Sticky Knobs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 116
From: Wilmington, NC
Sticky *****
I have a 72 Coupe, all original, and the radio ***** and **** on the light switch have become sticky. I had the exact same problem on an older Mercedes I had, and never was able to get them cleaned. Has anyone else had this problem? Before I start experimenting I thought I would check on the forum. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 935
Likes: 433
From: Dutchess county New York
I have a 72 Coupe, all original, and the radio ***** and **** on the light switch have become sticky. I had the exact same problem on an older Mercedes I had, and never was able to get them cleaned. Has anyone else had this problem? Before I start experimenting I thought I would check on the forum. Thanks.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,034
Likes: 4,177
From: US-PNW
I don't recall what I used on my sticky '72 steering wheel (maybe denatured alcohol), but had to do it a couple few times with day or so intervals before it became non-sticky. Been a couple years now and it's still good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,431
Likes: 2,156
From: Loveland
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
If you think it's the plastic going south, I got mine all looking new and shiney. I diped them in laquer thinner after they were clean.
At first I thought they were still wet, but NO, they were new again.
Dom
At first I thought they were still wet, but NO, they were new again.
Dom
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1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,034
Likes: 4,177
From: US-PNW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Works great, BUT I guess you need to know what your doing. Just a QUICK dip (in & out) and the thinner re-arranges the surface to a complete shine. BUT, I can keep that secret as I have done many with 100% beauty.
Dom
Dom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
I may add that I was going to put black urathane on my A/C ducts and sprayed them with laquer thinner to get a good bond and didn't have to paint them as they came out great and looking new to this day.
Dom
Dom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 1,807
From: Apple Valley, MN
There are two basic reasons they become sticky:
Exposure to moisture causes a chemical reaction (hydrolyzing) that breaks the polymer down and
Exposure to heat which cause the plasticizers and lubricants used in the original formulation of the polymer to rise to the surface.
Both are irreversible. No amount of “cleaning”, irrespective of the cleaning medium, will stop either process. As others have posted, coating them is the only practical solution (unless, of course, you can replace them with new).
Exposure to moisture causes a chemical reaction (hydrolyzing) that breaks the polymer down and
Exposure to heat which cause the plasticizers and lubricants used in the original formulation of the polymer to rise to the surface.
Both are irreversible. No amount of “cleaning”, irrespective of the cleaning medium, will stop either process. As others have posted, coating them is the only practical solution (unless, of course, you can replace them with new).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 555
From: Manchester
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St. Jude Donor '13
This topic came up at a car show at weekend when a mate asked one of the detailers on site to check out his C7 steering wheel that had become sticky. He said he was seeing this a lot recently and put it down to people using hand sanitiser due to Covid and advised to not touch any surface in the car until your hands were completely dry..