Cleaning cigarette lighter element!
 

Not a real high priority, but an interesting situation. I left the cigarette lighter sitting in the center tray while my cell phone was charging, and forgot to put it back in the dash when I was done. While getting out of his carseat, my 2 year old grandson placed his gum in the center tray - right on the element of the lighter!

Any ideas of how to clean this (or even if it is worth trying?) I don't see much value to listing the car as having the original lighter, but it is an unusual challange. So far the only idea I have come up with is sticking it in the freezer and seeing how much of it will pop off. Don't think the old WD40 trick would be a great idea at first blush. Open to any suggestions from other OCD people. ;)

I think I have one sitting around if the freeze thing doesn't work.

Goo Off, Great Stuff
 

Remove as much as possible while it is warm. Freezing may bond it harder to the electrical coil and when removed may pull the whole thing apart.

Then buy some "Goo Off" at your local store. It is an orange colored product for removing any gooey stuff, like label gum. Soak the lighter in this in a small tray. It dissolves most anything gooey! May take a couple of tries to get it all but it is great stuff, we use it in the gallery everyday for most everything you can imagine.

Great for other sticky stuff around the car as well like tar. It will dry completely after a bit and I believe not be flammable after.


trants4md
______________
85 500SEL
80 Leland TR7 Convertible
And Some American Stuff
94 Dodge Ram
93 Chev Lumina APV
79-81-83 Forzda

Thanks for all the suggestions. The freezer let the main chunk pop off, and I will hit the hardware stores today looking for some Goo Off!

If you are talking about the insert, the part that gets hot and glows, I have an extra one that I would be glad to give you.

Email me,

Haasman