Dissolving switch coatings

by Wayne Phillips
(Huntington Beach, CA)

Dissolving switch coatings

Dissolving switch coatings

I recently purchased a 1997 Maxum 30, and I have a puzzle I am trying to figure out. The helm switches for lights, instruments, pumps, etc. are plastic with a rubber-like coating. Recently I noticed the coating on some of the switches was dissolving, getting kind of "gooey", and can easily be peeled off. It appears to me to be some kind of chemical reaction. I asked my boat cleaner what he used for that area, and could his stuff have been a contributor. Of coarse he claimed his stuff was OK, said he has seen this on other boats he services, and says he has no idea what causes this. Any comments and/or advice would be appreciated.

Comments for Dissolving switch coatings

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Follow-up
by: Wayne

Thanks all for the comments. I ended up replacing 6 switch assemblies, and later found I could have just replaced the rubber toggle pars. I also had to eventually fire the boat cleaner because of dishonesty and unreliability. Boy, a boat is really a learning experience.
Oct 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dissolving rubber
by: Anonymous

its the type of rubber they are using on the switch...we have the same problem with jetski handle grips..they start doing it after time..feels gooey like tar or bubble gum after a while...its just normal. the more they are just exposed to sunlight the quicker it seems to happen. we have had some grips for years and some don't last a couple of years when it happens.
Mar 23, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Power boats
by: Power boats

There are some chemicals present in the air or water which causes the dissolving of the metal.
Feb 11, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Your on the right track
by: Anonymous

- good picture, you right, it's most likely caused by chemical reaction. Acetone, Pre-Kleano, VinyLux 355, Mineral Spirits, and other products will cause this damage.

better protection from the sun and refraining from harsh chemicals would help avoiding this type of damage.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Electrics Forum.