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.

 

[danooxnard]

I tried the alcohol and it worked pretty well, it removed lots of old black plastic. It actually removed almost completely the small ribs on the side of the radio. My alcohol wipes are 4x3 inch. This was a 90% less sticky than what it was. I finished it off with a little odorless mineral spirits and that made it a little less sticky. Overall I would say it was a success. The attached photos are the wipes I used.


Dano

 

[Art12050]

The gel like consistency of hand sanitizer allows you to spread it on the surface and sit for a while to beak down the goo. Alcohol tends to evaporate too fast, meaning repeated application.