The line in the screw is there to allow you access take the balltop off by using a flathead screwdriver. A vicegrips adds potential risk to the end of the shaft or plastic actuator. Thanks for the video.
First thing I always do when I get a new console/controller is to strip it down and give it a good bath and scrub. You never know what kind of a beast was drooling on it before.
If I restore a old console and use a magic eraser to remove scuffs or scratches I always use pledge to shine the console and hide any discoloration from the magic eraser I find it does a good job and doesn't leave the console greasy feeling when its rubbed in properly
i use Turtle Wax Black Plastic Restorer (for plastic black car parts), it will give it a newer look and makes a darker shine, i used it for my mega drive and it looks brand new, scratches will be less visible too with it, maybe a tip to check car products :) thanks for sharing this Luke
Hey Luke, maybe you already know this but Seimitsu also makes tiny balltops, 45mm, 35mm and 30mm which I believe are direct replacements for these NG sticks, they also come in grey and they look almost like the original just a bit more brighter.
Thanks for the vid Luke just picked up a Sega virtua stick your tutorial was superb. Removed the post cleaned up the gubbins regreased and now it works like a champ
I would love to see a Famicom AV joystick refuurbishing. I don't how to proceed, i asume it's easier than with this one. As always, great video Luke. Thanks for sharing!
Really impressive! I was surprised by just how much of a difference the bicycle oil made at the end. This video is getting me thinking it may be time to clean some of my own controllers. I shudder to think what may lurk in the ol' Dualshock. >_
For controllers, I'll wash the shell in the dishwasher and the buttons by hand. I did this with my Super Nintendo controller and the thing now looks brand new. Once I get the screwdrivers for Nintendo cartridges and consoles, I'm going to gut my SNES and wash the case in the dishwasher as well.
Great tutorial, I have two Neo controllers which are in pretty good condition (one virtually brand new) but in the future when they start to get worn or if I pick any additional ones up that aren't too shabby then at least I now know a good technique to refurbish these beauties :)
I buy PCE controllers in lots, I got a few that were nasty and worn. I find that to clean the buttons easiest, I soak them in plain - no aloe - hand sanititzer (I also make sure theres no acetone in it). I go over the PCB with denatured alcohol. I also rub the contoller cord with the sanitizer, takes off a LOT of brown gunk. After that it's Q-tips and lots of soft rubbing, and some hand buffing. Makes them look new (except for the ones where finger acid has worn the controllers)
Awesome job, it drives me nuts when I watch classing consoles controllers being reviewed and the person hasn't taken the time to give it some TLC and wash the caked on dirt and grime. Question about the mechanical grease, where can I get some? and I'm assuming its safe on plastic parts and as well would you use the same grease for greasing rails on a disc drive?
Planning on refurbishing my controller and replacing balltop as well, going to add some grease as well. Is there a risk of the plastic screw mount holes cracking when unscrewing the components inside? Will silicone grease work for the purpose?
Great video Luke, have you tried using a product like Novus plastic polish when re-furbing consoles or peripherals? I use it all the time when restoring pinball machines and think it would probably work really well in buffing out the scratches on this joystick.
Loved the vid and was very happy to know how to rescind controllers will try to do this one some of me ps2 controllers and as always thanks for the great and lengthy vid Luke!!!
Good stuff man, but personally I would replace the ball, sense your eventually going to have to do so at some point with it being call cracked up like that, as I recently repaired a pair of N64 controllers with bad analog sticks, and found it easier to just replace the sticks, then trying to take them apart, and do one of the many tricks to get them back working some what.
Hey luke I got a question. I've been looking into getting a neo geo aes. Most of the ones for sale on ebay are from japan. Witch was no big deal until I saw the shipping. Why is the shipping so high, and is there a way around it?
Nice work. If there is one thing I've learned about game collecting, it's that people are disgusting and that I spend a lot of time cleaning retro games and hardware. It's cool that even rough looking AES parts are so accessible where you live. We've pretty much got Ebay to turn to in the west. The AES is so awesome and one of these days I'll finally buy one.
***** I've been thinking about the MVS as an alternate. A working MVS can be found for the same price as an AES and games are much less. Of course, there is always the issue of it taking up even more space. :)
When you are disassembling consoles and controllers, do you ever find yourself impersonating the guy from the tomb raiders movies when he is disassembling the clock?
You know, I thought the cracking in the ball was a design choice. Even brand new sticks had some of this. I thought it looked cool... like a marble effect. I didn't know they could actually go through to the surface. Probably a dumb question, but have you ever tried disassembling a Neo-Geo X stick to see what parts they are using. I heard from someone that they were gluing the ball on them to "fix" them. wouldn't surprise me! Hah, and yes, don't let ANYONE catch you washing your balls (or your shaft for that matter) in the sink!!
.Hello, This was an excellent video of you refurbishing this Neo-Geo AES controller! I put his video up on "The Official NEO-GEO Thread" under the" classic gaming general" section, on Atariage.com forums to show others a visual guidance on how to do so! If you like, its on page 18, post #443. Thank you for sharing this vid!
No. That eats through plastic. You want Lithium Grease. It can be bought at any hardware store for dirt cheap. I recently got a huge tube as big as my arm for $7, and it will probably last me 10 years.
The line in the screw is there to allow you access take the balltop off by using a flathead screwdriver. A vicegrips adds potential risk to the end of the shaft or plastic actuator.
Thanks for the video.
Best 40 minutes of my whole week.
"Don't ever let the wife catch you washing the balls in the sink" - LOL, I think most women would be pleased that any washing was taking place =)
Just found one of these at the flea market for $3! I can finally apply this tutorial.
First thing I always do when I get a new console/controller is to strip it down and give it a good bath and scrub. You never know what kind of a beast was drooling on it before.
Just got to say, your thoroughness and obvious care for this is readily apparent.
Always a good time watching your repair/refurbish vids :D
If I restore a old console and use a magic eraser to remove scuffs or scratches I always use pledge to shine the console and hide any discoloration from the magic eraser I find it does a good job and doesn't leave the console greasy feeling when its rubbed in properly
i use Turtle Wax Black Plastic Restorer (for plastic black car parts), it will give it a newer look and makes a darker shine, i used it for my mega drive and it looks brand new, scratches will be less visible too with it, maybe a tip to check car products :)
thanks for sharing this Luke
+hamdit ok, at the end you do use car product lol, commented too early in the video
Hey Luke, maybe you already know this but Seimitsu also makes tiny balltops, 45mm, 35mm and 30mm which I believe are direct replacements for these NG sticks, they also come in grey and they look almost like the original just a bit more brighter.
Thanks for the vid Luke just picked up a Sega virtua stick your tutorial was superb. Removed the post cleaned up the gubbins regreased and now it works like a champ
I would love to see a Famicom AV joystick refuurbishing. I don't how to proceed, i asume it's easier than with this one. As always, great video Luke. Thanks for sharing!
7:28 -- "Black Magic Marker"? Isn't that a Santana song? :P
Really impressive! I was surprised by just how much of a difference the bicycle oil made at the end. This video is getting me thinking it may be time to clean some of my own controllers. I shudder to think what may lurk in the ol' Dualshock. >_
Excellent video, it's nice to see I'm not the only one that does this with all his "new" joy sticks.
Note to self do not wash balls in the sink. TY Lukemorse1
For controllers, I'll wash the shell in the dishwasher and the buttons by hand. I did this with my Super Nintendo controller and the thing now looks brand new. Once I get the screwdrivers for Nintendo cartridges and consoles, I'm going to gut my SNES and wash the case in the dishwasher as well.
Do you know if there's a way to neatly remove the feet, and reapply them later, to get at the screws?
Great tutorial, I have two Neo controllers which are in pretty good condition (one virtually brand new) but in the future when they start to get worn or if I pick any additional ones up that aren't too shabby then at least I now know a good technique to refurbish these beauties :)
I buy PCE controllers in lots, I got a few that were nasty and worn. I find that to clean the buttons easiest, I soak them in plain - no aloe - hand sanititzer (I also make sure theres no acetone in it). I go over the PCB with denatured alcohol. I also rub the contoller cord with the sanitizer, takes off a LOT of brown gunk. After that it's Q-tips and lots of soft rubbing, and some hand buffing. Makes them look new (except for the ones where finger acid has worn the controllers)
Awesome job, it drives me nuts when I watch classing consoles controllers being reviewed and the person hasn't taken the time to give it some TLC and wash the caked on dirt and grime. Question about the mechanical grease, where can I get some? and I'm assuming its safe on plastic parts and as well would you use the same grease for greasing rails on a disc drive?
Planning on refurbishing my controller and replacing balltop as well, going to add some grease as well.
Is there a risk of the plastic screw mount holes cracking when unscrewing the components inside? Will silicone grease work for the purpose?
Yesterday I just reinstalled all my consoles again after the house moving and it looks like my fight sticks would need some cleaning, too :)
Great video Luke, have you tried using a product like Novus plastic polish when re-furbing consoles or peripherals? I use it all the time when restoring pinball machines and think it would probably work really well in buffing out the scratches on this joystick.
Loved the vid and was very happy to know how to rescind controllers will try to do this one some of me ps2 controllers and as always thanks for the great and lengthy vid Luke!!!
Good stuff man, but personally I would replace the ball, sense your eventually going to have to do so at some point with it being call cracked up like that, as I recently repaired a pair of N64 controllers with bad analog sticks, and found it easier to just replace the sticks, then trying to take them apart, and do one of the many tricks to get them back working some what.
hey luke awesome vid man, like those deep cracks can you use some epoxy or filler to fill the cracks? i think there is some loctite stuff might work
I've also seen people use Pledge too.
Or you could try using a blow dryer to soften the glue and stick a screw driver on the other end.
Helpful in 2021 thx
Hey luke I got a question. I've been looking into getting a neo geo aes. Most of the ones for sale on ebay are from japan. Witch was no big deal until I saw the shipping. Why is the shipping so high, and is there a way around it?
Nice work. If there is one thing I've learned about game collecting, it's that people are disgusting and that I spend a lot of time cleaning retro games and hardware.
It's cool that even rough looking AES parts are so accessible where you live. We've pretty much got Ebay to turn to in the west. The AES is so awesome and one of these days I'll finally buy one.
I am considering just getting a Neo Geo CD. I don't have the room or the finances to do AES.
***** I've been thinking about the MVS as an alternate. A working MVS can be found for the same price as an AES and games are much less. Of course, there is always the issue of it taking up even more space. :)
Zach B CMVS and a multicart is the way to go for pure gaming experience
When you are disassembling consoles and controllers, do you ever find yourself impersonating the guy from the tomb raiders movies when he is disassembling the clock?
can we use sanwa ball top as a replacemaents? is it fits well or they have the same thread? my ng balltop is already cracks and its painfull to use.
You know, I thought the cracking in the ball was a design choice. Even brand new sticks had some of this. I thought it looked cool... like a marble effect. I didn't know they could actually go through to the surface. Probably a dumb question, but have you ever tried disassembling a Neo-Geo X stick to see what parts they are using. I heard from someone that they were gluing the ball on them to "fix" them. wouldn't surprise me! Hah, and yes, don't let ANYONE catch you washing your balls (or your shaft for that matter) in the sink!!
I use WD-40. Would you say bicycle oil gives a better result?
I love you luke (as a friend :b) the don't let your wife catch you washing the parts in the sink had me laughing
is the ball easy to remove or will I have to unscrew the entire joystick?
Can you make a review/gameplay video on Radiant Silvergun?
.Hello,
This was an excellent video of you refurbishing this Neo-Geo AES controller!
I put his video up on "The Official NEO-GEO Thread" under the" classic gaming general" section, on Atariage.com forums to show others a visual guidance on how to do so! If you like, its on page 18, post #443.
Thank you for sharing this vid!
Magic sink fixes everything :P Great vid man
would petroleum jelly be as good as the mechanical grease?
No. That eats through plastic. You want Lithium Grease. It can be bought at any hardware store for dirt cheap. I recently got a huge tube as big as my arm for $7, and it will probably last me 10 years.
whats wrong with WD40? i use that to clean my controllers.
why not use a heat gun?
Second hand controllers need detoxifying LOL
top job man
i can fiend this for pc