Ref: '98 S70, and other Volvos of that era.
Has anyone got a good fix for the control switches for windows, door locks, radio, etc. that deteriorate, become very sticky to the touch, and look like there's some sort of matte coating that's wearing off the switch. The switches are all the same dark grey color. This problem does not affect the electrical contacts or the operation of the switch; it just causes the switches to look like the dickens and be sticky when touched.
I've seen references to this throughout the forums, but no real killer end-of-game solutions. A friend with a '98 C70 has the identical problem.
If this really is widespread, then I wonder if anyone is aftermarketing replacement "covers" for the switches? I googled around a bit, but didn't find anything. Seems crazy extreme to buy an entire new switch to replace one (or 15) that is just gunky on the outside!
If someone's got a solution, I'd be very grateful!
Thank you!
Dave
Cleaning sticky residue off '98 S70 window & radio contols
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LowEnergyParticle
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JRL
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NOPE
Anything you put on will make them worse.
Time for some new (or good used) switches
Anything you put on will make them worse.
Time for some new (or good used) switches
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP
2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.
2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.
In my experiance, the sticky residue is from oils on our hands. I have removed that type of residue with plain rubbing alcohol. It won't damage electronics. Try that before replacing the switches.
93 850 GLT sedan 156K
94 850 Turbo 189K
94 850 Turbo 189K
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flyfishing3
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save your time, get new switches. they are cheap enough and easy to find
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BEJinFbk
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None of mine are like that, but I know what you're talking about.
FWIW, ArmorAll NEVER touches my car. Maybe a little warm soapy water.
I truly dislike the crud and scum that the shiny stuff leaves...
And who knows what's in that stuff. It may breakdown that coating.
I also try to be careful about scratching the coating with fingernails.
I like the texture, but it's not too robust.
FWIW, ArmorAll NEVER touches my car. Maybe a little warm soapy water.
I truly dislike the crud and scum that the shiny stuff leaves...
And who knows what's in that stuff. It may breakdown that coating.
I also try to be careful about scratching the coating with fingernails.
I like the texture, but it's not too robust.
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... 
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matthew1
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It never touches my switches.BEJinFbk wrote:ArmorAll NEVER touches my car.
Never put ArmorAll-like products on switches. Years ago I "caught" it dissolving the white lettering on my turn signal stalk.
While wiping it the white dye/paint was smearing. Close call. I got it off before it could do obvious damage.
Whatever you use, test in a very small area of any lettering.
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1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
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Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
How to Thank someone for their post
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LowEnergyParticle
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Thank you all very much for your replies!
I tried your rubbing alcohol idea, phat78ta, but on this particular problem it did not seem to help. Similarly, m3rlin, your thoughts on tar remover (used with a Q-tip on a small area that was particularly bad) did not seem to work for this problem.
For me, though, the comments on Armor-All from BEJinFbk and matthew1 were real eye-openers; I was totally unaware that ArmorAll could cause damage. Looking back, I simply can't remember if sometime in the 11 or so years I've had the car I have used ArmorAll on the interior. My attitude towards ArmorAll has always been that it is a fairly benign cleaner/protectant, and the only real caveat was to keep it away from glass. It's certainly possible that I wiped down the switch surfaces in an over-zealous attempt at detailing the inside of the car. Blast. I hate it when I'm the source of my own problems!
So, at this point I'm going to follow the advice of JRL and flyfishing3 and start looking for replacement switches.
Thank you all again!
Dave
I tried your rubbing alcohol idea, phat78ta, but on this particular problem it did not seem to help. Similarly, m3rlin, your thoughts on tar remover (used with a Q-tip on a small area that was particularly bad) did not seem to work for this problem.
For me, though, the comments on Armor-All from BEJinFbk and matthew1 were real eye-openers; I was totally unaware that ArmorAll could cause damage. Looking back, I simply can't remember if sometime in the 11 or so years I've had the car I have used ArmorAll on the interior. My attitude towards ArmorAll has always been that it is a fairly benign cleaner/protectant, and the only real caveat was to keep it away from glass. It's certainly possible that I wiped down the switch surfaces in an over-zealous attempt at detailing the inside of the car. Blast. I hate it when I'm the source of my own problems!
So, at this point I'm going to follow the advice of JRL and flyfishing3 and start looking for replacement switches.
Thank you all again!
Dave
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JRL
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Nothing works
Trust me, I've tried everything!
I have a couple of these (switches) that are bad, I have tested cleaning them using different products, everything makes it worse in the long run
Trust me, I've tried everything!
I have a couple of these (switches) that are bad, I have tested cleaning them using different products, everything makes it worse in the long run
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP
2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.
2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.
Based on the recommendations on "another" volvo forum, I used brake parts cleaner to clean the knobs. It did a GREAT job of removing the sticky residue. Oh, and it also removed ALL of the black finish as well. It cleaned the knobs straight down to the white plastic underneath. DAMN!!! Oh, well, I taped out the lighted position line with a really small piece of masking tape and sprayed the knobs with new black plastic spray paint. Good as new!!