Lets Refurb! Game Boy Color Deep Cleaning

If you're going to modify your Game Boy Color, or just want to get it back to nearly-new condition, this video is for you. We cover opening up the shell, removing the board and display, then thoroughly cleaning all the parts of the board.
A good cleaning can resolve such things as:
- Console won't power on
- Power switch is 'finicky' and easily shuts back off
- Volume low or not working
- Volume scratchy when turning dial
- Headphone jack 'stuck' in headphone mode
Also covered:
- 'Speaker rot' (dark brown coloration inside the speaker) (Thanks to BennVenn for the 'why'!)
Materials used:
- Isopropyl alcohol (99%): www.amazon.com/dp/B07NFSFBXQ/
- Pipe cleaners: www.amazon.com/dp/B07JW72WTL
- Cotton swabs
We love to hear from you - let us know what you'd like to see covered in detail, as we thoroughly enjoy being a retro gaming community resource. Cheers!

[@sjm4306]

The browning of the speaker could also be related to the adhesive reacting with moisture in the atmosphere. A lot of glues will tend to be hydrophillic and pull moisture out of the air and chemically react with it to discolor or worse yet become conductive (it's a very common and critical failure mode for old boards that use glues to hold down caps and such). Dave Jones of eevblog fame has done a video on it when he found a powered bookshelf speaker that developed an audible whine which ended up being adhesive that became conductive and was shorting out parts of the amplifier circuit.

[@BetterThanMeOfCourse]

I can really tell how much you care about what you do. And take the time to calmly explain every detail and share your knowledge. I’m just starting out on my first gameboy color mod so this is very much appreciated! :)

[@blueblue8357]

Very helpful, thanks!!

[@AppleVsGravity]

Jim Gaffigan.... is that you??

[@user-rf5vs9tj1g]

What does it mean if the screen doesn't work out it powers up?
So I run a shouldering iron over the lead gently? Until I see a picture?

[@thestonelamb]

Does the ipa not affect any solder joints w flux?

[@wacobob56dad]

Good job. Cleaned up an old Gameboy Color so my daughter in-law can play Tetris. Looks and plays like new. Thank you.

[@TANDAZJO]

Sir, you are not the only one buying a good deal

[@Sr.D]

It's ok to just use electronic contact cleaner instead of ipa? It usually works better for me at least when I used with cartridges and video outputs

[@HandHeldLegend]

Yup, thats just fine!

[@thndr_5468]

Sound like you have trouble breathing