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#1
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Annoying Sticky goo....
Maybe not very "Technical" but still need some input on this.
2002 E430 with 121,000 miles. Outside of the car holding up great! Inside not so much. Whatever final coating MB put on the steering wheel and other interior surfaces seems to be turning into a sticky gooey mess. Especially on the steering wheel audio/computer control buttons and the stereo buttons. Has anyone been successful removing this stuff without going full-on MEK? Thanks.... |
#2
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Adhesive? Try acetone in an inconspicuous spot first.
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1990 190E 3.0L |
#3
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I don't think it's an adhesive. It is the deterioration of whatever coating they used on interior pieces. Even on a garage kept car, it appears as if it is melting.
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#4
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From what I've seen with various plastics, the plastic it self is deteriorating / out gassing not any sort of coating that was applied.
With regular use the failing layer rubs off / gets covered in dirt , let the car sit and it just gets sticky. I've had US domestic cars steering wheels look like someone had covered them in rubber cement after a few months of non use. I'd probably try denatured alcohol to clean or some similar colored "dirt" powder to cover the stickyness. Modern plastics have a ID stamping so if you could find what type of plastic is being affected some research could be done. |
#5
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alot of it is human oils and dirt.I find using a rag with dish soap,and scrubbing hard the wheel,and surfaces good.
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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran |
#6
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It doesn't clean off. You'll have to replace the pieces in question.
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90 300TE 4-M Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim T04B cover .60 AR Stage 3 turbine .63 AR A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control 3" Exh, AEM W/B O2 Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys, Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster. 3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start 90 300CE 104.980 Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression 197° intake cam w/20° advancer Tuned CIS ECU 4° ignition advance PCS TCM2000, built 722.6 600W networked suction fan Sportline sway bars V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff |
#7
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I've owned 5 Mercedes and never had anything like that happen. Admittedly the newest is a '97 CL600 and I live in a hot, low humidity part of the country.
Most of my neighbors have newer American made cars but nothing sticky. I don't get it? Anziani '97 CL600 56K |
#8
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I almost wonder if it's the clear epoxy finish over the wood trim
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1990 190E 3.0L |
#9
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You're probably right. Never thought of that. What could possibly cause that?
Anziani |
#10
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If he's not the original owner, maybe someone recoated the interior. Or maybe some chemical reaction to something. Seems to only be on places where there is a lot of hand traffic.
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1990 190E 3.0L |
#11
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It's actually pretty common. 1996-2002 E series. Maybe not all but many cars have this issue. Look at cars for sale on craigslist and zoom in on any pictures of the steering wheels. You'll see interior color wearing off and deterioration all around the control buttons on both sides of the wheel. I think it does have something to do with the oils in skin and the reaction it has with the material used in manufacturing.
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#12
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Another example of fine German engineering. If it doesn't move up or down or in or out, they are clueless.
Anziani |
#13
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Quote:
I have used some saddle soap very carefully to remove that, but be very careful as it may even remove the plastic embossing which illuminates the buttons that you are scrubbing.
__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model) 1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017) 2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017) |
#14
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I have found that cars used by people who apply tons and tons of moisturiser on their hands are the worst. Those folks even wear down PC keyboards.
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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model) 1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017) 2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017) |
#15
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I have had good results by cleaning the goo off using drug store rubbing alcohol (70% strength). Apply with a towel (works best with a well worn towel, not too fuzzy). Keep rubbing until you can no longer feel stickiness. This will not be a permanent fix. It will have to be re-done in about 3 months, maybe less in summertime. Do NOT attempt this using paper towels. That makes a heck of a mess.
I don't think that skin oils or moisturizers have much to do with this problem. This occurs on parts that nobody ever touches. For example, on my 2004 C class, the worst problem occurs on the little cubby hole storage compartment below the radio. That part is seldom touched, but anything stored in there like a pencil or a comb eventually starts to become stuck. That part is about a hundred bucks. I suppose I ought to just replace it.
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Palangi 2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz 2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser 2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg 2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE 0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE |
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