Sticky buttons, peeling buttons, worn off symbols. Fixed on your original parts.
The soft touch coating on car buttons breaks down, goes sticky, then peels and takes the symbols with it. We strip it, recoat the original part and laser etch the symbols back on. We also laser grain into leather and vinyl repairs so the patch matches the rest.
Sticky and peeling button restoration
- Buttons feel sticky or gummy to the touch
- Coating is peeling or flaking off
- Symbols have worn off or are hard to read
- Black residue comes off on your fingers
What we do
The factory soft touch coating on switches and trim is a thin rubberised layer. Heat, sunlight and skin oils break it down. It goes sticky first, then it peels and the printed symbols go with it. We strip the failed coating right back, prepare the part, recoat it with a finish that does not go sticky, then laser etch the symbols back on to the original font and position. Backlighting shines through the etched symbols the way it did from the factory. You keep your own parts, so fitment, wiring and function do not change.
Your options, laid out honestly
- New OEM parts
Expensive, often on back order, and the replacement frequently carries the same coating. It can go sticky again within a few years.
- Dealer or overseas refinishing
Often quoted in the thousands, plus freight both ways and weeks without the car or the parts.
- DIY cleaning
Solvents and cleaners strip the coating and take the symbols with it. The soft touch feel is gone and the symbols do not come back.
- Perth Leather laser restoration
Keep the original part. Permanent finish that does not go sticky. Symbols laser etched back on in the original font and position, with backlighting intact.
Cost comparison
| Option | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| New OEM switch or panel | Reported by owners as expensive and often on back order. |
| Overseas or dealer refinishing | Reported by owners as quoted in the thousands, plus freight both ways. |
| Perth Leather laser restoration | Quoted from your photos. No obligation. |
Figures shown are attributed reports from published owner accounts, not our quotes. Our price depends on the number of parts and their condition.
Parts we handle
- Window switches
- Climate control panels
- Console buttons
- Air vent surrounds
- Steering column trim
- Door handle trims
- Glovebox releases
- Gear surrounds
Cars we see most
The soft touch coating problem shows up most on Italian and German prestige cars from the late 2000s onward, but the same coating was used on plenty of everyday makes too.
- Italian sports cars and grand tourers
- German prestige sedans, coupes and SUVs
- British luxury SUVs and saloons
- Everyday Japanese, Korean and American makes with soft touch trim
Perth Leather is an independent workshop. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer. Make and model names are used only to describe the parts we work on.
Button restoration questions
Why do buttons go sticky?
The factory soft touch coating is a thin rubberised layer over hard plastic. Heat, sunlight, sunscreen and skin oils break it down over time. It softens and goes sticky first, then it starts to peel. Once it peels, the printed symbols come off with it. It is very common and it is not caused by anything you did.
Will the backlighting still work?
Yes. We laser etch the symbols back through the new coating so the light from behind the button shines through the symbol shape, the same as it did from the factory.
Do you keep my original parts?
Yes. We restore the exact parts out of your car. Fitment, wiring and function do not change because nothing is swapped.
How long does it take?
Most sets of switches and trim take 5 to 10 business days from when we receive the parts. Larger panels or bigger batches can take longer. We confirm timing with your quote.
Can you post parts from interstate?
Yes. The car does not need to be here. Remove the parts, or have your mechanic do it, pack them well and post them to our Carlisle workshop. See the posting section on this page for what to send and how to pack it.
Will it go sticky again?
No. The new coating is not the same soft touch rubber that failed. It is a hard wearing finish chosen so it does not break down into a sticky layer.
Send us photos of the affected parts
A quote from photos is free. Post the parts in from anywhere in Australia or drop them at our Carlisle workshop.
Grain matched laser texturing on leather, vinyl and plastic
Why a good repair can still look wrong
A repaired area can be colour matched perfectly and still look wrong. That is because the grain is missing. Filler and a grain pad leave a smooth, flat patch, and under raking light your eye catches it straight away even when the colour is spot on.
How laser texturing fixes it
We map the grain of the surrounding original material and laser that pattern into the repaired surface. The repair then carries the same texture as the panel around it, so it reads as one surface instead of a patch. This applies to leather seats, vinyl, plastic trim and dash tops.
This capability is rare in Australia.
Black plastic, before and after laser texturing
After
BeforeDrag the handle to compare. Same part, same light: the only change is the grain.
Surfaces it applies to
- Leather seats and bolsters
- Vinyl seats and marine upholstery
- Plastic trim and door cards
- Dash tops
Laser texturing questions
Can you match the grain of my leather?
In most cases, yes. We map the grain pattern from the original material next to the repair and laser that pattern into the repaired area. The closer the sample area, the closer the match. Very fine or unusual grains are quoted from photos first.
Does laser texturing work on vinyl and plastic?
Yes. Vinyl grain matching and textured plastic trim are both suited to the process. Dash tops and door cards are common jobs.
Is this the same as a grain pad?
No. A grain pad presses a generic texture into filler and it rarely matches the surrounding surface. Laser texturing reproduces the actual pattern from your material.
Get the grain right, not just the colour
Send photos of the damaged area and the surrounding leather or vinyl. We quote from those, no obligation.
Post your parts in from anywhere in Australia
Button and trim restoration does not need the car present. Remove the parts, pack them and post them to our Carlisle workshop. We restore them and post them back.
What to send
- The affected switches, panels or trim pieces only
- A note with your name, phone number and email
- Photos of the parts in the car before removal so we can confirm orientation
- Any clips or screws in a labelled bag if they came off with the part
How to pack it
- Wrap each part separately in bubble wrap or soft cloth
- Do not let parts touch each other in the box
- Use a sturdy box with padding on all sides
- Use a tracked service and keep the tracking number
Where to post
Perth Leather87H Briggs St, Carlisle WA 6101
Please send photos first so we can confirm the job and give you a reference to write on the box.
Return freight
Return freight is tracked and is added to your quote at cost. We confirm the return address with you before dispatch.
Ready when you are
Photos of the affected parts are all we need to quote. Sticky buttons in Perth or anywhere in Australia, and grain matched repairs on leather and vinyl.
Perth Leather is an independent workshop. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer. Make and model names are used only to describe the parts we work on.