Well after following this wonderful thread on taking them apart, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38245 Thank you medic225 for posting that.
I was able to get them clean and fresh again. Not to mention all my windows now work. When they didn't before this project.
I tried 4 different cleaning solutions. Straight distilled vinegar, vinegar and backing soda, straight baking soda and lastly Oxiclean.
Oxiclean for the win! DO NOT us vinegar. The one switch I used vinegar on took the sticky stuff off but also affect the paint on the switches. And it actually didn't loosen the goo as well as Oxiclean.
Just basic Oxiclean https://www.oxiclean.com/en/products/st ... in-remover
Follow this at your own risk. YMMV
Here's the process.
Refer to the post linked above on taking your switches apart.
Now you can either leave the rockers attached and soak the entire thing (not the electronic bits. Just the black frame that has the buttons attached to it. Use common since please) or take the offending buttons off. It is easier to take the button off the rocker than it is to take the rocker off the black frame. I did this on one switch and it was a pain. I ended up still separating the buttons off each rocker to clear them. I didn't want to clear coat them attached to the black frame.
Each button is attached to the rocker with 4 delicate little tabs. 2 on each side. You have to work something under the tabs and pry them away from the rocker. It will make since when you see it. Be patient and take your time. I did crack a few tabs but it still stays together very well. Worst case you could probably glue the buttons on the rockers once back together.
The on/off button and door lock buttons are attached and hinge on the black frame. Sadly, I broke one of the tabs and had to use some JB Weld plastic weld and re-attach it. I first super glued it back on and that did not hold. So I think super glued it and reinforced it with the JB Weld. I love this stuff. https://www.jbweld.com/product/plasticweld-epoxy-putty
Once I got actual buttons off, i mixed up a solution of Oxiclean and water. I really didn't measure out the amount of Oxy clean. I just dumped some in a plastic container and dissolved it with some hot water. I will tell you it was way more than what it calls for on the container for even the weakest dilution.
I then let the buttons soak in the mix for 24 or so hours. I didn't really time it. But it was at least 24 hours. I don't know if it really matters
This soaking loosened up the goo enough that I could easily rub at the switches with my finger and get it off. Now be careful. Enough rubbing and you still may rub the paint off. I also used a dish washing sponge on some of the areas. It helped but probably wasn't needed. This still isn't a fast process but not at all difficult or tiring.
Once I got all the ick off I washed the buttons with some soapy water to get the residue off.
After they dried, I then cleared them with some rustoleum 2x matte clear. Don't know that the brand matters but make sure its safe for plastic. This one also has some UV protection so fingers crossed it doesn't turn yellow in a few years.
One thing I have noticed, after clearing it, in some places the paint took on a cracked look under the clear. I think it just has to do with the reaction of the clear with the original paint. I'm not sure.
Once the clear is dried snap it all back together.
I lubed all the moving contact bits with some dielectric grease. Probably wasn't needed but I didn't think it would hurt.
I don't have a good pic of it all back together. I thought I did but I don't. I will get one up soon.
The left are after shots and then the middle is before and the right are the after. I thought they were gouged into the plastic but it's just whatever that goo is. Now I need to do the other 3 door switches.
Now I have clean and refreshed window switches. And all it cost was a little bit of time.
- Here's a patched together image of some before and after's
- RRNA2162-2.png (1.09 MiB) Viewed 947 times