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

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

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Bart, Nov 24, 2008.

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  1. Bart

    Bart Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,522
    Orange County, Calif
    Full Name:
    Bart
    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
     
  2. 4re308

    4re308 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 13, 2001
    4,885
    Woodstock, GA
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    Mitch D
    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.
     
  3. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 3, 2002
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    Carbon McCoy
  4. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2003
    43,755
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    Dave M.
    WAIT!!!

    Do you need to tell us all something???

    Do you have a steady girlfriend??? :D

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

    Dave
     
  5. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
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    Frank
    I think you mean 348, 355 and 550 . I have never heard of the TR having sticky interiors.
     
  6. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
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    HUBBSTER
    TRs have some sticky bits too
     
  7. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 3, 2002
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    I'd be insulted if that wasn't so clever. :)
     
  8. ferrari1978

    ferrari1978 Guest

    Aug 25, 2008
    89
    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....
     
  9. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
    2,069
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    Jim

    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.
     
  10. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran

    Dec 8, 2003
    7,203
    On the Rock
    Full Name:
    James
    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....)
     
  11. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
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    Frank
    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
     
  12. lusso64

    lusso64 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2004
    1,535
    Simi Valley
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    David
    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 :D

    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
     
  13. lusso64

    lusso64 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2004
    1,535
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    David
    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....
     
  14. paulie_b

    paulie_b F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 13, 2003
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    Paul Bianco
    360's also.
     
  15. paulie_b

    paulie_b F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 13, 2003
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    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.
     
  16. kosmo

    kosmo Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2008
    1,569
    BIg D
    #16 kosmo, Nov 25, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2008
    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.
     
  17. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    If you plan to have children don't touch or wiff these melted parts...
     
  18. P3+J3^u!

    P3+J3^u! Karting

    Apr 2, 2008
    52
    Mockingbird Ln
    I've been told plastic may be slightly toxic (search the page for "PBDEs" or "phthalates").
     
  19. paulie_b

    paulie_b F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 13, 2003
    6,842
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    Paul Bianco
    without reading all of the threads on this subject, what causes this?
     
  20. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    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.
     
  21. Bart

    Bart Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,522
    Orange County, Calif
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    Bart
    Thanks to all. I will be busy this Thanksgiving.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.

    :)

    12 cylinders or walk
     
  22. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I heard that place is the bomb!!! :D:D:D:D
     
  23. Miner_31

    Miner_31 Formula Junior

    Jun 27, 2008
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    Mike
    They have cool videos too!
     
  24. ferrari.ace

    ferrari.ace Karting

    May 25, 2006
    232
    So.Cal.
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    Adam Cox
    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???
     
  25. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
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    Han Solo
    How much you want to bet it was Armoral?
     

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