Has anyone else experienced this situation?

[smlobx]

Are you still under warranty?

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[Empty Pockets]

Yep. ‘20 Sport S pkg. the rubber started softening and deteriorating about 2 years in. I’ve just ordered button replacements from Amazon. These are not stick on covers but actual button replacements with no rubber coating. Search MOTOKU Switch Button For JEEP on Amazon. I have high hopes based on the reviews.

 

[DiscoSlug]

Same deal on mine, 2020 and they started peeling just after warranty period. The last bit of rubber on the switch isnt supported so over time it will wear off. It's inevitable.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I bought a nice set of spares, the whole panel, on eBay really cheap.
The guy parted out Jeeps - the switches were Like new.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Mill some bad ass billet replacements?

Now I want that. You’re mean.

 

[jav_eee]

57000 miles on my 2021 and nope. Don’t press with the tip of your finger where your nail hits it.

 

[Gatorized]

Yep. ‘20 Sport S pkg. the rubber started softening and deteriorating about 2 years in. I’ve just ordered button replacements from Amazon. These are not stick on covers but actual button replacements with no rubber coating. Search MOTOKU Switch Button For JEEP on Amazon. I have high hopes based on the reviews.

Can’t wait for your review and install tips.

 

[WILDHOBO]

57000 miles on my 2021 and nope. Don’t press with the tip of your finger where your nail hits it.

Only touch them with your soft, delicate, buttery skin.

 

[jav_eee]

Only touch them with your soft, delicate, buttery skin.

Pad of your finger, like a trigger

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I use a thumb.
It's more of a problem for my wife - she has no thumbs, and usually has long nails (and can't bend the fingers on her right hand, so she hits the switches in her JL with her nail)

I've noticed that some of the damage on the switches I've seen has been the oils in the fingers impacting the rubber, softening it and messing up the integrity of the rubber itself. Sweaty oily hands make the issue worse..

 

[Exceed Fabrication]

Mill some bad ass billet replacements?

Make some stainless steel buttons that last 100 years! That would be cool! I get excited just thinking about it!
I'm not sure if any company would be willing to do this, because it would require die casting, or CNC machining, neither of which is easy.
How many people need these? Say 'I want it'. If more than 30 people need it, we can add it to the development plan.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Make some stainless steel buttons that last 100 years! That would be cool! I get excited just thinking about it!
I'm not sure if any company would be willing to do this, because it would require die casting, or CNC machining, neither of which is easy.
How many people need these? Say 'I want it'. If more than 30 people need it, we can add it to the development plan.

I could imagine that 3D-printing (metal) would be an option.

Up to now I don't have this problem but I don't use the button too often but would be interested if the same issue appears in my car.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Make some stainless steel buttons that last 100 years! That would be cool! I get excited just thinking about it!
I'm not sure if any company would be willing to do this, because it would require die casting, or CNC machining, neither of which is easy.
How many people need these? Say 'I want it'. If more than 30 people need it, we can add it to the development plan.

I'll PAY for this -
My wife has a handicap that means she can't reach over to the center mounted window switches and easily use them. Her right arm has no working elbow, and her right hand is small, 3 fingers that have limited use and only inches from what would be her right elbow.
She can push a switch with a finger knuckle on her right hand by leaning way over to reach them, but pulling up, she can't get a finger under the switch to raise it up to close the windows. So for all practical purposes - Jeep JL and JT windows are totally inoperable for her from the driver's seat. It's the one reason she swore she'd never own one - but then she saw a purple (reign) JLU and that was that.

I have an idea to extend the window switches so that they are more of a lever sticking out - so she could pull up or push down, but it would require fabrication.
I bought a used switch array from ebay, came from a low mileage used Jeep, that could be used to test (although I hate to mess with the switches as the rubber on this is near perfect! I might try to find some trashed switches instead)

I have drawings and made an example out of aluminum strip that is really close and could actually work, but I'm no fabricator and my ET (essential tremor) has left me unable to continue the project.

I can see it being useful for others with handicaps, or similar "restrictions to movement", birth defects and so on. Not a huge market and I get that, so that's why I'm not looking for "free"......... If I was still working for Voc Rehab, I could possibly get some money to develop such a thing - adaptive equipment - but cuts and budgets means that guy was let go and they no longer deal with adaptive equipment for the handicapped.

Don't know if this makes sense or not, and it would only work for the TOP row, the front windows (that's all she cares about anyway)
but.............
push the switch as normal on the lower part - window goes down
Push on the added part, window goes up.
Not sure if it could actually work, but messing around with the spare switches on my bench gave me hope.
She especially can't pull up/out on the normal switch and hold it there, so I installed one of those 3W or whoever they are, auto-up switch modules. It helps, but she still has a problem just lifting up on the switch at all.

Sorry to hijack your thread!! But - it's sort of related LOL

 

[JTdiRtyD]

This is a common issue across a lot of automotive interiors. The oils left behind from common skincare products, as well as natural oils on our skin break down the material thats used on a lot of switches/handles/steering wheels, buttons etc. You see it more often with vehicles driven by women because they typically use more lotions and makeups that leave oil behind. Once it starts to break down theres really no saving it, you can only prolong the deterioration. It's one reason why it's important to clean everything often with a good automotive interior cleaner and use a protectant.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is a common issue across a lot of automotive interiors. The oils left behind from common skincare products, as well as natural oils on our skin break down the material thats used on a lot of switches/handles/steering wheels, buttons etc. You see it more often with vehicles driven by women because they typically use more lotions and makeups that leave oil behind. Once it starts to break down theres really no saving it, you can only prolong the deterioration. It's one reason why it's important to clean everything often with a good automotive interior cleaner and use a protectant.

I'm worse on interiors than my wife -since she retired, she's cut waaay back on that stuff. Me - I have naturally oily skin, I have to wash my hair daily, and I'm hard on cotton fabrics. Of course, I do some shop work, need to run in to town, hop in my JT and go -

I hope people see your post on this - as it is truly a thing.
Steering wheels, arm rests and so on - I'm hard on them. This example is only 27,000 miles -

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