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.
Thank you. I thought I had missed a spill or something.
ReplyDeleteNot 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks, I just pulled mine out in this snowstorm and yuck!
ReplyDeleteThanks! 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!
ReplyDeleteTip for cleaning sticky Eton/Red Cross FR-160 radios:
ReplyDeleteI 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.