In my '81 T-Top, the t-tops are surounded by plastic "roof" panels that appear to be covered with very thin leather or vinyl. They are extremely sticky, almost like semi-wet paint. I removed them and tried washing with Dawn and water. Dried them. Still just as sticky. Any ideas on what has caused is and how to correct it?
Thanks!

Do you know if they were re dyed? You can try a leather or vinyl cleaner. Or if the parts are still sticky after that, 3M makes an adhesive remover that I've used on many interiors for removing stains and sticky stuff. If you use this, just be careful not to remove any paint or dye. You can get this at most auto stores, or if you have an auto paint shop in town, thay'll have it there.

Good luck, it sounds like a really annoying problem. If any of that doesn't work, you'll have to either live with it, or replace the parts.

You can also try "GOOF OFF" It'a an adhesive remover that works pretty well. It comes in both solvent base and water base. Whatever you use, be sure to try a test spot first.

Goof Off works very well even on re-dyed interior pieces!!

Thanks guys. I'll try your suggestions.

Has anyone actually had this happen? It appears as if the leather/vinyl covering has degraded or something and turned it into a sticky substance. It feels like the stickiness is all through the material, not just on the surface. In fact, I think it I scrubbed hard with a scrub brush, it might just go all the way through the material. I'm wondering if it is mildew, although the car has been indoors most all it's life and nothing else has mildewed. Ideas?

If anyone else ever has this problem, I just solved it - I hope permanently - by washing them 2 - 3 times rigorously with denatured alcohol. The original luster is pretty much gone, so I'll be using a black vinyl/rubber product, but the stickiness looks to be gone.

Chesh-
My '76 L82 also has roof panels that have always been somewhat sticky. I've tried cleaning them many times & have always come to the conclusion that this is part of the material aging.

Laquer Thinner works great to remove anything for prep, I did my whole interior before restoring it to brand new. It worked great. I just carefully wiped them down with a clean rag and repeated the step and let them air dry. Repainted with interior spray, you cant tell it from a pros work.

I know I suggested Goof Off in here a while back, just wanted to let you guys know that while I was cleaning the frames for the compartment doors (carpet glue everywhere)so I could re-dye them, one of the pieces apparently had been dyed previously. The Goof took all the old dye completely off! No problem here, I refinished all of the parts anyway. Just test a small spot regardless of the product you choose prior to going at it full bore!

same thing on the 78 I just bought. The headliner was so sticky I could hang the rag from it. I used Bluemagic Leather & Vinyl Cleaner, purchased at Kmart for $2.00. I had to use several applications and scrub like hell, but the stickiness is gone and the color remained true.