Many years ago I replaced all the dash switches that turned white... and now the new one's are turning white.


Now 25 years later, I can't get new switches from the dealer...


Aside from spraying them, how do you keep your switches nice and black?


I've used everything... including Mothers Back To Black.


Thanks

 

My guess is that the original coating is wearing off, revealing the white plastic beneath. Question: do you use a lot of hand sanitizer or bug repellant? Both of these are known to react with paint... especially the stuff inside the car. I'd clean those switches and repaint them as often as needed, and hit up the pic-n-pull for good spares.

 

Thanks. This is due to UV exposure... they're the OE hard plastic toggle switches in the dash.

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I'd try some of the tricks that the 97+ guys use to restore faded exterior trim: baby oil, peanut butter, "back to black", heat gun, etc

 

Thanks.... actually, Mothers "Back to Black" didn't do anything - the liquid just rolled off the switch. The switches are hard plastic.

What I did use is some Shin-Etsu grease I bought for applying to door weather seals on my JK.. to prevent leaks. I couldn't believe this brought my XJ's hard plastic switches back to life. I just used Q-Tips and coated the switch with this white creamy grease, let it sit for 30 minutes and wiped it off...

It's not deep black like they were new, but it made a huge difference.

I'll post up some progressive photos when I'm done applying this to the four switches in question.. Two are done.

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OK... here's what they look like before applying Shin-Etsu.

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This is just applying a small amount on the face of two switches..

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This is after applying Shin-Etsu over the switches and outer frame and allowing to soak for 30 minutes. Then I wiped them clean..

They appear to be getting darker over time since the grease is absorbing into the plastic.

I applied this four days ago... they look pretty good.

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wow that's gorgeous!

 

Yeah... I never even thought about using this stuff. I bought two tubes from Amazon a year ago. I've never even used it on my JK.. no need to because it doesn't leak. It works great on weather seals.. many of the guys over on the JK forms swear by this stuff because JKs tend to leak.

I read about using peanut butter, petroleum jelly or heat... but then I remembered I bought two tubes of this Shin-Etsu grease and decided to take a chance - knowing this is used for window tracks and weather seals.

Damn... I was ready to pull those switches out an take a heat gun to them - I'm sure glad I didn't.

I'll see how long this Shin-Etsu stuff lasts before they start turning white again..

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And you might want to think about some really light window tint,It will block just enough sun and uv rays to protect your interior.

 

Not bad result man. Does applying more would make it darker?

 

Wow! Great trick. I have some shinetsu on my workbench right now.

 

I'm going to check that out. I'll apply it again this weekend and see if it darkens up more.

I'll report back.

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Yeah... I need a car cover since it sits outside now.

Recommendations on a good outside cover would be appreciated.

Thank you.

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