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Eton Microlink FR160 Radio -- Sticky Residue

Emergency Preparedness & Gear

Eton Microlink FR160

Handcrank Emergency Radio — Reviewed

✓
Overall Verdict
2
Issues Found
1
Fix Required

I bought an Eton Microlink FR160 handcrank radio for my emergency kit a few years ago, and it's been great overall. However, there's one significant issue I've encountered — and a fix that actually works.

The Problem

Sticky Residue

Over time, a sticky residue developed on the radio's external surface, which was driving me nuts. At first, I thought there was something wrong with the device.

Eton radios are coated with a substance designed to improve grip. Unfortunately, this coating degrades over time and turns into a sticky mess — a known issue across the product line.

The Fix

Isopropyl Alcohol & Cotton Balls

Researching the problem online surfaced a straightforward solution. Isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls remove most of the degraded coating effectively.

  • → What you need — Isopropyl alcohol (70%+) and cotton balls or a soft cloth
  • → Tradeoff — Some surface paint may be lost in the process, but the radio is functional and no longer tacky

Worth noting for anyone buying used or storing long-term: inspect the coating condition before relying on the unit in an actual emergency. Sticky grip material can clog buttons and ports if left unaddressed.

Solid emergency radio, one known flaw — isopropyl alcohol clears the sticky coating; keep it in the kit.



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Comments

  1. GayleFebruary 8, 2016 at 1:55 PM

    Thank you. I thought I had missed a spill or something.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LKFebruary 8, 2016 at 9:54 PM

    Not a problem. I almost made the same mistake and threw away a perfectly good radio. The Internet sometimes is great for finding info like this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. jhaller@io.comMay 28, 2016 at 8:25 AM

    I got a handful of goo when I pulled this radio out of the drawer for a routine check. As you might have imagined, I was delighted to easily find this post with the instant explanation and solution. I thank you for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 4, 2018 at 4:27 PM

    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carolyn WillardFebruary 15, 2021 at 10:05 AM

    Thanks, I just pulled mine out in this snowstorm and yuck!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dave WibleSeptember 15, 2023 at 4:25 PM

    Thanks! I'm so glad your post came up right away when I Googled this issue. I must have filled 6 cotton pads with the black gunk before it was clean!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChBaldwinAugust 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM

    Tip for cleaning sticky Eton/Red Cross FR-160 radios:
    I tried the usual isopropyl alcohol (70%) and it helped some, but what really worked was a Purell cleansing cloth. It completely removed the sticky goo, left the surface slick and clean, and all the red coloring stayed intact. No paint loss, no residue. Just a wipe and it’s good as new.

    ReplyDelete

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