This may sound trivial, but it's bothering me more all the time...

The volume **** on my radio has darkened from frequent adjustment. It's not like I go around with filthy fingers or anything like that, but it seems like it looking at that **** compared to the other ****.

I took the **** off and scrubbed it with all kinds of cleaners with no real improvement. It seems the rubberized surface has absorbed dirt to the point of no return.

Does anyone else have this problem? And does anyone know of a way to make it look new again?

 

This is real odd and if you've tried everything it might be time for a new one.

 

I noticed the same thing when I bought my '04 XF a little over a month ago. I did try some 409 to try to clean it off with no luck. Maybe it's not "dirt" but some kind of reaction of the "rubber coating" on the **** with the natural oils on our fingers. At this point I've decided not to worry about it. Now if it's easy to get new **** and it doesn't cost a lot of $$$, I will replace it.

 

Midnight,

Try this cloth. It works wonders. If this doesn't work, buy a replacement. I don't know if the dealer sell the **** only, but if they don't, buy a used OEM radio from e-bay.

http://miraclecloth.com/

 

FP, the discoloration seems to have been absorbed into the rubberized coating of the **** and I don't see anything about the cloth's ability to clean rubber. In fact. the list the manufacturer claims to have best effects with are all hard surfaces.

But, I think I might have found an easy and cheap cure...

I'll be needing to bring my car in for a B service and oil change very soon, and hopefully, they will once again let me use a rental XF for the day. For some reason, I think the rental will end the day with a dirtier **** than it started with.

 

That's funny. If they don't give you an XF for a loaner, test drive one.

BTW, I was able to remove a burn mark from a cigarette (not mine) from wood with this cloth.

 

Try Sonus Leather cleaner...the key is multiple applications. Apply product to surface and let sit for 30 seconds. Scrub with firm foam applicator, then a toothbrush. The dirt should be removed when you clean the area with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat process multiple times. If you don't care about destroying the surface, at this point try a solvent like Goo gone. Maybe this will work, or maybe it will destroy the surface. Nothing's wrong with trying though. Good luck.

 

I had a dirty **** once!

 

And now you have two?

 

Paint it silver.

 

Hey seayyard, if ya get a dirty **** again try the technique that golfdude uses. I may keep you from getting a dirty **** again... Sorry I just had to say that. I wish they had that cure when I was in the Navy... LOL.

 

I was wondering what BIG PAPA PUFF meant. Now I know!!! LOL.

 

Somehow, I get the feeling that the intent of my initial post has not been taken seriously.

 

I just couldn't resist that one.

 

I have the same problem with my radio volume control.

Would a billet **** look out of place if you made one for each side of the radio?

Also, how does it remove, just pull it off?

I may be able to duplicate it in billet...depending on how it attaches.

SQ

 

Pull and wiggle (not you, the ****).

 

The car **** that is, right?

 

I noticed that problem when I got mine. I just switched the volume **** for the tuner ****. In a month or so, they were both the same level of grimy.
It is kind of gross to imagine what causes that darkening. I go with the chemical reaction to skin oils, as someone suggested.

 

The thing is, if ya clean it once in a while, it won't get grungy looking. I keep mine spotless all the time. Personally speaking, I would hate to have my bride get in the car and notice that the ***** are grungy looking, let alone anything else in the car. It would be a total turn off. Also, clean hands go a long way in helping to keep the ***** clean. I have an old 1975 Chevy rust bucket pickup that I use when I'm grungy. The thing is so ugly that I'm almost embarrassed to use it, but that is why I still have it, to use and abuse! 400,000 Miles, all original, tons of rust, 8 mpg, and runs most of the time... LOL.

 

You can order new ***** from Becker. The silver ones are part #1503.057-250. The black ones for base models are part #1285.815-250.