IPA Is For Spot Cleaning Only

If you need more help than that, I'd recommend joining one of the many discord servers linked there and posting in the various troubleshooting channels. I do not respond to emails or DMs with troubleshooting requests.

My last test ROM is a leaked internal Nintendo test tool called "AGS Aging". This ROM can be used to verify the SoC is working properly and can be used to fine tune OEM LCDs. I cannot link it but if you search that string, you just might find a link on TCRF.

Tools I regularly use (and recommend)

Soldering Supplies

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Please do not feel obligated to contribute, what funds I make there will almost entirely be put towards junk food or cat treats or other non-youtube related bullshit I don't need since I run this channel as a hobby anyway.

[johntorn]

I watched this before bed and had nightmares about droplets of IPA being trapped in every system I’ve ever worked on. It was like a modern day Christmas Carol, not the song, but the movie with the duck who has the bad dreams. Thanks

[magicalsleeper]

You heard it here folks. Makho recommends the dry wiggle method.

[BADCFFEE]

IPA is perfectly fine, just make sure you have a dry swab and dry it back up and don't go too deep on corners. and as you said, wet the cloth, don't just spray the screen directly

[hollowneedles]

Spot cleaning a screen, sure. You explained how that CAN be bad, but tbh it sounds like you let the IPA sit way too long on the screen. Swab it on and clean it dry.

However, IPA doesn't ruin electronics. You can soak that board and all of its components in IPA and the worst thing that will happen is possibly stripping some of the silkscreen. IF you leave it soaking in there. I'm not sure your sudden fear of using IPA and a blanket statement that you can ruin your electronics with it helps anyone.

I've only been working in electronics for a few years, but one of the best lessons I learned is to not listen to everyone. Take advice, but test that advice. Breaking your shit is always the best way to learn. Never assume the word of experts is gospel.

No offense, just honest feedback. I know you're just trying to help, which is why I started watching you. You seem genuine and honest. Plus you're one of the most prolific YT I've watched lately. I can always look forward to having a video to watch. :)

[Cryptcmystc]

interesting. I've never dunked a screen in isopropyl, but we usually clean motherboards by dropping them in an ultrasonic for a few minutes submerged in 99% isopropyl. iirc, that's how Louis Rossman cleans mac motherboards, too.I don't use it on plastic parts though. they get dropped in soapy water, or peroxide if necessary. interesting to see what iso does to a screen though.

[Norrecito]

IPA is like a cursed hammer, when wielded, everything looks like a nail...especially your thumb.
I remember destroying the paint of my Mega Drive (Genesis) with IPA. Since then, I use soapy water for the plastic and alcohol-free lcd cleaner for screens. You have to take apart the console but on the plus side, these are cheaper than IPA.
I cant think of anything better than IPA when you are cleaning the PCB itself though.

[ivandosio]

This happened to me yesterday on my white tab AGS101 screen, an accidental shot of flux from a siringe and the LCD sucked the hell out of it without time for reaction.. now I have a shadowed screen.

[border]

IPA can also crack ABS plastic too, especially the translucent shells. Spiderwebbed some really nice shells with IPA.

[LucasFisherIndustries]

My gameboy micro went through the washer and dryer and somehow still works. It has spots like that in the screen now though lol

[MrBeiragua]

I ruined my ds lite screen as well. What happened to me was that the alcohol got inside the screen and got inside a thin plastic layer of the light guide of the backlight and made some bubbles between it and and the thick guide. I imagine it made the properties of refraction of the light across the guide change on the bubbles by dissolving the glue and making it not touch anymore. I removed the plastic and now the light only illuminates the lower part of the screen well. I might be able to fix it, but buying a new screen is easier.

[cidkramer]

I apply ipa with a syringe and only sparingly. When I use glass cleaner I spray the cloth.. not the screen or console :) live and learn

[moo]

I ruined a DS lite top screen in this exact fashion, though it may have been a blessing in disguise as when going to remove it the ribbon cable tore.

[cyrustakem]

So that's why my phone screen looks like crap now. I replaced it with one from another dead phone and used alcool to take out the battery, and it has dark spots

[CrossedCoder]

You can bathe most parts in IPA without issues but never get any kind of liquid between the polarisers in a screen because then you will ruin it

[Omega_]

You say it's been cleaned, but it kind of... looks like it needs another dose of IPA.
And at this point, might as well 100% saturate that screen so that it's even.

"introduce a rice flavor"
bro, did you just- -are you saying you licked it?-

[missedinformation]

Chinese Medicine doesn't work on Gameboys

[valshaped]

Some parts are alright to soak in IPA—mainly anything that can be ultrasonically cleaned

[mattfire]

I honestly dont know what I just listened to. Rhetorical of course I know exaclty what I listened to, I just dont know why you made this video. This isnt your brightest video Makho and word on the street is your losing it, but I still think highly of you.