General Interior Panels - slowly degrading...

[onfire_82]

So another day and another problem...

I've noticed that some of my interior panels are starting to lose the textured feel, and instead are now starting to develop some sticky feel to them.

It's started with the side of the panel covering the internal fuse box.. then its now to the side of the radio panel, and now the handbrake handle isn't feeling normal either...

So does this mean I have to replace all the panels or is there something I can use on the panels to stop the "rot"

Does anyone know why this could be happening?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Clivvy]

ummm....do you mean that everything is just dirty? the cold weather can cause some unusual behaviour in interior materials - all I can suggest to begin with is a real good clean with some quality interior cleaner - something that will revitalise the various plastics/materials.

 

[onfire_82]

Clivvy,

No its not dirty as such. I think fiat have applied some textured finish to the interior panels so it doesn't just look so "plasticy". If you touch the panels there's a textured feel to them and its this texturing that seems to be coming off. It basically leaves a black residue on my hands if i rub it..

If i try cleaning it with a sponge for example this just seems to rub off the texturing and leaves me with a flat surface... I'm wondering whether using something like meths/ white spirit is the next option.

Completely lost as to what it could be..

 

[Revolty]

Mine's the same. Sticky feeling of paint that's not completely dry. I'm thinking of painting mine with this spray you use under the car hence it gets a grainy texture much like it should be. I think it's cold weather that does it.

 

[Clivvy]

Clivvy,

No its not dirty as such. I think fiat have applied some textured finish to the interior panels so it doesn't just look so "plasticy". If you touch the panels there's a textured feel to them and its this texturing that seems to be coming off. It basically leaves a black residue on my hands if i rub it..

If i try cleaning it with a sponge for example this just seems to rub off the texturing and leaves me with a flat surface... I'm wondering whether using something like meths/ white spirit is the next option.

Completely lost as to what it could be..

oh I see!!


sorry im not sure then, tricky one!!

 

[Davren]

Never seen this on the interior panels in my Stilo, they are just bare plastic.

Most of the switches have a thin rubber coating on them that gets dirty. When I bought the car I tried cleaning them with several different cleaning products but nothing worked. I bought new switch panels but they went the same after a couple of years.

In a previous post, someone cleaned the switch tops with boiling water. Maybe worth trying on the interior panels. :idea:
.

 

[onfire_82]

Davren,

The intertior panels have some sort of texture though, it's not just a smooth plastic feel if that makes sense...

 

[Davren]

Davren,

The intertior panels have some sort of texture though, it's not just a smooth plastic feel if that makes sense...

Yes.. I realise it's a textured surface, but that's just moulded into the surface of the plactic panels during the manufacturing process. There's no additional surface coating. Not on my 2003 Stilo anyway. Perhaps it was different for earlier or later cars.
.

 

[onfire_82]

Davren,

Yes I agree, but the moulding/textured effect isn't very deep so basically what I'm finding is that if I try to clean the panels to remove the sticky feeling it basically rubs the moulded texture away.. If I push my finger into the panel it will capture my finger print...and I'm not sure what's causing the panel to degrade in the 1st place

 

[Davren]

If your panels are the same as mine, I can't see how you could rub the texture away unless you're using sandpaper.

Mine get a bit sticky, but that's because I smoke in the car. I clean them with a stiff nail brush and kitchen cleaner spray. Never rubbed the textured moulding off though.
.

 

[jim cooper]

The sort of moulding used is called "slush moulding"; an attempt to give a plastic surface a bit more of a quality feel and look. On the Stilo it's quite successful appearance wise but I have noticed it has a slightly sticky feel to it, although nothing like described above. Mine is a 2006 car.

 

[onfire_82]

Davren - No sandpaper just elbow grease... perhaps a little too much then.

I'll have a look at the worst panels and try and take some photos before and after. At worst i'll replace them (there's enough of the stilo's in scrappys now to do it)... alternatively there's always carbon fibre wrap.:idea:

 

[gadge]

I know what you mean, when I bought mine the door handle part was very "tacky" and I put it down to years of plastics dash shine which had built up and reacted with the soft plastic underneath so I washed the whole interior which general household lemon cleaner and it did the job wonderfully it's been fine ever since

 

[Peat]

An old thread I know but my 2002 JTD has an extremely sticky panel to the left of the drivers knee - black marks on trousers if I rub it - and even worse on the glove box door!
Have tried Mr Muscle with little or no effect so would like to know what the brand of cleaner was used by Gadge.

 

[FSJay]

I have this problem also, I've used so many agents and nothing works. Hot soapy water, goo gone, white spirit, car polish, scotch bright with fairy liquid, it just seems to "move" the cover/plastic and release more in its wake. I only noticed mine once a malting dog was in my car, no the fur is stuck!!

 

[Peat]

Re: Interior Panels - ...Gooey..


Searching through past posts on this subject it seems that the best removal methods are boiling water, can't see how you can apply without stripping out the panels,
OR
Methylated spirit which I favour. I will try and buy some and report back!

BUT I have to change the front pads and discs first so don't hold your breath!

 

[Stormwatch]

Any oven cleaning spray will do. Just remove the sticky panels from the car, spray them with the oven spray and leave the stuff on for 10 minutes. Wash the sludge off with water and they will be just like new.