Hi all,
I have a problem with sticky steering wheel, gear lever knob, indicator stalk and window winder handles. All these items have a sort of soft rubberised finish and become horribly sticky when damp.
I've tried all sorts of cleaning potions but nothing seems to help.
I have known this problem with a number of previous vehicles, but my present car is particularly badly effected.
Has anybody found a cure for this? Please!
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What car is it? Maybe someone with the same car also has these problems?
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The worst affected is a Honda CRX, but I also have an Accord, 2 Rover 623's and a Renault Espace which all suffer the same problem to a lesser extent.
It seems to be worst when the car has been unused for a few days. The damp air seems to react with the material to cause a sticky surface feel.
It also transfers a sticky black substance onto my hands.
It's horrible!
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Could it be a moisturiser, aftershave, soap etc etc that you have on your hands reacting with the plastics/rubbers thus why it effects a number of vehicles?
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I think you must have some substance on your hands that is disolving the rubber. I once transfered some diff oil onto a Merc gear knob via my hand and it attacked the rubber - had to buy a new one!
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Yep - I remember reading on the Focus Forums that someone used hand cream and essentially destroyed the steering wheel.
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Your replies certainly make sense as the surfaces affected are all in regular contact with the hands.
As an engineer, I regularly use fairly harsh hand cleaners, but surely if the likes of Swarfega / Manista etc caused this problem then Mechanics would know the symptoms straight away.
I can't think of anything else that would cause this reaction.
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Yep - I remember reading on the Focus Forums that someone used hand cream and essentially destroyed the steering wheel.
I'm pleased you mentioned it Adamski. I'll stop using my partner's anti-wrinkle cream ~ well, on my hands at least!
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L\'escargot.
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The ON/OFF control on my VW Gamma radio suddenly took on the constituency of a half sucked sweetie this summer.
Scrubbed it with detergent and the formerly rubbery coating has gone leaving me with a shiny thingy.
Seriously - I agree it is hand creams etc causing the problems.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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The stickiness may be caused by glyols which are used in hand creams, soaps and sunblock to thicken them.
Glycol is also used as a plasticiser in processing plastics and rubbers, so your warm, glycol-coated hands cause the outer layer of the gear knob or steering wheel to soften.
Rubbing a little talc powder into your palms might help solve the problem - or a change of sunscreen.
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