Restoring Atari paddles

[NeXT]

I have two sets of the Atari paddles for my 2600 but both suffer from twitching which I would assume is because they are worn out or dirty. I would tear them open and spray on a little contact cleaner or alcohol but would that cut it? Super Breakout is hard to play right now. :/

 

[NathanAllan]

I used TV tuner cleaner on mine and they work a LOT better. Stay away from alcohol, they dry out parts quicker. The tuner goop has a lubricant in it to help them last longer. Kind of pricey per can at radio smack, but it lasts a long time. I have had the same can for over a year.

 

[NeXT]

Well if I get a can of the stuff (and I doubt The Source will have a can now) I assume it will last forever. I'll go see what the local electrical hobby shop has.

 

[ahm]

Twitchy paddles are just nature's way of saying you're not playing enough.

 

[NeXT]

Oh dear, how true.
I should go play Donkey Kong or Yars Revenge.

 

[Tinkerer]

Removing all the grease from the pots works for me.

 

[zane]

Check for cracks if you open them up, very common.

 

[billdeg]

there was a kit you could buy to repair these, I see it on Ebay. It takes some trial and error to restore an Atari paddle and then put it back together correctly.