How to clean the rubber on X52 Controllers

Unsure where to post his; I'm using FSX.

What is the best way to clean the sticky Rubber, due to handling....on the Saitek X52 controllers ?

Unsure where to post his; I'm using FSX.

 

What is the best way to clean the sticky Rubber, due to handling....on the Saitek X52 controllers ?

Sticky rubber? Is this on a handle? I would use IPA. Isopropol alcohol. Get the good stuff, usually 95-98% pure alcohol not rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains oil.

'Mister Zippy - clean in a second!'

Hahaha

Unsure where to post his; I'm using FSX.

 

What is the best way to clean the sticky Rubber, due to handling....on the Saitek X52 controllers ?

It is not due to handling (well, maybe partially). Whatever rubber saitek uses degrades over time, and it will break down whether handled, left out unused or in a box. The first 2 are a little worse because the sticky rubber attracts dust.

You could either clean with ISO and elbow grease, or use something oily like goof off followed by a degreaser like simple green. You will have to do it more and more frequently as the stick gets older, but eventually you will rub all of the sticky rubberized plastic away, and you will be left with the slick hard plastic underneath.

You could accelerate the process by using scrub pads or the like, steel wool, emery cloths, but I wouldn't advise trying to remove it all in one shot. I have an old x45 that I did this with and there is hope.. (until the pots start going out, but that's another story.) I used 91% ISO from a local drugstore (strongest I could find) and used the green side of a green and yellow scrub pad. I did that about 4 times and on the last one I followed with the goof off/simple green. I think i used full strength or maybe half dilution.

ISO on mine too.

Best,

Phil

Wrap it with duct tape and you eliminate any wear-n-tear (due to age) and can skip all the 'solvents' and maintenance routine. Use my head (hehe).

Chuck B

Napamule

Sticky rubber? Is this on a handle? I would use IPA. Isopropol alcohol. Get the good stuff, usually 95-98% pure alcohol not rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains oil.

Thanks to all of you for advice, have used Isopropyl neat solution and taken all the rubber off down to the black shiny plastic because when partly cleaned and rubber dried, still sticky. conclusion after 10 years of use, the large rubber areas where your hands go have de-composed. The controls have always been as new but the rubber coating failed. I used a "rough" cotton pile tea cloth when the wife was not watching, rubbed carefully but vigorously to remove all rubber down to the black shiny plastic, taking care not to apply the liquid to any other areas, when dried, a small amount on a soft cloth with kitchen spray polish and the controls look brand new. To attempt to dismantle the controls is unadvisable, so clean all the Throttle area of rubber only and clean the Stick rubber area where your hand sits only. Very pleased with the result.

It is not due to handling (well, maybe partially). Whatever rubber saitek uses degrades over time, and it will break down whether handled, left out unused or in a box. The first 2 are a little worse because the sticky rubber attracts dust.

 

You could either clean with ISO and elbow grease, or use something oily like goof off followed by a degreaser like simple green. You will have to do it more and more frequently as the stick gets older, but eventually you will rub all of the sticky rubberized plastic away, and you will be left with the slick hard plastic underneath.

 

You could accelerate the process by using scrub pads or the like, steel wool, emery cloths, but I wouldn't advise trying to remove it all in one shot. I have an old x45 that I did this with and there is hope.. (until the pots start going out, but that's another story.) I used 91% ISO from a local drugstore (strongest I could find) and used the green side of a green and yellow scrub pad. I did that about 4 times and on the last one I followed with the goof off/simple green. I think i used full strength or maybe half dilution.

Abolutely correct worked well with mine, now brand new controls in fact I prefer the black to the rubber.

Abolutely correct worked well with mine, now brand new controls in fact I prefer the black to the rubber.

Second the above.

Just rubbed the x52 sticks down with rubbing alcohol and looks as new.

No need to destroy a X52. My 16 year old X52 below. Good going over with baby wipes. Looks great, removes stickiness. Done!