Sticky plastic residue remover

[blackolive (Ste)]

Got the big binoculars down from the attic. The hard plastic parts surfaces have deteriorated and gone very sticky, leaving a black residue on my hands to the point where they ate unuseable. Is there a good solvent for removing it back to good plastic ?

 

[addjunkie]

Lighterfuel is good for removing* sticky residue, but not sure it wont deteriorate the rubber further

 

[Nick67GT]

Sounds like the plasticiser in the plastic is leaching out. It’s what is added to plastics to make them flexible / pliable and less prone to cracking / brittleness.

The condition comes with age and whilst in most cases, not a problem, it’s difficult if not impossible to cure. Often seen in old wiring when the pvc sheathing is breaking up and exudes a ’goo’ like substance.

All you can do wipe it down regularly - baby wipes are very good at dealing with this problem!

 

[Barking Mat]

From reading the thread title, without reading details, I was thinking acetone.

Dunno, does the manufacturer have replacement rubbers, is my thoughts ?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Try IPA.

 

[Bullet2012]

Bad news I am afraid, nothing will stop this. Please package these carefully and send direct to me for safe disposal.

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

Its the hard plastic bits that have gone gooey. The rubbers have a white dusty patina that will probably remove with a baby wipe or similar

 

[Hotstuff]

From reading the thread title, without reading details, I was thinking acetone.

Dunno, does the manufacturer have replacement rubbers, is my thoughts ?

I wouldn’t use neat acetone on plastic or rubber.

70% IPA might be more forgiving.

 

[angellonewolf]

Try IPA.

beer that seams a waste better drown your sorrows at a loss than put it on the rubber

 

[GRW]

I know WD40 is good for removing adhesive after removing stickers.
It's probably pretty safe to try, and might help?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I wouldn’t use neat acetone on plastic or rubber.

Correct, it'll melt/soften them.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've had similar with some pliers handles, I found talcum powder dried/stabilised them, just doesn't look very good.

 

[Ton-up]

I did exactly this on a pair of bins about 6 weeks ago and as others have said, use IPA.

 

[Tom O]

I’d only worry about it if it left rings around the eyes after looking through them.

 

[Screwdriver]

The acid from handling rots the plastic. It cannot be recovered. If you can’t remove it all, the best bet is to use talcum powder. That stops it being sticky even with handling. Needs re-powdering every so often but not too much of a chore. I have to do my Kindle every couple of months.

 

[MetalMonkey]

If it is one of those "soft touch" plastics, which have a matt, slightly rubberised soft texture - these are very common to degrade over time and go sticky.
You can salvage the item by cleaning the residue off (I've used white spirit and IPA in the past, with a lot of scrubbing) - what you will be left with is just the base shiny plastic underneath.
Its a lot harder if the coating hasn't totally degraded, as it will continue to stay sticky until it has all been removed.

I know they do it to add a "premium" feel, but I really wish they wouldn't.
I'd rather have a basic chunky textured plastic that is robust and easy to keep clean.

 

[Hotstuff]

If it is one of those "soft touch" plastics, which have a matt, slightly rubberised soft texture - these are very common to degrade over time and go sticky.
You can salvage the item by cleaning the residue off (I've used white spirit and IPA in the past, with a lot of scrubbing) - what you will be left with is just the base shiny plastic underneath.
Its a lot harder if the coating hasn't totally degraded, as it will continue to stay sticky until it has all been removed.

I know they do it to add a "premium" feel, but I really wish they wouldn't.
I'd rather have a basic chunky textured plastic that is robust and easy to keep clean.

I totally agree. My old Nikon D70s camera and centre console on my E46 M3 are coated with a rubberised tactile coating but it degrades into a horrible sticky mess.

I’ve seen people on forums and YouTube that a wipe over with IPA is the solution but all it does is clean off the surface of a deteriorating coating so relief is only temporary.

I suspect that the only permanent solution is to remove the rubber coating completely.

Covers were available for some cameras to mitigate the sticky problem. Perhaps similar are available for the OPs binoculars.

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

Ipa is doing it for now

 

[marlinspike]

This is what happened to the interior passenger door handle of my 3 series. It's a common problem on these cars but nobody seemed to have a solution. In the end I got a scalpel and cut and scraped off all the soft sticky bits and cleaned off any residue. I don't think there's any solution other than removing it or just keeping in top of the residue like you are now.

The used 3 series handles are cheap enough on ebay but it involves removing rivets and wasn't worth the hassle on a car of that age and value.