03 S80 T6 - Almost finished de-rattling and putting back all the door panels and center console. Started with repairing the driver's side door actuator motor and replacing the rear passenger door switch. Discovered the 2 panels pretty much came un-glued. The center console locking mechanism was not working and pops out easily so decided to remove the entire unit to see what was going on also.
The previous owner(s) used excessive quantities of Armour All or similar so the door panel are all afflicted with the sticky dash syndrome. Tried the following using a tooth brush, large bristle brush and green scouring pad to no avail.
1) Super Clean: Did not removed the stickiness but left the panel all white and dulled the Faux Walnut Trim. Melted really.
2) 91% Alcohol: Same as Super Clean and melts/dulls certain soft plastics easily.
3) Magic Eraser: Left panels whitish but if you rub hard enough the surface will be cleaner then both 1) & 2) but at that point the Eraser disintegrates.
4) Various Other Cleaners: Goof Off, Laundry Detergent...
Everything seems to either dried out / perhaps even removed a layer of the panel material while embedding the dirt and spreading the stickiness. Tried a wax cleaner polish and nothing still but saw Mother Mag & Aluminum Polish on the shelf next to it.
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/0510 ... slider1=21
Well, it looks like Mothers Knows Best after all.
It removed the black grease (old Armour All / body oils / grease), kept the surface from drying while removing the sticky stuff. Still requires a good of amount of rubbing with a towel however. Will try it with the tooth brush and green scouring pad tomorrow.
Mothers has turned out to be a great multipurpose go to chemical for headlights to windshield and some have used it to polish the dash plastic. If you get stuck removing whatever, give Mothers a try.
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