SL/R230: Have an idea to "repair" jelly radio knobs
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
Have an idea to "repair" jelly radio knobs
Regarding the disintegrating rubber radio knobs, I've been giving this some thought on and off (mostly off) for a few months. This may not be a perfect solution, but it may work....I thought about getting some heat shrink tubing and just shrinking it around the knob, but not the front part with the lumination. It would only be a small piece, less than an inch and cover only the part of the knob used for turning. I'm not sure how it will look but the heat shrink is easily removed if it's not attractive. I'm thinking only cover the rounded surface as the material will not shrink perfectly around the front of the knob. We will see how this turns out when I find the time to do it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
The problem is the removal of the entire system to gain access to REMOVE the knobs. I just don't want to get that involved to replace knobs. Extremely poor design if you ask me.
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03 SL55,01 acura cls,05 lotus elise RIP
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
There are only 2 navi/radio knobs . The rubber is starting to breakdown so much, you can use your fingernail and scratch the rubber off. I don't think clearcoat will stop the rubber from breaking down and would only be a temporary fix.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 47
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SL500
For the longest time I lived with it and finally couldn't take it any longer. I took a clean rag, and buffed out all the 'melting" rubbber. All that gunk ended up on the rag, and I realized that under all that rubber, was a nice smooth plastic knob including the white areas where the light comes through. It took some time, and some patience, but the more I rubbed, the more easily the gunk came off untill it was all gone. I was so proud of myself...Go ahead, try it but do post your results...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
For the longest time I lived with it and finally couldn't take it any longer. I took a clean rag, and buffed out all the 'melting" rubbber. All that gunk ended up on the rag, and I realized that under all that rubber, was a nice smooth plastic knob including the white areas where the light comes through. It took some time, and some patience, but the more I rubbed, the more easily the gunk came off untill it was all gone. I was so proud of myself...Go ahead, try it but do post your results...
I was toying with idea of doing the same thing. I started to use my fingernail on the rubber but didn't have the guts to continue. Now that I know exactly what is under the rubber, I will probably go your route and just remove the disintegrating rubber and enjoy the smooth plastic knob! My goal was to get rid of the rubber finish without having to remove the entire navi/radio unit.
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sl600
Once you get all the rubber off, how about something like this?
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
it would still require removal of the radio - but last I heard you could not order the knobs separately.
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
it would still require removal of the radio - but last I heard you could not order the knobs separately.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
Once you get all the rubber off, how about something like this?
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
it would still require removal of the radio - but last I heard you could not order the knobs separately.
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
it would still require removal of the radio - but last I heard you could not order the knobs separately.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
For the longest time I lived with it and finally couldn't take it any longer. I took a clean rag, and buffed out all the 'melting" rubbber. All that gunk ended up on the rag, and I realized that under all that rubber, was a nice smooth plastic knob including the white areas where the light comes through. It took some time, and some patience, but the more I rubbed, the more easily the gunk came off untill it was all gone. I was so proud of myself...Go ahead, try it but do post your results...
OMG! You are the man! I did what you said this morning and it only took 15 minutes. I didn't realize the rubber was so thin. The knobs now look like the rest of the buttons on the navi. Matte black and smooth as a baby's butt! I will do some fine tuning on the removal of the rest of the rubber closest to the unit but that should be easy. I can't believe it was such a simple proceedure that I didn't do 2 years ago! Thanks again for the tip! 
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From: somewhere between Tallahassee and Davie, FL depending on the day :-p
2003 sl500
so you used just a standard rag and rubbed it off? no chemical or compound to help remove it? since the knobs obviously rotate, howd you manage to apply the pressure needed for removal? mine are all 'melty' as well for lack of a better description and would love to hear a little more about the fix. a pic would be nice also 
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
A simple terry towel will do it. No need for anany solvents. The rubber comes off with firm wiping pressure. The knob will rotate but if your wipe from back to front, the rubber will slowly begin loosen and rub off. The rubber will then move to the front of the knob where it is easily removed with the cloth. The coating is very thin so you won't see a lot of residue on the cloth. Take your time and marvel at the feel and look of your "new" knobs.
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SL500
A simple terry towel will do it. No need for anany solvents. The rubber comes off with firm wiping pressure. The knob will rotate but if your wipe from back to front, the rubber will slowly begin loosen and rub off. The rubber will then move to the front of the knob where it is easily removed with the cloth. The coating is very thin so you won't see a lot of residue on the cloth. Take your time and marvel at the feel and look of your "new" knobs.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
The reason for the rubber on the knobs is the good feel it gives. I don't think they realized it would begin to deteriorate that badly over time. Oh well, the fix is easy and FREE! All that's involved is some patience and a cloth. It sure beats spending $600 at the dealer for new knobs that will probably do the same thing in a couple of years. Thanks again to you for all the help and information!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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From: Maryland
2003 SL500
Sticky radio knobs
Hi All,
Just bought a used 2003 SL500 and it was in fantastic condition except for the gummy control knobs. Was wondering if anyone could post a photo of the knobs after the sticky rubber is cleaned off. Thx
AV8OR
Just bought a used 2003 SL500 and it was in fantastic condition except for the gummy control knobs. Was wondering if anyone could post a photo of the knobs after the sticky rubber is cleaned off. Thx
AV8OR
Newbie
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2003 ML 350
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 284
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From: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
2004 SL500R / 2003 BMW M5
The knobs will have the exact same finish as the buttons on the radio...matte black. Looks and feels great. Don't be afraid to do this. I was at first. It comes out clean and you wonder why you didn't do it earlier. I'm not going to post a pix because, as I said, it looks the same as the rest of the radio buttons without the icky gummy feel!
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2004 SL55
Using an old sock or a textured cloth and silicone tire gel, rub the knobs and dash buttons until the goo gets transferred to the sock. Don't use too much silicone. Buff until all the silicone is removed. The knobs/buttons look perfect. Why the clear plastic coating was used is unknown. It was never needed.
Last edited by busaboy; Nov 30, 2010 at 09:24 PM.
