Plastic Tool Case biodegrading itself?

[Jeff]

I've had this mini kit for many years. Within the past 4 months it's been living on my workbench, where most other tools live and work. While cleaning the bench it seemed like I had spilled something on the case. No spills noted. I touched it. I smelled it. Very sticky, like 3M spray sticky. No smell.

I tried soap and WD40 to clean. Mediocre results. 91% isopropyl alcohol took the majority off, but left a sticky residue.

Is this common? Bad plastics? Too old? The middle red plastic has no issues, only the black.

 

[Steve_P]

I have had that issue before with some plastic and hard rubber products- including an Ez Red cordless light. Some plastic mixes break down over time without ever seeing any harsh solvents. I'd assume the newer products today are better, but we'll know in a few years.

 

[unslow1]

I've had good luck with those orange citrus based degreasers taking the stickiness off.

 

[geneg]

Plastic is outgassing. Similar to the stinky screwdriver handles. Some say that a soak in Murphy's Oil Soap helps it. Also, the multitude of vinyl cleaners/conditioners can help. Whatever you do- don't use an agressive solvent, it will never end!!!

 

[geneg]

Contrary to what liberals want you to believe, plastics don't last forever...

Try mineral spirits and a rag. That plastic looks like ABS or polypropylene. Any chance you exposed it to acetone?

Yes, stay away from acetone, carb cleaner or anything that is a strong solvent. The above suggestions of citrus products are good. Even goop or go jo hand cleaners work.

Plastics do not last forever---- look at some 70's - 80's GM vehicle interiors. Things break & crack without even being touched.

 

[southalabama]

Had a survival radio with hand crank only used when needed. Took it out and it was sticky. The plastic was melting. I tried and tried different products but there was no stabilizing the situation.

 

[4xdog]

I've had this mini kit for many years. Within the past 4 months it's been living on my workbench, where most other tools live and work. While cleaning the bench it seemed like I had spilled something on the case. No spills noted. I touched it. I smelled it. Very sticky, like 3M spray sticky. No smell.

I tried soap and WD40 to clean. Mediocre results. 91% isopropyl alcohol took the majority off, but left a sticky residue.

Is this common? Bad plastics? Too old? The middle red plastic has no issues, only the black.

Probably a urethane overmolding, if it’s like the little FACOM kit in my gear. Possibly a RIM process (reaction injection molded)., but more likely a PU TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).

Polyurethanes can self destruct through an internal degradation of the polymer (sort of an uzipping of the molecules). Sometimes called hydrolysis of the urethane. In my experience it’s irreversible and terminal.

But FACOM have a lifetime warranty. I’d give SBD / FACOM customer service a call and see if they’ll replace it.

 

[reclaimer]

Had a survival radio with hand crank only used when needed. Took it out and it was sticky. The plastic was melting. I tried and tried different products but there was no stabilizing the situation.

Think I have the same one from Eton, lol. It got very gross.

 

[rust in the eye]

This is a common occurrence on lots of soft touch auto interior bits. Once deteriorated it can be washed off with some determination and strong cleaners, avoid solvents or you'll have a different gooey mess.
OR you just send the tool box here; https://stickynomore.com/

 

[neophyte]

I've had good luck with those orange citrus based degreasers taking the stickiness off.

Yes, stay away from acetone, carb cleaner or anything that is a strong solvent. The above suggestions of citrus products are good. Even goop or go jo hand cleaners work.

Plastics do not last forever---- look at some 70's - 80's GM vehicle interiors. Things break & crack without even being touched.

Some citrus based cleaners will eat plastic to destruction.
If you want to try them, test on a very dmall unnoticable area first, and weight a bit to see if there is a reaction.

 

[Jeff]

But FACOM have a lifetime warranty. I’d give SBD / FACOM customer service a call and see if they’ll replace it.

Good tip, thanks. The inside is in excellent condition.

 

[4xdog]

You'll note, @Jeff, that your case has a molded-in recycling tag reading >PC-PBT+TPU< at the top left of the black baseplate, by the tip of the 1/4" driver. That refers to polycarbonate-polybutylene terepthalate + thermoplastic urethane. PC and PBT are tough engineering-grade injection-molding polymers. The TPU is the black overmolding that's turning to goo on yours.

Typical urethane degradation. Unrecoverable.

But this case is still in use by FACOM -- I got a set similar to yours a few years ago -- so a replacement "should" be offered to you. There's even a Craftsman version using a different color combination.

Here's mine:

 

[bonneyman]

Dang, those are sweet sets, guys! Sockets and bits, driver handle and ratchet - with extensions - in a small easy-carry case. Very nice!

 

[4xdog]

Dang, those are sweet sets, guys! Sockets and bits, driver handle and ratchet - with extensions - in a small easy-carry case. Very nice!

Fershure, @bonneyman. And the largest socket is 14mm, so the set is useful on my Toyotas (and other Japanese stuff). A lot of Euro-based compact sets stop at 13mm, which one will probably never need on a Japanese vehicle.

The set shown by @Jeff has a "conventional" 1/4" drive FACOM ratchet. The one I show has one of FACOM's "rotator" 1/4" ratchets, where one can turn the handle to move the ratchet either direction.

 

[4xdog]

Same TPU-overmolded case in the simlar-but-not-identical Craftsman V-series set.

V-Series™ 1/4 in Drive Metric 6-Point Tool Set (38 pc)

Tackle any job that comes your way with this V-Series™ 1/4 in. Drive SAE 6-Point Tool Set (38 pc.). As dependable as the brand itself, the tools in this set were built specifically for the consistent pro-grade results you need. Get the perfect balance between versatility, strength, and ease of...

www.craftsman.com