What the hell is this stuff and where did it come from?

I have not driven my 550 for about two months. The beast is in my garage and covered with a car cover made for the Maranello. This past Saturday night I went to my brother’s with my wife. After she got into her seat, she closed the window as she always does. She asked, “Why is the window switch so sticky?” I said, “What?” After touching various non-leather things, I realize everything was sticky.

Sunday morning I looked at my car. Everything which is plastic inside the car is covered with a coating of black tar-like stuff. Water does not affect it but alcohol takes it right off.

What the hell is this stuff and where did it come from?



12 cylinders or walk

 

This is the problem the 355s and TRs experience. I think the only cure is to replace the sticky parts. Its a well known problem, but the first time I've heard of it occuring in a 550.

 

You guys don't know about Sticky No More...?

 

WAIT!!!

Do you need to tell us all something???

Do you have a steady girlfriend???

Just kiddin' Carb. You know who loves you, right?

Dave

 

I think you mean 348, 355 and 550 . I have never heard of the TR having sticky interiors.

 

TRs have some sticky bits too

 

I'd be insulted if that wasn't so clever.

 

i have a 550, never heard of this, but would like an answer as to why it happens so i can be on the look out....

 

Must be offgassing or exudation of chemicals from the plastic the object is made of.
Good thing alcohol takes it off

I gather it was not present on the leather surfaces. Is it present on metal surfaces? Perhaps it's offgassing from plastic / synthetic parts that is collecting inside the closed car. I usually leave the windows open about a half inch or so to allow some air exchange.

 

Bart, go back to the 550 section, or search..... it's a common problem on 550's. Replacement seems to be the only solution....Some FC vendors are offering CF replacements for one or two pieces, but not all. 'tis a *****......

Tritone
(yes, my '01 is getting slightly sticky too....)

 

I guess I am lucky then. Which parts in the TR ? mirror switch? now in my ex 348 everything melted and had to be stripped

 

It is caused by the super tactile rubberized coating that Ferrari coat all the plastic parts with. It is so good that officially there is no problem

We've seen it in Mondials, 348, 355, 360, 430, 456, 550, 575 and Enzo. Haven't seen it yet in 599 and 612, nor 575SA for that matter, but I'm sure we will in time. To see what a "bad" piece looks like, check out the steering column surround from my Mondial t. More to the point, check out the awesome refinish that Robbie did on it!

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223002

 

In addition - even though I sell new replacement parts from ferrari, I strongly suggest turning to Robbie first. He's a lot cheaper (no offense intended R!), and I think the results are better. It will last longer too. For the purists, I'd suggest getting Robbie to refinish all the existing parts in your car, AND buy a new set and put them in storage somewhere for when you'll want them. A complete 355 re-do is in the region of $2K - and it will happen again in a few years, especially if the car ever gets parked in the sun.

I would be interested to hear from any Enzo owners about whether ferrari has offered to replace sticky parts free of charge. We've sold some, so I guess not, but maybe some dealers are more generous than others....

 

360's also.

 

I am surprised that you have never heard of this "universal" problem. it has been commented on by many over the years. your first thought was probably......not in MY Ferrari! for all that $ and the plastic gets sticky? we have all been there.
there is a remedy, read on.

 

Is the Car cover contributing to the problem by limiting the "breathing" of the interior? I had to replace the Becker Radio knobs in my '00 456m. The knobs were literally melting in my fingers.

 

If you plan to have children don't touch or wiff these melted parts...

 

I've been told plastic may be slightly toxic (search the page for "PBDEs" or "phthalates").

 

without reading all of the threads on this subject, what causes this?

 

Break down of the material they used. The plastic is degrading and releasing gases that are not good to breathe. Keeping a car under a cover in an over heated garage hastens the process as does parking in the sun.

Ventilation and cool retards the degradation. If you touch this get it off your skin. Alcohol does not stop the degradation only acts as a solvent and removes residue of degraded/melted material.

 

Thanks to all. I will be busy this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.



12 cylinders or walk

 

I heard that place is the bomb!!!

 

They have cool videos too!

 

Who was the last detailer and what product did he use as a dressing on all of the rubber coated plastic parts before you stored the car 2 months ago???

 

How much you want to bet it was Armoral?