Back to black

[NickP]

The previous owner covered all the internal switches and dials in back to black or some such stuff and its looking very flakey. I want to get it all off and wondered if anyone had any tips for a simple way of removing this stuff other than get someone else to do it!

I've tried a few cleaning solvents but they don't seem to break it down in the way I'd like, I can scratch it off with my finger nails but they don't fit into all of the places its coated.

I was hoping to use something on a cotton bud / brush but have no idea what dissolves this stuff, it seems like its had lots of coats!

Any help is appreciated!

 

[npaskin]

Nick, not sure if this helps but I have read somewhere (but can't remember where) that the Autoglym bumper care product dissolves old wax etc which has got onto plastics. It's a greenish thick liquid product (in the usual white Autoglym bottle) and it certainly works for cleaning e.g. mud flaps and removing previous products residues from there (I've used it for that). However I have no personal experience of use on internal plastics, so proceed with care...maybe try it on one small area that's easy to get to (also, I would think that as it's liquid you'd need to beware getting it inside switches). If the previous product has formed a hard lacquer it's going to be difficult to get off though

You could also try searching on one of the detailing sites like http://www.detailingworld.co.uk?

 

[stradaman]

Kitchen scourer and some detergent. But try a spot first. Something like Fairy liquid will break it down, due to the salt content.

Andy.

 

[conaero]

I would try lighter fluid (refined petrol)

 

[stradaman]

Spirit or solvent might take the colour off, reason why i said detergent.
When i first started in the motortrade, a million yrs back, we used carbon tectrocloride, or ctc as it was known. But it had terrible side effects. It messed about your liver and kidneys!
All Fiats arrived with a wax applied to the exterior, and interior. CTC was used, to remove the interior wax.

Andy

 

[2b1ask1]

Spirit or solvent might take the colour off, reason why i said detergent.
When i first started in the motortrade, a million yrs back, we used carbon tectrocloride, or ctc as it was known. But it had terrible side effects. It messed about your liver and kidneys!
All Fiats arrived with a wax applied to the exterior, and interior. CTC was used, to remove the interior wax.

Andy

Also very high risk of brain tumour from long term or frequent exposure... Very common amongst dry cleaners actually.

 

[NickP]

Ok I'll give CTC a miss!! Thanks for all the other suggestions, I'll give them a go and I'll report back which works best.