Alexei Volkov
Many plastic products, especially older ones, tend to develop a sticky residue on their surface. This stickiness is caused by the degradation of polymers, which may be influenced by factors such as heat, temperature changes, and exposure to dirt and oils. The phenomenon can also be attributed to the migration of additives, such as plasticizers, to the surface of the plastic. While some people opt to clean or remove the sticky residue, others choose to cover it with talcum powder or similar substances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of stickiness | Plasticizers (additives) seeping or migrating to the surface of the plastic |
| Degradation of polymers due to aging | |
| Exposure to heat, temperature changes, and oils from hands | |
| Use of "soft touch" coating that degrades over time | |
| Solutions to remove stickiness | Rubbing with paper towels and 99% alcohol |
| Using orange oil (essential oil) and paper towels | |
| Baking soda and water paste, followed by wiping with a damp cloth | |
| Talcum powder to absorb and remove the residue | |
| White spirit and IPA for cleaning the residue | |
| Lighter fluid (caution: may deteriorate rubber) |
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What You'll Learn
Plasticizers seeping or degrading over time
Plasticizers are additives in plastics that migrate to the surface and cause stickiness. This migration can be due to physical or chemical processes. Physically, the oily additives migrate to the surface of the plastic due to factors such as heat, temperature changes, and contact with dirty or oily hands. Chemically, the stickiness is caused by the degradation of polymers, which can make the plastic softer and stickier or harder and more brittle.
Over time, the plasticizers in plastic can seep out or degrade, leading to the stickiness observed on the surface of many plastic items. This is a common issue with plastics that have a "'soft touch' coating, which is a rubberized or soft-grip coating added to give the plastic a more premium, tactile feel. However, this coating often degrades over time, turning into a sticky mess. The heat and constant temperature changes, especially in car interiors, accelerate this degradation process, along with contact with dirty or oily hands.
The stickiness caused by plasticizers can be challenging to remove. Some people have suggested using white spirit, IPA (isopropyl alcohol), or lighter fluid to clean off the residue. However, these methods require a lot of scrubbing and may not always be effective if the coating has not fully degraded. Removing the rubberized coating completely, such as by scraping or cutting it off, may be the only permanent solution.
It is important to note that some products may be more susceptible to this issue than others. For example, certain car manufacturers are known for using materials that eventually become sticky, despite customer complaints. Additionally, storing plastic items in extreme temperatures, such as attics or basements, can also accelerate the stickiness.
Overall, the seeping or degrading of plasticizers over time is a significant contributor to the stickiness observed on many plastic items. While there are methods to mitigate the issue, it can be challenging to completely eliminate the stickiness without affecting the underlying plastic.
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Oxygen and UV exposure
The "soft touch" coating found on many plastics is particularly susceptible to degradation over time, turning into a sticky residue. This coating is often added to give a premium feel to products, but it can break down due to oxygen and UV exposure, as well as heat and constant temperature changes.
In some cases, the stickiness may be caused by the migration of additives or oily substances, such as plasticizers, to the surface of the plastic. Plasticizers are commonly used in plastics to improve flexibility and durability, but they can migrate to the surface over time, especially in older plastics, and cause a sticky residue.
Additionally, some plastics may be more porous, allowing them to absorb oils and other substances from the environment, which can then be released over time, causing stickiness. This is often seen in plastics designed to contain oils or other sticky substances.
To prevent oxygen and UV exposure from causing stickiness, it is recommended to cover the plastic with a non-porous material or store it in a controlled environment. However, once the plastic has degraded and become sticky, it is challenging to restore it to its original state. Some methods, such as using cleaning agents or scrubbing with baking soda, can help remove the sticky residue, but the plastic may be left smooth and non-sticky, losing its original texture.
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Extreme temperatures
The heat and constant temperature changes in a car's interior, coupled with grabbing and touching with dirty, oily hands, can accelerate the degradation of plastics. This is why the driver's door handle on a BMW tends to be the first part to turn into a sticky mess. The steering wheel of a Mazda 626 can also become sticky due to a combination of a hot climate and oil residue from the driver's hands.
Some plastics are more susceptible to the effects of extreme temperatures than others. For example, plastic bottles designed to contain oils must be made from a different type of plastic than those used for water. Additionally, certain plastics will shed and bond more readily with oils in their environment as they deteriorate.
The "soft touch" plastics, which have a matt, slightly rubberised soft texture, are very prone to degradation over time and often turn sticky. This type of plastic is commonly used in automotive interiors to give a "premium" feel. However, the coating can break down over time due to heat and constant temperature changes, resulting in a sticky residue.
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Oil residue
Soft-touch coatings, commonly found on automotive interiors, are also prone to degradation over time, resulting in a sticky mess. The heat, temperature fluctuations, and contact with dirty, oily hands accelerate this process. This is particularly noticeable in car interiors, where the driver's door handle can quickly turn into a sticky goo.
To address this issue, some individuals have suggested removing the rubberized coating using substances like white spirit, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), or even a scalpel for more stubborn cases. However, it is important to note that these methods may require significant scrubbing and only leave the base shiny plastic underneath. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid using neat acetone on plastic or rubber, as it can cause softening or melting. Instead, a diluted solution, such as 70% IPA, might be a more suitable alternative.
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Soft-touch coatings
However, soft-touch coatings can break down over time, causing stickiness. This can be due to the migration of sticky additives, such as plasticizers, to the surface of the plastic. Degradation of polymers due to aging can also result in stickiness, making the polymer softer and sticky or harder and brittle. To remediate this issue, the soft-touch coating can be removed, revealing the hard plastic surface underneath. This can be done using methods such as alcohol, orange oil, or talcum powder.
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Frequently asked questions
The stickiness of plastics is caused by the degradation of polymers, which can make the polymer softer and stickier. This can be caused by the diffusion or migration of oily additives like plasticizers to the surface of the plastic.
There are several methods to remove sticky residue from plastic. One method is to use 99% alcohol and paper towels to rub the affected area. Another method is to use lighter fluid, but be cautious as it may further deteriorate the plastic. Other methods include using talcum powder, baking soda, or white spirit and IPA.
Not all plastics become sticky over time. Some companies manufacture plastic products that do not exhibit this issue, regardless of age. This may be due to variations in the chemical composition of plastics, with some plastics being more porous or rigid than others.
