430 Definitive F430 Stickies Thread

Been doing a lot of searching on DIY sticky cleanup, and I've noticed there's a lack of information on the surfaces, the printed labels, the materials of the items on the F430. So I thought it would be helpful to have this info all in one place for anyone attempting this as a DIY project. I found out the hard way on a few surfaces how it's not as simple as just removing the sticky surface on some of the trim/buttons.

Here's a list of parts and some assumptions for an F430 coupe, please correct or add any info.

The door handle "LOCK" lever: This one is tricky. The "LOCK" sticker is printed on and comes off when you remove the sticky material. Also, there's a thin layer of black paint on this and underneath, what seems to be silver. Not sure what this lever is made of, but on one of mine, the silver underneath was exposed and I'm going to have to 1. sand it down, 2. respray it matte black, 3. new "LOCK decals, 4. matte clear coat on top.

The door handle lever itself: Not sure about this one. Sticky material seemed to come right off without any damage to finish. Is this black underneath or a stronger black finish than the LOCK buttons?

Door handle inner trim: Unknown

Speaker grills: Unknown

Tweeter mounts: Unknown

Passenger grab handle surround/fixing plate: I found the hard way that the finish on part 67958000 is basically the consistency of Swiss cheese and revealed the bare material underneath very easily, which is not black. I will have to respray this.

Aux switches (gas cap, hood, etc): These were already fixed on my car when I got it. I assume these are all black plastic underneath, but need new decals?

Trip/reset/TPMS buttons: Unknown. Assume these need new decals when fixed and black plastic underneath?

Steering column surround trim: Unknown. Assume this is black plastic underneath and fairly straightforward?

Manettino: Unknown risks on this. But would like to know as mine is a bit sticky.

Small HVAC vents: I cleaned up one of these and it was pretty straightforward. Black plastic under so hard to mess up.

Round HVAC vents: Assume new decals are needed.

Window switches: Since these are one of several buttons that light up, I'm assuming no decal, therefore should be straightforward to clean up as they're black plastic? I do need to do these.

HVAC Indicators: Assume the same as window switches.

HVAC Recirculate/Off Buttons: Assume the same as window switches.

F1 Buttons (Reverse, Auto): Unknown. Mine were already done when I got the car.

Mirror Joystick: Unknown.

Mirror Selector Buttons: Unknown

Ashtray: Unknown. This was already done on my car.

Windshield defrost vents: Unknown.

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What I'm using for my project:

70% isopropyl alcohol (remove sticky coating)
SEM Products Sand Free Adhesion Promoter (before repainting)
SEM Products Trim Black Ultra Matte (for repainting black trim)
Mr. Hobby Topcoat Matte (for final finish on all repaired trim)

Clean all nozzles with acetone frequently and spray in extremely light coats (5-6 total).

 

Also, if anyone has any tips or links to DIY posts or videos for removing individual parts, I can add.

 

Rk the door handles are steel. Steering surrounds are plastic but pretty durable. When I refinish them i take the door handles completely apart then I use paint striper to get down to bare metal. For DIY you will need Lock and Arrow decals or stencil.

 

Yes, discovered by touch when taking it out early today on a cold morning that they had to be steel.

You use acetone to strip or something else?

 

Paint stripper on door handles only. But you gotta clean it off really good. BTW I answered your pm

 

I had decent results with oven cleaner and steel wool on the door handles.