Well that is the bezel on the buttons that suppose to make it easier to press the buttons rather than feel slippy and smooth its sticky. Everyone has it sooner or later. I used windex where i would spray and lightly rub it until it has come off completly. The stickyness should be on the steering wheel buttons, the light knob and the glove compartment open switch also. I have seen replacements which are very expensive. Well atleast the wood grain replacement for the steering wheel is.

 

Yes, I have the same problem.

Absolutely disgusting...I used nail polish remover (acetone free), got most of it off, BUT it also wiped the color off and now have a "white" spot.

I still am trying to see how to slove this...

 

Thanks for the advice about windex. I'll look out for it.

I went through some of the similar threads.

Someone else had good results with using :-
1) ''Goo Gone''
2) Eagle One Nano Protectorant

Another person used ''Mountain Shine Final Detail 2''

Anyone else tried the above tips?

 

Plain old rubbing alcohol worked for me... and a little elbow grease. No more sticky.

 

Hi S320L1999

I can imagine the ''sticky'' problem you r having since your car is in the middle east.

One way u might want to consider is to actually have the buttons removed and either

1) you spray them with paint OR
2) apply 3M carbon fibre sticker over them

But of course it means you lose the little icons...but then again do you really need the icons most of the time when driving? At least, the buttons will look better.

I'm gonna try the chemicals first because so far I haven't lost any paint from the stickers when i was cleaning them. But since you have got the paint off, the chemicals might make it worse for you.

Of course, in the worst case scenario, you might actually want to get new buttons which i heard are pricey!

 

The buttons are available from the dealer, but as expected, they're costly (about $310 list). Special order, need the color code for your car.

Part # (at least for 2002 S55) is 200 821 53 51.

If you're a member of the MB owner's club, you can get a 15% discount on parts.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

DO NOT USE NAIL POLISH REMOVER!!

Use any CAR POLISH (with silicon if possible) cream and with some effort with a good rag and all the sticky goes away and the button will look like NEW.

Make sure to wipe all the polish off, and then add wipe any remains with WD-40 or some type of interior cleaning creams.

 

Do u have a BEFORE N AFTER PHOTO?

 

No before picture unfortunately, but I will post pictures on "after".

Before it was truely awful, as if someone put layers of grease and dirt...

 

I used formula 409 and a scotch textured cloth. Took me about and 1/2 hr. Done deal.

 

I replaced mine with the burled wood maybach style, took some work to make them fit but they look good.

 

where did you get them from? mine are worn thru, i have the bured walnut dash and wheel so these sound perfect replacement

 

Thx

Thank you for the advise. Polish did remove all the sticky stuff on my steering wheel buttons.

 

i would love to see some pictures of before and after.
my original thought was that there was sticky items on there.
after more research, i discovered that my buttons got sticky after a car washed used some solvents on it and it removed the clear coat off the top. they ended up replacing the buttons.
now, whenever i go to car wash, i tell them to NOT TOUCH my steering wheel.
Patrick

 

My cl600 had sticky buttons as described. My solution was to use rubbing alcohol. I'd suggest putting the alcohol on a fine soft rag and rubbing GENTLY. My buttons are now completely smooth but I rubbed too hard with terry cloth and rubbed too much off and now have some white lines on the buttons. You will not rub the icons off as they are apparently cut into the surface of the gray coating and the buttons are white underneath. But as I said if you rub too hard the gray will come off exposing more of the white underneath.

 

Read my REPLY. Thats is only FIX.

 

Your Best Bet Is To Have Them Replaced Like I Did On My 05 S 500

There Real Easy To Replace ,, Just Pop Off The Air Bag , Take In The House Put In The New Buttons And Put The Bag Back In Car About $300.00 :big laugh:

 

Cleaning sticky buttons

A few weeks ago, I used Gila window film remover and an old tee shirt to help scrape off the sticky covering. The film remover softed the clear covering and allowed it to be pushed to the bend in the button, where it is easily scraped off with a fingernail. The film remover did not discolor the buttons, or remove the painted symbols. Also used it on the glovebox button. Took about half and hour. Well worth it - wish I'd done it earlier to get a clean look! Three weeks later, no discoloration of the buttons and the backlighted symbols look fine.

 

Denatured alcohol works perfectly to remove the sticky residue on buttons and switch panels etc. Take your time and avoid getting it on the leather if possible. (Q-tips work well around the edges) It may take several applications depending on the severity of the sticky residue. I had a pretty bad case on the light switch panel and the steering wheel buttons and was able to remove all of it in about 30 minutes with no color fading. Don't rub hard! Use multiple light applications instead. I recommend soft paper towels or a soft cloth. change the area of the cloth that you are wiping with frequently to avoid transfering the residue back and forth. Denatured Alcohol is preferable over many of the other methods as it will not leave any odor or residue of its own.

At first you may not think that the residue is coming off very well as it tends to smear around (much like trying to wipe up sticky syrup). Be patient and and you will be very pleased with the results. To repeat though: Do not use anything abrasive and do not rub hard! The plastic is white underneath and will be exposed if you rub off the outer finish.

 

Denatured alcohol works perfectly. Just Take your time and avoid getting it on the leather if possible. (Q-tips work well around the edges) It may take several applications depending on the severity of the sticky residue. I has a pretty bad case on the light switch panel and the steering wheel buttons and was able to remove all of it in about 30 minutes with no color fading. Don't rub hard! Use multiple light applications instead.

Thank You For The Info, I Know Other Members Have The Same Problem.

I Done My Light Switch And Worked Very Well
Thanks Again For Posting This Tip
Harley03joe :Smoker:

 

i have this same problem as i live in hawaii -_- its very annoying >< i will take photos before and clean it up and take new ones

 

Sticky buttons be gone - simple green

Hi all,
I recently purchased a 2002 S500 and the buttons are terrible, so disgusting that I didn't even want to touch them. I spent a good part of an hour cleaning the 4 sets of buttons on the steering wheel and glove box latch button with Simple Green.

It took a lot of paper towel and back and forth cleaning. Basically, I kept wetting the buttons and wiping until they are not shinny anymore. It took a little aggressive scrubbing but I think it was worth it.

Please keep in mind that I just did this today and I have no idea if there are any long term negative impacts on the buttons. I'm hoping not... I use Simple Green on my motorcycle plastics for tough stains and so far no issues/discolorations/etc.

So far so good, final product = I'm happy with the outcome :thumbsup:
-az4r1

Disclaimer: proceed at own risk if anyone decides to try this method. If anyone knows this product is harmful, please let me/us know, thanks!

 

What also helps in this process is using the edge of credit card as a scraper. Mine were terrible and I cleaned them up with the credit card and windex actually. I was originally nervous of using anything to caustic.

 

Me too (re: caustic cleaners).

I simply saturated the buttons using Armor All Cleaning Wipes and used my fingernail to scrape the loosened goo off bit by bit. Worked great. Took a few scrub/wipe cycles but well worth it.

 

I just bought my 2004 S500 w/ 52k miles and I made the dealer replace just the buttons as part of the deal and they did! Cost was about $300 they told me

 

Has anyone tried "Plasti Dip" those buttons with flat black colour?