Infidel Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 This is a 98 OBS. The driver's side grab handle and plastic trim below the window has gotten softer and sticky over the years. Last night I left the windows down and it was a bit humid, it was all extremely gummy this morning. Wiping with a dry rag looked like it was just tearing up the material so I left it alone and will leave it open in the sun all day today which should dry it out/harden it back up. This has been getting progressively worse over the years. Anyone have a way to fix or stop this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I have seen this with some cars and not others. Usually dticky shifter knowbs. I have seen soft and gummy door uppers. maybe someone wheo uses lotion a lot and rests thatir arm can cause this. OR whatever you get on your hands is getting in your car. just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedimprezaOB Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I can surely attest to DEET being able to soften and make plastics / rubber very sticky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infidel Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 I can't think of anything that would have caused it, I guess body oils, but I don't ride with my arm on the window or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 since it is not going to get any better on it's own and since the most likely solution is to replace it, i would wash is with some kind of cleaner. it may help. worst case you have to replace it sooner. the only ''ruined'' panel i've seen was dry and brittle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have had luck with sticky shift knobs with a citrused based cleaner like orange glo or similar. Billy Mays would demonstrate if he were still around. If i have a really nasty car, i will take the parts out and wash them in the sink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I used to see this fairly often. Oil causes it. Oil from your skin or from lotion. Mix it with heat and it breaks down the vinyl on an almost molecular level. If you catch it early you can sometimes clean it with a mild degreaser and prevent further damage, but the texture of the vinyl (the top layer) is usually already lost by that point so it will just be a smooth spot on the door panel. Better than goo though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infidel Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Thanks all for your input. Ironically, I traded the Suby in the day after I made this post. It has been a great car, still ran great even with 180K miles on it, and hasn't needed any maintenance. I think it was getting fragile though, I felt like everything was on the brink. Anyways, so long, and thanks for all the help through the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Anyways, so long, and thanks for all the help through the years. So I'm guessing the new one wasn't a Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General chaos Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 So I'm guessing the new one wasn't a Subaru. dosnt sound like it. myself thats the only thing i would trade mine in for. is another subaru. these cars are very hard to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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