So stupid question: The ashtray in my car was marked up, not sticky per se, but you could see something put a slight gouge in the top of it, and it always bothered me. So I ordered a new one from Scuderia parts, - came in, and it is great... so I got the old one out of the car - no problem, but I want to change over the lighter into the new ashtray... this is where the problem comes in... how do you get the lighter out, without breaking the old one? and more importantly, how do you get the new lighter in ???? I see how the lighter body is retained by a small indent and have that loose, but I can't get the whole thing out? any help - is MOST appreciated.
NOT a stupid question!! I had this same issue replacing the ashtray on my 612. First of all, the plastic ashtray is very delicate and cracks easily around the top so be careful not to force it. It looks like it should be easy to rotate the lighter past that little indent - but you can’t. I only figured it out after buying a new lighter. It arrives with the metal lighter pulled mostly out of the green plastic base that holds the light. When the metal lighter is pulled up, it gives you just enough room to rotate the green base into the new ashtray. After you do that you can gently push the lighter into the base. With your old lighter, the metal is likely seated into the green base and difficult to pull it out. Since I had cracked the old ashtray I was able to remove it and could use some pliers. I will try to post a photo of he lighter with the metal part extended out of the green base. Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is helpful, thanks. I actually was able to get mine past the indent, but seeing it pushed out now makes some sense. I'll give it another try. on a lighter note - I removed all the sticky gooey paint - and the plastic actually looks really good... so i did not need a new one -but its going in anyway!
Method you used on sticky parts? My 599 HGTE suffers. Thank goodness newest models are finally produced without that dumb sticky surfaces.
Neutrogena wipes are getting good reviews in the 360 forum. Will try them myself. No stickies in New Mexico, but as soon as I moved to Tennessee, everything went. Humidity.
Its gonna sound crazy - but oven degreaser - and a cloth towel... I use Sack Cloth from Walmart - you can buy a dozen for like $5. spray the part liberally with the degreaser - wear gloves if you handle the part, and then let it sit for 5 min.... then start to wipe off the gooey mess. I would not use this while parts are in the car. I also used a green scrubby for the areas that are not seen - like the underside and inside of the ash tray. it comes off very quickly. Cut small pieces of the green scrubby into long sections so you can get them in corners. I then rinsed in warm water - and dry with a paper towel. before painting I heated up the surface with a low dryer for 3-4 min, and then two coats of flat black paint.
Mine is still stuck in the old ashtray.... I just wrapped it up before painting. now I have two ! I installed the other one without the lighter - looks so much better! I don't smoke and nor do I use a power cable .... blue tooth radio is all I need.
