Sticky rubber parts

[big gear head]

I've got a rubber horn pad from a SS steering wheel that has got sticky over time. I've also had a few rubber steering wheels that got sticky. Is there anything that can be done about this?

[Lynn]

A good car wax. I use Zymol.

I had a CL600 with incredibly gummy buttons on the horn shroud. Replacement would have been very expensive.

Rub it in on a small area with just your finger. As the gum or sticky residue starts to dissolve, take it off with a soft cloth. You may have to go at it two or three times before it comes completely clean.

[big gear head]

Thanks, I'l give that a try. I was thinking that something like acetone might work, but was afraid to try it.

[marxjunk]

i use crest tooth paste..very gentle, what ever is in it works well..just dob some on work in with your hands, and rinse..with come out like new..and minty fresh...its incredible to use to buff glass and plastic too..incredible amount of uses..


some old dude in the 80 hustled steering wheels, said it was the best thing he ever used, i tried it, and agree totally..

[ruralrte66]

I have the same problem , was wondering what to try.

Thanks Gregg

[firstgenaddict]

I just removed the gum off a horn button for a 4 bar Z28 steering wheel using KABOOM foaming cleaner AND a toothbrush.
Denatured alcohol also will not harm vinyl or rubber... it is used for cleaning rubber and vinyl in the printing industry. I use it to remove all kinds of sticky and tacky gunk.

[big gear head]

After cleaning, does this last or is this something that has to be done often?

[firstgenaddict]

It will last for quite some time...
FWIW what is happening is the plasticizers (the additives which make it flexible) are leeching out of the porus material.

Here is a 69 DASH PAD which was so sticky that it would pull lint from a cloth...
Cleaned with denatured alcohol...

[fiveforty]

I use fast orange hand cleaner on cushion rim steering wheels, works excellent.

[mockingbird812]

Ask Eddie (enio45) what he uses for those Ferrari he keeps company with. Even they're prone to stickiness!