I have this old handheld radio

[danooxnard]

I have a 10 year old handheld radio. It works great but the plastic is breaking down and it is feeling sticky. Has anyone come up with a fix for this? I have thought of painting it but I thought I would see what every one thought might be a good fix.
Thanks, Dano

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If the plasticizers are broken down, it can’t be a good sign for the life of the batteries. Mfg and age?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Does it have a rubberized coating?

 

[ShawnL]

I just saw something on youtube about this recently -- unleaded gasoline. Apparently it removes the sticky. I haven't tried it yet, but I've tried darn near everything else on plastic that's become sticky with age. I guess it kind of makes sense, both are petro-chemical based.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I just saw something on youtube about this recently -- unleaded gasoline. Apparently it removes the sticky. I haven't tried it yet, but I've tried darn near everything else on plastic that's become sticky with age. I guess it kind of makes sense, both are petro-chemical based.

Good reason to NEVER watch YouTube videos for advice. Dioxins are “petrochemical based” as is TCE, isocyanate, …. and they aren’t flammable

 

[ShawnL]

Good reason to NEVER watch YouTube videos for advice. Dioxins are “petrochemical based” as is TCE, isocyanate, …. and they aren’t flammable

Noted

 

[capta]

I wish I could be more certain, but it was a long time ago.
I have a pair of Canon stabilized binoculars, and after some years the rubber coating got sticky, as you said. I believe I used WD-40, PB Blaster, kerosene or maybe (but I doubt it) acetone to clean the rubber coating off. I did not use gas or diesel.
What I do remember was that it was a tremendous amount of work. Right down to dental tools and q-tips type work. Had the glasses not been worth upwards of $400 in those days, I might not have put in all that work.
By the way, they still work well today, and the sticky never came back. Good luck.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've recoated an item that had a failing rubberized coating with rubberized spray paint for automotive rims. I'm not sure how long it lasted as I sold it shortly afterwards

 

[danooxnard]

Radio is a Standard Horizon HX851. Instruction Manual was printed in 2010. Thanks for all the ideas.. I will start with least destructive and work towards unleaded gas, at least that way I can light it on fire if nothing works!

 

[Art12050]

I’ve had that happen to a pair of Canon binocular. The UV rays broke down the coating to a gummy consistency.
I used hand sanitizer, it took off no problem. Rubbing alcohol also works.

 

[danooxnard]

Thanks!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Alcohol is the most effective (and safe) solvent to dissolve degraded plasticizers causing the sticky feeling. Recognize it’s only a bandaid solution as it won’t fix the problem but only prolong the eventual disintegration. Plasticizers will continue to migrate at a faster rate.