Sticky Switches, Buttons and Panels.
How to get out of the mess
Background
The black or graphite buttons and switches of the 2010 model year and later were designed to have an upmarket soft feel, so that they are not viewed as 'cheap, scratchy plastics'. Very laudable on Jaguar's part and very tactile on the showroom-fresh car.
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But that finish is not durable and here we are some 10 years later and the soft feel has become somewhat sticky and unhygienic, and it needs to be removed.
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There are specialists who can do this for you for a fee, but you can remediate the issue yourself at little to no cost.
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I would expect my approach to also work to work on the X250 XF and the X351 XJ models and may also work on other brands. However, before jumping in you need to check how the plastics are constructed. It appears that the Jaguar ones are made white with the black finish applied to the top. The white part is then the switch legend that shows through. Other brands may differ and there is a risk that you may end up scratching off the legends.
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The affected areas will be the switch control panels on the steering wheel, including the background part. Also the buttons on the console by the infotainment screen and the buttons on the Transmission Control Module, such as the Dynamic Mode button. Power window buttons in the doors are also affected. There are other areas which I haven't looked at yet - the gear indicator quadrant and the stop-start button are all for another day.
What do we need?
Firstly, do not use anything metal. No craft knives or metal tools which will damage the switch surfaces. You'll need:
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A new/cleanshort-pile microfibre cloth
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One of more wooden toothpicks
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A used but very clean toothbrush
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A glue and tar dissolver (e.g. Blackjack)
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Tissue paper
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WD-40
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Time and patience. Allow to spend 90 minutes on each site of the steering wheel for example.
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Excellent ventilation, open windows, lower convertible top.
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You work at your own risk. It goes without saying, but I said it anyway.
How to do it
There is no wipe-on wipe off solution that I am aware of. Not all surfaces in the car may be equally bad. Start with the worst affected. Tackle all the switches in a bank to avoid them looking different to the untouched ones.
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The picture at the beginning shows the left hand steering wheel control panel before I started.​​
The whole thing is sticky and is attracting dust. The very left has puckered up and oozed onto the silver surround.​ You can see fingerprints where I have pressed it.
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Step 1
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Ensure sufficient ventilation. Cut a piece of tissue paper or cotton cloth to the shape of the panel. Spray it with the glue dissolver. I use Duel Automotive Blackjack. I have tried other products but this one stands head and shoulders above the others. Leave this paper in place for 2-3 minutes to soften the soft finish, then remove.
Step 2
Take your cocktail stick and scratch away at the soft plastic that is probably now very messy.​
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​As you scratch away, you can wipe away at the residue to clean up. I spray more Blackjack onto the microfibre cloth and rub firmly.​ Use the toothpick to get round the edges of the buttons, which will also need scraping too, using the bevel of the toothpick where appropriate (hold it at slant).
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​After scratching, scraping and wiping, you will be rewarded with something that starts to look like this.
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​Further finessing with the cloth and using the toothbrush bristles in the gaps around the switches will leave a very acceptable finish. The whole clean up becomes easier if you leave the globules of soft goo to harden up as the Blackjack evaporates away. You can always re-moisten afterwards if required.​
Finally
Once the residue has dried and Blackjack has evaporated away, any remnants of goo can we wiped away with the dry cloth or brushed away with the toothbrush.
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Cleanup with a little WD40 sprayed on the microfibre cloth to restore lustre.
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Products
In the past I have used Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Wipes followed by methylated spirits. I used this to do the right hand control panel on the steering wheel a couple of years ago. Blackjack is speedier and will be less expensive.
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