sticky rubber grips on gamepad

[Tempest]

I have an old, expensive gamepad with rubber grips. The gamepad is at least 5 years old. It has been functioning fine and having the same consistent grip over the years. Recently, I've been playing Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 with the cheap but durable Logitech F310, which is well over 10 years old and all smooth plastic. I had to use the F310 to remap the keyboard controls to the gamepad because Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 lack native support for gamepads.

Today, I noticed an update to Atari Vault and played some DLC with the expensive gamepad. Unfortunately, the rubber grips are now a bit sticky. Apparently this is a relatively common problem, where rubber degenerates and becomes sticky over time. I thought maybe it was because I didn't use it in a few months. There are all sorts of ways to try to remove the stickiness ranging from baking soda to xylene, but this issue makes me want to just use cheap plastic controllers from now on.

The F310 is fine except it lacks rumble. I paid a lot of money for the gamepad with rubber grips. Such a bummer. I'll probably try to clean it and if it doesn't clean then I'll give up.

[Komrade]

So, do you have a question?

[Tempest]

More just venting, but I do wonder if there would have been a way to prevent this. Perhaps storing the gamepad in a ziplock bag? The gamepad including 2 returns, totaled over $100.

[Tempest]

The gamepad was stored in a loosely closed plastic bag, which was in a case.

[Komrade]

Tempest님이 먼저 게시:

More just venting, but I do wonder if there would have been a way to prevent this. Perhaps storing the gamepad in a ziplock bag? The gamepad including 2 returns, totaled over $100.

Probably just store it in a cool and dry place.

[Tempest]

It was by a window, so maybe that was a bad place to store it.

[Komrade]

Tempest님이 먼저 게시:

It was by a window, so maybe that was a bad place to store it.

Yeah, lots of condensation can happen on windows. Also can get hot from direct sunlight.

[Snow]

https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffect/mods/60
Not just full controller support, but also according UI changes like power wheel.
And yes, the same thing exists for each ME game. You'll love it.

[Tempest]

Thanks, Snow.

Actually, I am fully aware of that mod. The F310 uses the Logitech Gaming Profiler Software and has preconfigured layouts for many games, including Mass Effect. For Mass Effect 2, the software could not recognize it for some reason. I was considering using the controller mod over at Nexusmods, but there are compatibility issues with ALOT and it breaks mouse and keyboard support. There is also a slight delay in accessing the control wheel. You need a mouse, or in my case, the touchscreen, in order to complete the minigame where you match symbols, so I just configured the F310 on my own. This way I was able to customize it to my liking and I'm satisfied with the result.

[MancSoulja]

If it's any consolation a similar thing happened to a rather expensive pair of headphones of mine.

I have a hook on the back of my monitor, probably for cable management, but I used to leave my headphones there, left them there for a couple of months straight without using them and when I came back to use them the heat from the monitor had stripped all the leather off the band and the ear cups. They look like I found them in the bin now.

[Tempest]

Oh, that's terrible. My controller is from MadCatz and it has these unique features. The position of the D-pad and the joysticks can be swapped, and it is compatible with the Xbox 360. No other controller has these features. MadCatz is no longer in business, and the controller cannot be purchased new, anymore. That said, the build quality is terrible, and I would not mind buying a different gamepad. I need one with the sticks in parallel, but with Xbox 360-like buttons, like the F310.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Just keep them in a bag and stored in a cool dry area.

Over time, every game pad will wear out if even a little at a time. I take then apart when I feel the need and spray the analog stick areas and trigger areas that have the springs inside, with silicon spray. Then work the sticks around in a full circle motion a few times in each clockwise and counter-clockwise to work in the lube. Then wipe away any access that became runny. If the rubber on the sticks wears out you can easily replace the tops of the sticks for cheap.

If need to clean other parts due to sweaty gunk, greasy feel... this is the time to do it as it's easier when all apart and you can simply take all the loose plastic parts such as, dpad, the loose buttons (don't remove the triggers, or you may loose the springs when they fly off, so watch those) and the two shell halves and simply put into a bowl and wash with warm water and liquid hand soap. Blow dry if needed before reassembly or otherwise allow all parts to dry.

If need just a little cleaning of the outside of a controller when it's already assembled. Can use warm water and make rag damp, but ring it out so the water isn't runny. Or use isopropyl alcohol.

[Tempest]

Wow, you have some serious experience. Thanks.

[hawkeye]

Oil can contribute to degradation e.g. from skin, hand wash, rubbing hair, nose, eyes, food etc.

[Tempest]

It was unexpected because I hadn't used it in a few months and there is a huge difference in how it feels. I have ancient Xbox 360 first party gamepads and several Logitech gamepads, all plastic, and all feeling the same like the first day they were bought.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Sometimes something sitting around in storage can be just as bad as heavy every day use.