Freelander Heater Knobs

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daisymay

New Member
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Barbrook Lynton
This is a minor problem, I know, but I'm curious about the reason. The three knobs on the heater control panel have gone 'sticky'. I don't mean they're sticking, rather that they're sticky to the touch. They haven't been in contact with anything unusual, but it's an old car. The knobs are a sort of soft plastic - rubbery. Anyone know what's happened to them? And anyone know if I can buy just the knobs, not the whole control panel?
 
Mine are sticky too. It's a common problem with these "soft feel" controls. Interestingly, the wife's BMW cabrio has the same sticky problem on most plastics in that. The soft feel coating ages in the sunshine. It's probably best to remove the soft coating altogether. If you can identify a suitable solvent for it.
The earlier Freelander had hard plastic heater knobs iirc
 
Pull them off, use strong degreaser/solvent and scrub hard. It is a common issue with anything covered with the rubbery stuff they came with. I've seen the same issue with Microsoft mice and various tools and elbow grease is the answer.
 
Mine were revolting. They stuck to you to the point where you could pick them up by touching them with one finger.
Soaked them in hot soapy water to soften them up then attacked them with Cillit Bang and a brush. Bang and The Gunge Was Gone.
 
I'm with Baptista - I'd rather clean my knob with a baby wipe rather than a strong degreaser/solvent or hot water :eek:

Sorry, someone had to say it!

I'll go sit in the corner of the room and shut up.
 
You can buy them new from LR still, but I seem to recall they were a silly price.

It is possible to get an aerosol spray that such as Plastidip that retextures surfaces like this. I don't know how hardwearing it is though.

Like others, I just cleaned the rubber off, and have gone with the plastic. Don't notice it now, and certainly better than that horrible tacky feel.
 
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