 3
  Use compressed air to clean the joystick plugs. On the console, you'll find the female connection for the joysticks. Spray compressed air inside to remove any dust.
- 4
  Make a solution of soap and water. Add a tablespoon of dish soap to a gallon of warm water.
- 5
  Use the soap mixture to clean the plastic parts. Dip the cloth into your soap mixture and wipe down all plastic parts. Scrub harder if you have areas with a sticky substance. Use the cotton buds to clean dust out of crevices.
- 6
  Let the pieces dry, then put the console back together. Carefully put the system board back into the console and screw all the pieces back on.

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