Interior rubber degradation / stickiness

[nmlss2006]

A somewhat stupid, cosmetic issue.

 

My car doesn't get much use, obviously.

 

I just took it out from under its cover in storage for the first time since october, 2014.

 

Changed the oil, replaced the tires, etc, all well and good.

 

However, the rubber of the PCM knobs *and* of the handle of the umbrella in the passenger side doorsill seems to have gotten.. sticky.

 

I know it's a stupid issue. My concern is that other, less stupid rubber may also be similiarly affected.

 

Is this a known problem? Is there a way to solve it? Water and Cetaphil seem to work, to a point.

 

I wonder if it's a feature of the place where the cars are stored? It's a storage place about two miles down the road from where I live, but it's in the middle of the countryside...

[kbrandsma]

I'm not sure what year your Porsche is, as your Profile doesn't specify.  The PCM is very common.  Check this thread out.

 

http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/Fix_Sticky_Radio_Buttons.html

 

As far as the passenger side umbrella tray, just replace the pad.

[wizard]

I had that with the knobs on the radio. That was when the car was in the baking temperatures of the Middle East.

A sprinkling of non-perfumed talcum powder did it for me.

[nmlss2006]

Oh, I guess I should add that.

 

Mine is a 996TT, one of the very last built for the US market.

 

I suppose I can just buy a very large bag of the PCM2 knobs, but it would be a bit annoying.

 

It may not be irrelevant to point out that the ones that were on there I had replaced two years ago... and the storage unit is not climate controlled, but it's in the NE US. Temperatures do not exceed 110F, even in the hottest days in August.

[987_RDC]

Whatever is in sunscreen seems to greatly accelerate the wear. So couple that with hot car and they turn to crap. Just replace them.

[int90]

It may not be irrelevant to point out that the ones that were on there I had replaced two years ago...

 

Thanks for the info. I was going to purchase a set but it seems the "new" ones are degrading over time just sitting in the warehouse.

I soaked the mine in dishwasher detergent and the coating turned white-ish. I then scraped most of it off using my finger nails and a nylon brush. Rubbing with body lotion and/or sunscreen removed the residue and made the knobs clean/smooth/non-sticky.

[clbarrett]

I use an armor all cleaner (I didn't use the protectant towel) towelette and just rub the knobs for until they

[clbarrett]

Sorry I sent that before I was done. Anyway with the towelette it takes a little while and all the sticky just comes off. So far has only happened once. That is, it seems relatively permanent as if the coating is what the problem is and that apparently comes off