Just purchased my first ever Ford truck a few weeks ago, it's a 2012, and where the drivers right arm rested on the center console, near the cupholder, it's perpetually sticky. At first i thought it was just filthy, but after thoroughly cleaning it, it just stays sticky. Anyone know how to fix this?

 

It's possible that the prior owner coated it with some type of protectant.

I've had very good results cleaning stuff with those Mr Clean magic pads you buy in the household cleaning stuff aisle. Try it on a little section of the console first. I find you don't have to scrub hard; just keep it wet and use circular motions.

 

I've sometimes had success with 409 and an entire roll of paper towels.

Wipe in only one direction.

Spray, then wipe with a paper towel.

Repeat using a new towel, wipe in the same direction. Do not reuse a towel or wipe more than once with it, as that may re-deposit some of what you just removed.

Repeat until you use up the entire roll of towels.

Let it dry for an hour, and check if there was an improvement. It may be better where the wipe started than where the wipe ended.

While waiting for it to dry, price a replacement armrest.

 

I seriously hope you're joking, I don't think it's dirt anyway, I've already cleaned it. It's just tacky and sticky. I'll try cleaning it a little more, but I don't see anymore dirt.

 

I have a piece of plastic like that in my 2006 Trailblazer. It has been like that since new. Let me know if you have a solution

 

Not joking.

I've saved armrests, steering wheels, and a few other pieces this way.

I think the 409 "draws out" whatever is causing the tackiness from the material.

I've also had some pieces that I could not save (or gave up and replaced when improvement was not coming fast enough).

One step stronger than 409 is rubbing alcohol, same procedure with the paper towels. But this will damage leather, so be careful even of any overspray.

My best guess for the cause is some skin cream or hand lotion.

 

I have no fix for the sticky, BUT have a story. My work truck, 2012 F150, I was prescribed an antibiotic hand cream by a Dr.
Since I was spending a lot of time driving, I kept the tube in the (new at the time) truck. I have always driven with my hand resting on the wheel at 12 O'clock. The top of the wheel started to get a kind of sticky feeling, I realized (too late) that the ointment was actually melting the rubber. I now have a nice flat spot for my hand. Company bought 7 trucks at once mine is the only one that did it so it had to be the medicine.

Moral of the story, beware of what you "apply" to your interior plastic.

Good thing "I didn't do it to MY 2003 7.3!

 

What are you cleaning it with? Try a wash cloth and warm soapy water. Clean it really well with the cloth then dry it with another clean dry cloth. I've found chemical based products only make it worse.

 

My 05 did that

No joke .. .... brawny shop wipes... little red and wight tub at o rielly... they are for cleaning your hands when you finish working on your truck... wet wipe kinda thing..

They are amazing.

Also no joke.. baby wipes. Talk mess all you want but them things are potent.

My last and most drastic one, Castro superclean... be careful... use instructions! It's awesome stuff though.

 

Gojo hand cleaner works good on stubborn oil and grease. I've used it on company trucks that I've gotten second hand to clean up extremely nasty door panels and vinyl seats with very good luck. Just don't get the Gojo with grit, it's a bare to clean up.

 

i work in a restaurant, and the oils left on my hands and shoes eats up rubber. the handlebar grips and floorboards on my harley, steering wheel covers, arm rests.......have not found a cure yet other than wash your hands well before use.

 

My latest 02 F350 had the sticky steering wheel disease when I bought it. It's like the fake leather wrap has soaked up whatever the sticky substance is and slowly released it over the course of several months. I used baby wipes once a week for about a month to clear it up.

 

This is what I always do: