Sticky Buttons

[Joshua]

Hi,

 

As the description says, someone spilt sticky drink on radio / ac controls from a drink container whilst it was in one of the drinks holders (what a stupid place to put them...).

 

Anyway, all works ok, but buttons are very sticky, and some don't release after a brief press.

 

Anyone have any suggestions for cleaning out the buttons?

 

Thanks,

Josh

[adrianf.]

When i bought my car last year a couple of the climate buttons were sticky just like yours.

What i did was to give it just a tiny squirt of WD40 on the offending buttons, wipe over with a rag and they have been fine ever since

[gregers]

you could always use a cotton bud dipped in alcohol and gently clean everything

[adrianf.]

Cant see how a can of Fosters is going to help :16: .

Only prob with a cotton bud is getting in between the switches as thats where mine were sticking.

[El Dingo]

An idea:

 

1. Remove unit from dash (don't forget the radio code).

2. Hold with buttons facing down.

3. Spray with contact cleaner. http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...40&doy=19m2

4. Allow to dry.

5. Refit and enter code.

 

Edit!!! BTW, check that contact cleaner doesn't remove the printing on the buttons first... :16:

Edited February 19, 2007 by El Dingo

[Scorpiorefugee]

Forget contact cleanes and all fancy stuff. What you need is water and plenty of it. Try a soft brush from the front first if you like but, if you've already done the business with the WD derivatives, you may have to get more involved.

 

Remove the radio from the power and open out as much as you can and use a soft pait brush with water and a little, and I do mean a little, fairy liquid, Rinse and allow to dry.

 

Repeat with the Air con unit as far as possible.

 

If it has got inside, you may have to go there to. Sticky drinks contain acid and that can dissolve copper print and contacts. It may work now, but in a few weeks........

 

I've had situations where a sticky drink has dissolved all of the legs off an i.c. and found it floating around in the bottom.

 

You do have to ask "which imbecile is responsible fot the layout?"

 

Hope you get it sorted.

 

Ron

[jkspoff]

The buttons just pull off, and clean around them with a wipe of some type, quick and easy job.

[El Dingo]

If it has got inside, you may have to go there to. Sticky drinks contain acid and that can dissolve copper print and contacts. It may work now, but in a few weeks........

 

... :lol: Hence the contact cleaner, Ron.

 

:rolleyes:

[Joshua]

The buttons just pull off, and clean around them with a wipe of some type, quick and easy job.

 

Can you tell me how the a/c buttons pull off? I have removed the facia around the a/c unit, and underneath there are 2 x torx screws in each corner. I guess that the outer (larger) ones detach the whole unit, but the inner (smaller) ones I think just detach the front housing.

 

I don't have a torx bit that small - smallest I have is T10 - does anyone know what size the smaller inner ones are?

 

Thanks,

Josh

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Eldingo.

 

Sorry mate, the drinks are water based and contact cleaner is spirit based. Water is the only way to be sure. I've done it hundreds of times in the past.

 

Ron.

[El Dingo]

Hi Eldingo.

 

Sorry mate, the drinks are water based and contact cleaner is spirit based. Water is the only way to be sure. I've done it hundreds of times in the past.

 

Ron.

 

OK. :lol:

[Scorpiorefugee]

The only trouble with water is tha :D t you need plenty of it and you do need to dry/let it dry well or you can get Electolysis action and all of the copper from the positive connections migrates to the negative ones (or vice versa - can't remember now and can't be bothered to work it out) and then you get just a few pins of each chip disappearing. :lol: :lol: :D :D :D

 

On a similar subject, I've bought SH cars in the past where some enthusiastic valeting dep't has doused all of the plastic with loads of chemical 'cleaners' leaving an unpleasant mess. I always start by washing the whole lot down with white spirit and finishing off with loads of soapy water. Leaves it looking like new without polish and the need to wash your hands when you get out.

 

I'd rather have it clean than shiny any day. :D ;) ;) :D

[El Dingo]

On a similar subject, I've bought SH cars in the past where some enthusiastic valeting dep't has doused all of the plastic with loads of chemical 'cleaners' leaving an unpleasant mess...

 

The trade calls this 'Bullsh*t'. It used to be sold under the brand name 'Armor All'

[Guest eugol]

Hi,

 

As the description says, someone spilt sticky drink on radio / ac controls from a drink container whilst it was in one of the drinks holders (what a stupid place to put them...).

 

Anyway, all works ok, but buttons are very sticky, and some don't release after a brief press.

 

Anyone have any suggestions for cleaning out the buttons?

 

Thanks,

Josh

 

 

I cleaned mine with one of the gentler kitchen cleaners on the market (ie. doesn't contain bleach), Cotton buds and for the hard to reach places a wooden cocktail stick. Needless to say put the cleaning fluid on the cotton bud or cocktail stick first then lots of patience.

 

good luck