Turbografx/DUO collecting questions

[ifkz]

I have some basic questions for the group:

1.  I have noticed a lot of my original TG-16 sleeves are developing a bit of a stickiness to them.  I think after almost 25 years, the material is starting to biodegrade and break down.  Long term, what would be a good replacement for the material?  Does the community have a good link to a large multi-pack from a trusted reseller?

2.  Sparky case labels - What is a good method to remove the old labels from donor cases?  Is it a combination like a hairdryer to soften the glue and cleanup with Goof-Off?  Is there a generally accepted condition to start replacing a label?  Are these usually sold in a pack of all US & CD releases?  Is there a good discussion on when and when not to replace the original spine label?

3.  Sparky instruction manuals - are these also a product?  Perhaps it is a reproduction manual from the freely available PDFs above?  I have a few later TTI games that I doubt I will find manuals for at anywhere near a decent price, so this sounds interesting.

[MrFulci]

There is a seller who has hu-card sleeves. I bought 25 off of him a few years ago, though I did not need them, just to have them and checkout the quality, they're great - http://www.seymoronion.com/Custom_Game_Cases/TG16_Chip.html


I think the stickiness you mention, is due to how that plastic was stored. It could have been in a hot, humid area, or it could have come into contact with something that began breaking down the plastic.

I have seen hu-card sleeves with issues similar to what you mention, but not many, and all of mine are currently OK, almost as pliable as I always recall them being.

[ifkz]

Here is another related Q:  Is there a product I use to clean/protect the original Hucard sleeves to extend their life?  Maybe a leather cleaner type product but for these sleeves?  Rubbing alcohol?  "PCENGINEFX Forum Sleeve Cleaner^TM"

[MrFulci]

Here is another related Q:  Is there a product I use to clean/protect the original Hucard sleeves to extend their life?  Maybe a leather cleaner type product but for these sleeves?  Rubbing alcohol?  "PCENGINEFX Forum Sleeve Cleaner^TM"

Rubbing alcohol would probably break them down further if left on he plastic for too long. You could try, but I would not leave it on there too long. then, rinse with water.

If these sleeves really are that sticky, gooey, messy, don't get too involved spending your time cleaning them. Try it, if it doesn't work, buy replacements. The ones from Seymour Onion look and feel the same as the older ones.

[esteban]

I never tried removing an old label from a case, but they are pretty dry and brittle...soak the sucker in water with a little detergent.

[HailingTheThings]

Seriously buy the new repro sleeves, they're great.

As for getting old labels off cases, goo gone or whatever knock stuff + soap and hot water does the trick.

I usually take a cotton ball, dab it in goo gone and wipe down the label, let it sit for about 2-3 min. Peel off. Dab some goo gone on the area again, let it sit a few more min. Then soak it in warm/hot water. Finally scrub the remaining residue off with a cloth. I finish off with drying the case for what seems like a thousand hours bc ocd oops lol.

Hope this helps at least somewhat.

[Necromancer]

1.  Onion's sleeves are the way to go.

2a.  Try cleaning off labels with soap and water or rubbing alcohol first.  If something more aggressive is needed (like goof off), test it on a small area first; some solvents will etch the plastic, especially the clear acrylic front half, so be careful.

2b.  When do you replace worn labels?  Whenever the f*ck you want.  If the label is bad enough to bother you, then replace it and don't worry about diminished collector's value.

2c.  Sparky sells the labels in various pack sizes, from caseless games only to all hueys to complete set.  Thanks for bothering to search.

3.  Sparky's inserts are not full manuals.  Again, thanks for searching.

[jelloslug]

I use the orange goof off to remove sticker residue followed up by rubbing alcohol to clean off the goof off.

Just about all of the manuals have been scanned and uploaded to TG-16.com.  You can use those scans to make your own manuals.

[ifkz]

Thanks for the information folks.  Sorry my search-fu was not up to snuff, I'll try to work on that; I do appreciate the links.

Time to work on my post count to get to 200!  Maybe by then I will have some of those amazing rarities that need them.  The manual inserts look to be of fantastic quality, I hope they get expanded to some of the easier to find later releases...anything that sold with a plastic tray would be ideal (all of these type of releases I own were purchased loose).

[Bernie]

If you want some of Onion's repro sleeves, let me know.  I have some extra boxes.

[xelement5x]

I use lighter fluid to remove stickers or anything of the like.  It's always worked great for me, and it evaporates fast and never leaves residue on cardboard or anything else.

[ifkz]

Thanks Bernie, I'll send you a PM.

Lighter fluid, one of my favorites too!  I guess it will not discolor the gray plastic trays, great!

[vestcoat]

Seymor's sleeves are good replacements for the pre-1991 smooth sleeves. There is no replacement for the later textured sleeves.

Beat-up original labels are cool. Sparky's labels are for games that didn't have cases and people who can't be bothered to track down complete copies with cases. Sparky's stickers are close, but they don't look like the real thing. Unless you have a case that's been chewed by a dog, leave them alone. Don't trade vintage, loved, Turbochip stickers for the glossy uniformity of facsimiles.

[esteban]

Seymor's sleeves are good replacements for the pre-1991 smooth sleeves. There is no replacement for the later textured sleeves.

Beat-up original labels are cool. Sparky's labels are for games that didn't have cases and people who can't be bothered to track down complete copies with cases. Sparky's stickers are close, but they don't look like the real thing. Unless you have a case that's been chewed by a dog, leave them alone. Don't trade vintage, loved, Turbochip stickers for the glossy uniformity of facsimiles.

Agreed on all points. 

[ifkz]

Beat-up original labels are cool. Sparky's labels are for games that didn't have cases and people who can't be bothered to track down complete copies with cases. Sparky's stickers are close, but they don't look like the real thing. Unless you have a case that's been chewed by a dog, leave them alone. Don't trade vintage, loved, Turbochip stickers for the glossy uniformity of facsimiles.

The only Sparky stickers and manual inserts I could use are the TTI (?) era plastic tray games.  Maybe one day the products will be combined for a special package deal, I think it would help a lot of members who can only find loose versions. I do feel a bit of guilt for the donor Keith Courage and Baseball cases that would be used.

In the arcade game community, replacing a worn out control panel overlay is something everyone does to help the look of their cab; perhaps that is a good analogy here.