What is your go to conductive paint to revive remote controllers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 10:06:33 am
content: What is your go to conductive paint to revive remote controllers?How about old console controllers which get smashed all time as well? (clearly when cleaning with ethoanol/IPA is not sufficient anymore).(a releated thread isthis) but while the theory that oil penetrates the membrane and isolates the contacts may be true for remotes, it surely is not for genesis controllers, which are have abs buttons over the membrane.

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 10:13:50 am
content: Well, I've never used conductive paint, but I wanted to let you know that you can get new conductive pads, to replace the old ones.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254871615598?hash=item3b5788386e:g:OJMAAOSwOZJgLd8z

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 10:19:25 am
content: Thank you, I saw these, I think they are a good solution for remote controllers, in line with aluminum tape.I am doubtful for game pads though (my target is genesis controllers). I feel they might change the travel of the buttons. How thick are they?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 10:55:20 am
content: Replacement of the conductive pad is the best option but you often need to carefully cut away the old pad and glue the new pad in its place. Not a 5 minute job. Where available, I fit a complete new membrane assembly. The carbon impregnated contact pads have an operation life limit that is not easily extended by cleaning or surface coatings.Fraser

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 10:58:57 am
content: Well the listing says they are around 0.5mm, so I don't know how that would affect the operation of it.I had a look for replacement pads for the genesis, lots of controllers you can usually find replacement rubber pads as a whole kit, but the genesis ones are notably absent. I did see game gear ones, and saturn controller ones, but i'm not sure if these would be the same size and fit as replacements for the d-pad.https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=conductive+rubber+pads+sega&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=conductive+rubber+pads+genesis&_osacat=0&LH_PrefLoc=2EDIT - I was also seeing stuff saying the pads get oily - it might be worth trying to clean the old pads with washing up liquid and water, then let them dry, and try them. IPA is good at cleaning electronics like PCBs n stuff, but for oils, you might gain better results with plain old soapy water. It may be worth a try?

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2022, 11:43:03 pm
content: I'll have a try with soapy water.Nice to see someone here searching for the same stuff I do!Indeed I found game gear and saturn (nintendo stuff has way better coverage, but I am a SEGA fanboy:D) replacements but never stumbled upon genesis/megadrive ones.I am also not sure whether ethanol is actually beneficial on genesis pads. The cotton buds get black, I am worried undiluted ethanol actually removes the carbon.

author: chinoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2022, 11:02:26 am
content: I tried to make a paste out of graphite powder from pencil lead and glue. It didn't work. Landed up using an aluminum foil glued.This was on my Fluke portable scope key pad.

author: zzattack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2022, 11:38:23 am
content: Gluing on a piece of cut out aluminum foil does the trick

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2022, 11:52:45 am
content: You'd be surprised, but most of the time all of those conductive pad replacements are a total waste of effort and prone to subpar results. Usually all you need to do is washing rubber membrane with dishwashing liquid and toothbrush to remove all of the grease and removing a very thin surface layer of conductive rubber with a fine sandpaper on bad buttons. You can check resistance with multimeter until it becomes similar to good buttons.

author: lwatts666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2022, 11:55:10 am
content: I have made a conductive paint that has served me well on a number of occasions.It consists of:2grams Fine Powdered Graphite (from locksmith or lock section of a hardware store)1.5grams 'Roof and Gutter' Silicone Sealant (Neutral cure (non acidic) 100% Silicone Translucent Sealant).6.5grams Mineral Turps (White Spirits)Mix very thoroughly. Mixture should flow and self level. Add additional mineral turps if necessary.Note that the graphite to silicone ratio is critical. Too much graphite and the paint is not durable, and too little graphite and the particles don't touch and hence don't conduct.Thoroughly clean and scuff the old pad with a fine abrasive to aid adhesion. Paint pads using a toothpick or small artists brush. Allow to cure for at least 24 hours before reassembly.Once mixed, the paint starts to cure. I have not been successful in storing it for more than a day or two.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2022, 12:21:47 pm
content: Kontakt Chemie GRAPHIT 33. When cleaning the conductive pads doesn't help I spray a bit of GRAPHIT 33 in a cup, take a small brush and repaint the bad pads.