Remove sticky goopy gunky rubberized coatings and paint.

Lets fix sticky rubberized plastic. We remove the nasty coating matte rubberized from my helmet that was so popular a while back. Its turned to goo now. Lets wipe it off! This sticky paint mess was on my helmet, but I have had this goopy paint on my gopro camera, and on my BMW E46 center console too. I'm sure you had a sticky plastic computer mouse, sticky tools, or even sticky phones or other gadgets. I tried removing this coating with regular mineral spirits, paint thinner, oven cleaner, tar and bug remover, carb cleaner, and lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner is clearly the best choice of the cleaners and solvents I used. This is legit Lacquer thinner - maybe an older formula, Not sure is the Acrylic Lacquer thinner is as good, but it's worth a try! Do this on a test area before you dive in head first... and for safety sake - WEAR GLOVES!
Here's affiliate links to help you out.
Restoration Shop Acrylic Lacquer Medium Thinner Automotive Grade Low-Temp Topcoat Thinner Quart - amzn.to/3laOD7h
LACQUER THINNER [NA-LTR128], 1 Gallons - amzn.to/32iAOLt

[@robertcarian289]

Thank you so much!!! This saved my helmet!! Thought all was lost and I would be stuck with a sticky helmet that I've only worn for a season. Got sticky over a few years of being in storage. Got it done in about 10min! Restored a rubberized full-face.

[@LaziestBassist]

I have a really nice turn table that this has happened to over the years and I HATE touching the thing. Thank you for this

[@robdude1969]

Awesome! Good luck with your de-finishing. That gunk was such a great invention that everyone used it. Too bad it was a ticking goo bomb.

[@stfu7800]

Thank you very much. I truly appreciate all you people that upload help videos and tutorials.. liked and subbed

[@robdude1969]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@chrisellingson123]

I have this problem with a few helmets. The horse helmet is due for replacement anyway; some helmets expire. The bike helmet has never taken a knock and seems to be okay for now. I've stripped my helmet down completely to get this horrid sticky mess off of it. You do not want any harsh solvents compromising the internal polystyrene structure as it needs to be able to absorb energy from impacts.

[@lexendagoc9757]

July 2024 badly need it😮

[@bieenmaill5374]

Tq so much i just use lacquer thinner to remove the sticky rubber at my helmet and its work without remove the original sticker.. tq so much bro for sharing🫡

[@davidtobin3397]

This idea works great. I recommend checking the born date of the helmet before starting. Helmets should be replaced every 5-7 years depending on how much you ride.

[@robdude1969]

Good point on helmet life. We use this one for putting around on a little Honda 50. Not for street or freeway use! Cheers!

[@brianalexandre1125]

Thanks for the helpful video and advice, Rob. I have a half-helmet (used only once) with a rubberized matte finish that turned to sticky gunk after sitting in my shed a few years with ZERO contact with any chemicals. With the matte finish already destroyed, I'll try your method as no amount of soap and scrubbing had any effect at all. The adage is true... "it takes a petroleum product to break down a petroleum product."

[@robdude1969]

Man, typical story. I admit, I really liked those surfaces when they were new!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

@@robdude1969 *You did this in 2020. How is the surface now? Did the thinner weaken the material? I'm deciding whether to do what you did or covering the whole helmet in stickers.*

[@robdude1969]

@@hulkhatepunybanner once the goo was gone, it was fine. Put your gloves on and wipe it off. You will be happy you did.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

@@robdude1969 *Thanks!*

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

@@robdude1969 *Next to a can of Dupli-Color lacquer thinner was a spray can of GOOF OFF Pro Strength adhesive remover. Spray on, wipe off. The helmet was de-rubberized in 15 minutes. Then 2 handwashes using Dawn Platinum to get that petro off and make that matte black uniform.*

[@geneg721]

Thanks for the idea. I was going to buy a new beanie. Saved me some beer money. I used Goo Gone and it worked with some elbo put into it. Took an hour to NuShine finish.

[@TwoOnTheTar]

Wish I found this sooner. Thank you!

[@thomasmurie4728]

Definitely going to try this, just purchased a klr650 and the previous owner sprayed all the plastics with rubberized coating, lacquer thinner should work to clean it as I can scratch it off with my thumbnail. Will be trying this tomorrow

[@robdude1969]

Oh gross! Good luck and have fun with your new bike!

[@SteveFloresCoach]

I tried isopropyl alcohol, paint thinner and acetone with not good results. The bets out of those was alcohol but it's nowhere near as fast as the lacquer thinner you tried. I will definitely get me a can and give it a shot. I have several parts for my VW that needs a lot of help. thanks for the video!

[@robdude1969]

good luck!

[@lunarvue]

WD40 works too. Then clean it with warm water and Simple Green

[@georgibotev9286]

Thanks for sharing! Lacquer thinner worked for me.

[@robdude1969]

Yes! I love lacquer thinner!

[@TheZ4R4K1]

Exactly what I'm looking for

[@robdude1969]

nice!

[@fnk101]

Thanks

[@jonedmondson8387]

Thanks! I have 4 different helmets doing this

[@natashalion8028]

I just saw another video where the guy said nail vanish remover works as well, I watched him use it.

[@Mia-Taylor-Love-Live]

Acetone works too

[@6marparts]

Thanks very much!

[@oliveoil7872]

Will this remove the hazy film of headlights?

[@pamrestovich2774]

Can you use lacquer thinner on the rubber of an electric wine opener?

[@07Convertable]

Are you using just plain old shop towels for this? My favorite helmet has the same issues. Thanks. Great video.

[@Rave_Junkie]

Will this work on motorcycle farings ?

[@ArmoredOne]

wonder if isopropyl alcohol will fo the job

[@The.Rambling.Poet.]

At that point, why not use a magic rub eraser?

[@robdude1969]

doubt that will work.... solvents break down the goo, I do not think abrasives will.

[@xXxjjTHEjetPLANEXxXx]

My helmet has this on it I accidentally took a lot of paint off using rubbing alcohol oops. I'm going to paint it anyways though haha thanks for the info. I'll definitely be using the laquer thinner next time

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*GOOF OFF Pro Strength adhesive remover.*

[@miamisammy4020]

Thanks for the post! Did you try nail polish remover? (Acetone). I’d like to salvage the rubber coating. But haven’t found anything that addresses that.

[@robdude1969]

Try it. I believe you will have success. Test a less obvious area first in case it discolors the surface below.

[@Knappenberger412]

Acetone nail polish remover works. But it works too well. It removed the paint entirely from my helmet.

[@paullee4366]

Q: if your helmet has sticker type graphics, will the thinner take the graphics? I would think so, but I see your DOT and other tag stayed

[@robdude1969]

Test it and see before you go all in! You can always repaint once it’s cleaned up if a sticker faded. Good luck man!

[@JohnnyBuschi]

WD-40 works well. I used it on my batting helmet that got gunky over time.

[@Beachboy23]

Paint thinner sir dont work?

[@robdude1969]

It depends on the paint thinner…

[@zingerzte4192]

I think it would have come off easier had the lacquer thinner been poured over the helmet first

[@robdude1969]

Totally agreed except I didn’t want to soak liner or trim. Thanks for watching. Enjoy!

[@chicken7002]

Aaah, stop it! I hate that squeaky noise.

[@j4zzx297]

Seems like a bit of a waste. If the rubbers gone off, I doubt the foam inside is in much better condition. It would be safer to just buy a new one

[@robdude1969]

You bring up a very good point. While the video demonstrates a helmet, so many things were soft matte coated. My gopro, remote controls, car interior parts, and kids toys were covered in this amazing product. This stuff was amazing when it was new, but now it SUCKS. Thanks for the comment, I hope you get your goo off too.

[@dinkydoo112]

Headphones all sticky

[@robdude1969]

You got this!