[MDF164]

Could someone please recommend a suitable product or technique for removing some sticky adhesive from the face of my tachometer. I am fearful of damaging the tachometer cosmetically using an inappropriate solvent or tool. Please advise. Ty.

[Maynard]

You can probably find more specific advice here in this subforum http://www.2addicts.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=576

Personally, I'd start with simple interior cleaner, or rubbing alcohol, and test it on a spot at the edge first to be sure it doesn't fog up the plastic.

[K8_M235i]

Originally Posted by MDF164

Could someone please recommend a suitable product or technique for removing some sticky adhesive from the face of my tachometer. I am fearful of damaging the tachometer cosmetically using an inappropriate solvent or tool. Please advise. Ty.

What kind of adhesive? Kind of a strange place.

Like most things I would start by using the least harsh method and work up from there.

Glass cleaner, goo gone, solvent based instant detailer, rubbing alcohol, wd40. Somewhat in that order.

I would apply product to a microfiber towel and avoid spraying directly on to the tach face to prevent a messy cleanup of a cleanup lol

[MDF164]

I believe it is the adhesive used by BMW on a clear sticker placed on the interior glass that gives a BMW Assistance phone number and a warning to not lock passengers in the car and to be mindful of pets before adjusting the seats. The car is brand fn new and I had the windows tinted at a place with a good rep. My wife picked up the car and noticed a clear sticker crudely stuck to the tach. She unwittingly removed and disposed of it. Later, I noticed the goo left behind and questioned her. I suspect the tinter put it there not wanting to dispose of the message and was trying to place it in clear view...(and chose the tach...wtf!?).

[Rayscott]

Xenit. I use it for removing those PIA window stickers in my detailing business.

[morphomeman]

As always in such matters, you should take it back to the perpetrator, in this case the tinter, who should have the requisite expertise. Why should you have to deal with it?

[RossG1028]

I would use distilled water on a 100% cotton t-shirt.

[Ron Jeffries]

Oh come on. The distilled water is OK, although frankly I think a titrated solution of distilled water and pure ethyl alcohol would be more effective. And the only proper cloth would be pure silk. I’d recommend a scarf from Hermes, if you haven’t the time to go to Como and have one made. Of course, after one use, the scarf is to be disposed of. The cleaning solution, you can drink.

[MDF164]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

Xenit. I use it for removing those PIA window stickers in my detailing business.

Thank you for your response; however, the Xenit website says they do not recommend using on plastic. The tachometer face is likely plastic, right?

[MDF164]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

As always in such matters, you should take it back to the perpetrator, in this case the tinter, who should have the requisite expertise. Why should you have to deal with it?

I hear you morphomeman; however, my confidence in their expertise is waning, so I thought it best to throw it out to the forum after my attempt to remove the goo with a Zeiss lens cleaning premoistened wipe failed. I have contacted the tinter and he admits he intentionally placed the sticker on the tach and he has offered to rectify the situation. I feel compelled to proceed cautiously and get advice from another source. Thank you for your response.

[CP911]

Good old WD-40 works miracles on sticker residue. Have been using it to remove sticker goo since I was a kid and it has never let me down. Spray on a soft microfiber cloth and saturate a small spot on the cloth. Then, use the tip of your finger to gently push the soaked part of the cloth into the sticker gunk, basically dabbing it from the outside edge of the residue spot towards the center. The sticker residue will soften up rather quickly and with continued gentle dabs and swipes with your finger, it will basically liquify and lift right off and into the microfiber cloth.

WD-40 isn't abrasive and I've never seen it harm or even stain any type of plastic or metal. If you are gentle with the microfiber, you shouldn't have any damage to the plastic window. At the end, use the same technique with a damp (with water) microfiber cloth to remove the oily WD-40 residue off the plastic window surface. It will wipe right off and leave the surface dry and totally clean of all solvents.

I personally would try the above before wasting money on fancy cleaning products or asking for more trouble by taking the car back there.

Good luck!

[aerobod]

Using the sticker itself to remove glue residue is very effective. If you take an area of the sticker that is still sticky, touch it on the residue then quickly remove it with a snapping motion, then repeat a number of times, the residue will have an affinity for the adhesive on the sticker if it is pulled off in the right way, as it has a much higher tensile strength than shear strength.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

The cleaning solution, you can drink.

You mean Turpentine?

(Apparently this is a new trend)

[cxp213]

Water is the universal solvent so that's the first thing you should try if you're worried. I don't know why people keep recommending alcohol on plastic but that's not a good idea, especially if the concentration is higher. I'd try a glass cleaner, WD40, or GooGone.

Originally Posted by morphomeman

As always in such matters, you should take it back to the perpetrator, in this case the tinter, who should have the requisite expertise. Why should you have to deal with it?

Because it's a sticker... If a part of broken or damaged, I can understand but it'd be stupid to drive out to someone so that they can remove a sticker residue that you can do yourself in less than a minute.

[morphomeman]

I bet OP has by now spent enough of his time (and ours) to go back and forth to the tinter twice.

[Maynard]

Granted there is the 'they did it, let them fix it' ethos, but there is that 'they did it b/c they are idiots' thing to contend with. If tintman hacks up his dashboard and gauge face trying to scrape it off with an Xacto he'll regret it.

[Ron Jeffries]

Dremel, maybe?

[MDF164]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Granted there is the 'they did it, let them fix it' ethos, but there is that 'they did it b/c they are idiots' thing to contend with. If tintman hacks up his dashboard and gauge face trying to scrape it off with an Xacto he'll regret it.

This.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by MDF164

Thank you for your response; however, the Xenit website says they do not recommend using on plastic. The tachometer face is likely plastic, right?

Oh, I thought it was glass. You could be right. A plastic polish might work.

[MDF164]

Good news...the goo has been safely removed! A recap of the events starting, of course, with things that did not work....

1. Zeiss lens cleaning wipe (pre-moistened w/ isopropyl alcohol). The failure of which prompted me to ask for help.
2. Distilled water w/ 100 % cotten towel.
3. Glass cleaner w/ 100% cotten towel.
And then....
4. WD-40 w/100% cotten towel (and Q-tip applicators moistened w/WD-40 for the crevices), followed by microfiber w/glass cleaner and winner, winner, chicken dinner! Looking good...

Truly appreciate the help from the forum. Thanks for your time.

FWIW: Before allowing the dbag tint man to “rectify” his sloppy mess, I would have rather entrusted Ron J. and his Dremel tool to handle the clean-up. (But only if he sports a silk scarf and steadies his hand with a cleaner solution cocktail).

[Rayscott]

Good determination, glad you got it fixed.

[Maynard]

I suggest you now apply a solution of about 50% ethanol internally - preferably a single malt variety.