Hardware Help removing dust at the edges?

[Lucifer666]

I really didn't know under which section I should have placed this thread.

Anyway I have a 3DS in mint condition except for the presence of dust at the edges and corners of the screen, over and under the Select/Home/Start buttons, and sometimes around the ABXY buttons.

My main issue is of course with the bottom screen, seeing as it's sort of "pushed in" to the 3DS, so I can't just slide/wipe away the dust.

I want my 3DS to look absolutely brand new, like it only just got out of the box.

I tried getting a microfiber cloth (glasses) thinking it would help if I rubbed the edges, but it only made it worse. There are a lot of lints and dust everywhere.

I need to get it 100% clean to apply screen protectors, because dust at the edges after applying protectors is gonna even worse of a bitch to clean.

So, any ideas? Thanks guys.

 

[Fudge]

I have this issue on my top screen. around the edges it almost looks like its stained.

 

[Janthran]

I would try to help, but you're the devil.

Meh, try a vacuum cleaner.

 

[Lucifer666]

I would try to help, but you're the devil.

Meh, try a vacuum cleaner.

I hope you're not seriously bothered by my username.

Well I haven't got any of the little ones, and plus I'm pretty sure a weak suction force won't pull out those damned lints. It's almost like they've implemented freaking roots in the damn edges.
--

I'm just considering using compressed air. I'll see how that works out when I eventually get my hands on them but until then, anyone else? I'm trying to get this done ASAP.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

You might want to try a Q-tip and a solution of 50% distilled water/50% rubbing alcohol. Works like a charm for me.

 

[dgwillia]

Really thin piece of paper or plastic or something maybe? Or a brand new toothbrush?

I know i have used a toothbrush before to get stuck debris from under the edges of the touch screen (Which was screwing with the sensitivity).

 

[Kikirini]

I'm also curious about this. ._.

 

[DragorianSword]

You might want to try a Q-tip and a solution of 50% distilled water/50% rubbing alcohol. Works like a charm for me.

Yeah but with that you can't get the dust from under the edges, believe me I know.
You could try to remove it with a toothpick.
Just be careful not to damage the screen.

 

[Hanafuda]

Compressed air? Maybe try getting that corner/crease dust a little moist first (it'll happen when you're wiping the rest of the screen with a damp cloth), and then blast away with the compressed air.

Might not work at all, but then again maybe it will.

only other idea I've got, which would avoid using a toothpick which I think is a bad idea, would be to take a box cutter to an old DS stylus and sharpen the point.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

You might want to try a Q-tip and a solution of 50% distilled water/50% rubbing alcohol. Works like a charm for me.

Yeah but with that you can't get the dust from under the edges, believe me I know.
You could try to remove it with a toothpick.
Just be careful not to damage the screen.

Ah, under the edges, where all the grime and gunk go. Yeah, you might want to try a toothpick, maybe a sewing needle if you're careful and brave.

 

[Lucifer666]

Believe it or not, TwinRetro's first suggestion (q-tip in alcohol and water) worked pretty well and pulled the dust right out. I managed to apply a little pressure on the q-tip and slid it inwards to the centre of the screen.
That's where I've grouped up all the dust and lint.
Now I need to get rid of that without getting them stuck in the edges again. I tried using a hair dryer (cold) on max power, and just about everything in the room flew away except for the dust on my screen. Hell.

I'm thinking of getting some strips of very weak tape that won't leave any residue/adhesive behind, to apply it over the dust then pull it off. I don't know.
I tried using blue tack, but it leaves this icky layer behind.

 

[chris888222]

I tried compressed air for my old DSi LL last time and it didn't work.

Heck it doesn't remove dust out of my iPhone charger port too.

Maybe I'll try twin's method sometime.

 

[xxteargodxx]

Try a piece of scotch tape, can cut the tape to make it thinner if necessary pretty sure that will catch dust & stuff.

 

[Hanafuda]

Heck it doesn't remove dust out of my iPhone charger port too.

For that job, use "contact cleaner" - sold at Radio Shack and other electronics supply retailers. Contact cleaner works wonders on dirtied-up USB ports, charger ports, and electrical switches. This is the stuff I use to 'repair' Nintendo handheld shoulder buttons (spray contact cleaner on the microswitch plunger button and work the switch, and it works again) and it saved my old GBA flashcart - an EFA Linker - from the trash bin. What I thought was a broken cart turned out to be a dirty mini-usb connection.

 

[Eerpow]

Believe it or not, TwinRetro's first suggestion (q-tip in alcohol and water) worked pretty well and pulled the dust right out. I managed to apply a little pressure on the q-tip and slid it inwards to the centre of the screen.
That's where I've grouped up all the dust and lint.
Now I need to get rid of that without getting them stuck in the edges again. I tried using a hair dryer (cold) on max power, and just about everything in the room flew away except for the dust on my screen. Hell.

I'm thinking of getting some strips of very weak tape that won't leave any residue/adhesive behind, to apply it over the dust then pull it off. I don't know.
I tried using blue tack, but it leaves this icky layer behind.

Brand new "towel" like microfiber cloths are amazing when cleaning the 3DS screens. I buy them once every two months or so since my system gets lots of everyday use.

The way I do it is that I have some boiled clean water prepared that I use to slightly dampen the cloth with, I gently wipe the top screen and it gets rid of everything, I usually do it under a bright lamp to make sure I leave them completely dust free.

With the top screen dust sometimes gets stuck around the edges, the easiest way I found to get rid of dust and grime was taking a toothpick, crushing the tip creating sort of a thin "brush" with it and then dampen the tip with water, that way the wood fibers are thin and soft so they won't damage your system.

 

[Lucifer666]

Try a piece of scotch tape, can cut the tape to make it thinner if necessary pretty sure that will catch dust & stuff.

I tried using a tiny piece of scotch tape before. There was a layer of glue right on the edges of my screen and it took ages to get rid of flawlessly, so that's a con. But it did remove the dust as you said it would.

Brand new "towel" like microfiber cloths are amazing when cleaning the 3DS screens. I buy them once every two months or so since my system gets lots of everyday use.

The way I do it is that I have some boiled clean water prepared that I use to slightly dampen the cloth with, I gently wipe the top screen and it gets rid of everything, I usually do it under a bright lamp to make sure I leave them completely dust free.

With the top screen dust sometimes gets stuck around the edges, the easiest way I found to get rid of dust and grime was taking a toothpick, crushing the tip creating sort of a thin "brush" with it and then dampen the tip with water, that way the wood fibers are thin and soft so they won't damage your system.

It's a little tough keeping a microfiber cloth dust-free after repetitive use, so I'm ordering a stack of like 30 cloths. Should last quite a while.
And I'll definitely try your damp toothpick method. Thanks buddy!