Tacky/Sticky dash switches - Mercedes

[gigondaz]

In many Mercedes E-Class and C Class, where the headlight switch is often
a large knob next to the steering, the plastic panel surround this knob often becomes tacky/sticky, and in extreme cases, you can see lint and dust stuck to the plastic surface. Wiping with a dry cloth causes even more lint to stick to the surface.

This tackiness/stickiness might also be present on certain dashboard knobs, switches and their surrounding panels. Most noticed on Continental cars, but I hvnt seen this problem on Japanese cars.

No. The dashboard has never been re-painted before, and these are often less than 3yrs old cars in good condition, but marred by the sticky/tacky problem.

Have anyone encountered this before?
Someone told me to apply turpentine or kerosene on the probematic area, and gently scrape off the layer of sticky stuff. Makes sense to you guys?

Or does anyone here have a more workable method?

[brwill2005]

Tacky and sticky with dirt? Sometimes plastic can have a rubberized coating, that obviously you would not want to remove. If it is indeed just dirt, a MF and some dilluted APC should work. I would not let turpentine or kerosene anywhere near a car I was detailing.

[Jakerooni]

Very common issue on alot of different cars. Most of the time a MF towel dampened with some APC will get it off good. Other times you might have to find an emulsifier to get it off. And then if it's really old and damaged replacement is the only viable option. Pics would really help.

[gigondaz]

Thanks, guys.
I tried your methods, and few others, and came across this:

1. Moisten the problem section with a cloth dampened with silicone/grease remover.

2. Use finger nail and gently scrape away the tacky, gummy crap. It's sticks on your finger tips.

3. use a soft cloth (that you'll need to discard afterwards), and wipe away all the sticky residue.

4. Rub the area gently but briskly with a soft mf dampened with more silicone/grease remover. Repeat this until all traces of tackiness is gone.

Lots of hardwork but very rewarding. Turns out that most Benzes and certain Continental cars in hot humid climates always have this problem.

I had superb results on an S-class and the owner was so happy this morning after the full ext and interior detail yeaterday. He looked at the interior and it was brand new, with the tacky crappy look on the steering buttons and light switch knob totally gone. Gave a good tip as well, and imediately went home to deliver his Lexus RX to me for detailing as well, and I'm home early from shop today!!!