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Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Dirzl
Initiate

Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Hi all, this may not be related to technical issues, but I noticed my Orbi's exterior material has became sticky when I touch it.

 

Has anyone else encountered this issue ?

Message 1 of 38
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Which model Orbi do you have? 

How long have you had it? 

What is the environment like where the Orbi is? Warm or Humid? 

Can to take a picture of this case and post it here? 

@Blanca_O 

Message 2 of 38
Dirzl
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

I have the RBR50 and its satellite.

I had it for around 2 years+. 

The environment is humid but nothing too warm in terms of temperature. It is placed in an open area at a height.

 

I'll take a photo when I am back 🙂

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 3 of 38
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Please post a picture when you can. 

Message 4 of 38
net88Blu3jay
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

My Orbi is sticky also same age.

Slight humidity. sydney Australia

Message 5 of 38
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Something to contact NG support about. 


@net88Blu3jay wrote:

My Orbi is sticky also same age.

Slight humidity. sydney Australia


 

Message 6 of 38
shellyj
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

        My RBK50 is also sticky on surface.  Purchased Jan 2017.  Never in direct sun but near window.  In So Calif beach area - not too hot or cold, not very humid.  Support no longer available.  Not sure if it can be cleaned and no way to contact support due to age of product.  Added photo.

Message 7 of 38
drydocked
Aspirant

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

FWIW, I purchased mine around the same time, both it and the satellite are tacky. Have not tried cleaning it yet.

Message 8 of 38
tonak7777
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

It’s old cheap rubber paint used to give the housing a soft touch like feeling. It degrades over time and gets sticky. No way to fix it. It will get worse over time. 

Message 9 of 38
yousaiditman
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

I had the exact same issue with my Orbi RBR40, both router and satellite.  I've had it for a year and noticed it become stickier as time progressed to the point that it was like duck tape when you picked it up.  I suspect its this rubber coating that is slowly melting or degrading as the unit gets hot when it use.

 

Obviously a manufaturing defect in the coating they decided to use on the product.  I called in an RMA and Netgear sent me a replacement.  We will see if the replacement gets sticky after a few months, as the outer coating is the same as my original router.

 

I see some posts point out humidity as a factor but I live in southern california.  It didn't say on the box that the routers should only be used in desert conditions, so the humidity comments seem dumb.  More a screw up on Netgears part when the did the design and decided to coat the outside of the plastic housing.  Anyway, I will update this if I find it's getting sticky again.

 

Thanks

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 10 of 38
jbermo
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

I too live on the Southern California coast and have Orbie's that have become sticky /tacky to the touch.  There seems to be no way to remove the annoying tacky coating except with a brick.

Message 11 of 38
SamIngl
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Purchased in 7/2017 from Amazon, so the unit is a little over 2.5 years old.  When I read your question, I went to look at mine and noticed there were cat hairs sticking to the unit in tufts.  I tried to gently wipe them off with a cloth and a gooey layer of the router smeared off, embedding the hairs.   Now I have cat hair, streak marks from the wiping cloth and a fingerprint embedded on the unit.  The Orbi is on a desk, near a window but protected from sun.  I know that plastic degrades but this accelerated decomposition is not what I expected from my super router from Netgear.  Might this be a manufacturing defect? 

Model: CBR40|Orbi AC2200 Tri-band WiFi Cable Modem Router
Message 12 of 38
kapoleian
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

     I bought a sticky yellow router & satellite off e-bay for cheap and am now experimenting with how to remedy.  Fooled around with it for a few minutes.  Liberal use of acetone seems to destroy and gum up -- but not remove -- the sticky finish.  However after it dries it can then be sanded off with 120 grit. 

     I'll keep fooling with it.  If I can't get a nice looking finish, I'm sure I can at least get a spray-paintable finish and I'm handy with a rattle can.

     I have a new Orbi router and Voice.  They do not have the velvet touch finish, just plain hard white plastic.  I do not expect problems from the finish.

 

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 13 of 38
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Make sure the paint if lead free. 


@kapoleian wrote:

     I bought a sticky yellow router & satellite off e-bay for cheap and am now experimenting with how to remedy.  Fooled around with it for a few minutes.  Liberal use of acetone seems to destroy and gum up -- but not remove -- the sticky finish.  However after it dries it can then be sanded off with 120 grit. 

     I'll keep fooling with it.  If I can't get a nice looking finish, I'm sure I can at least get a spray-paintable finish and I'm handy with a rattle can.

     I have a new Orbi router and Voice.  They do not have the velvet touch finish, just plain hard white plastic.  I do not expect problems from the finish.

 


 

Message 14 of 38
dendypopzarlis
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Just wondering if anyone ever got a fix for what seems like a manaufacturing problem? I've 3 units around my house which I've had for nearly 3 years and all of them are sticky, one is so sticky, it's turned yellow! They all look really ugly now and whilst they still operate, it's put me off the ORBI's. I've tried cleaning them as gently as possible but it just makes them look worse. Thanks

Message 15 of 38
kapoleian
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

I bought a router-satellite pair; both had a very yellow stick finish.  I only wanted the satellite.  I decided I had to clean up both, and I needed to make the one I was selling look good.

 

I tried several things.  What finally worked was:

1.  Scrub the sticky finish off with fine steel wool and acetone.  Use the acetone liberally.

2.  After getting as much as you can, let it dry.  It will look horrible.  However, when the residue dries it will be hard, not sticky.

3.  Use masking tape over the openings in preparation for the next step.

4.  Sand off the hard residue.  I used an orbital sander, started at 100 and moved up to 220 grit.

5.  Use a knife or thin metal piece to scrape the residue out of the cracks.

6.  Blow dust out of cracks and holes.

7.  Remove tape.

 

It was a lot of effort, but the end product was nice and white.  Pictures attached.

#

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 16 of 38
Grootdee
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Same here, Europe, Netherlands. Warranty void. Not a very durable product I guess...
Message 17 of 38
CTcat
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky-Tale of Two Orbi.

I have two orbi devices. One which has never received direct sunlight (not stick at all. still velvet to the touch) and the other which has received direct sunlight on its upper half (sticky and now collecting dust and other debris).  Have been dusting and trying to wipe clean for months.   Went on line and saw various remedies includling the ascetone/sanding suggestion.  No way for me but clever idea.

My partial solution; use a  clean white cloth and white household vinegar to gently clean with soft strokes in one direction until debris and dust are collected into a little gummy mess.  Then use a toothpick to pick the gummy mess up and discard.

It will not correct the sticky situation but it looks a little better.    

This is only a partial solution.   If Netgear is sending replacements (at least one user got one)  that do not have the velvet, rubbery finish,  please let me know.  I will gladly experiment with the finish.   I am on Corona-time.

 

Message 18 of 38
TheWhizzMoreKid
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Same problem here in the UK - I don't know why manufacturers persist in using soft touch surfaces, they never last the distance. I've had so many items from Wacom pens to these routers with what is initially.a nice finish, but one that turns into the worst there is.

 

Come on Netgear - and others - either test the material first or stop using it if you can't. No one wants this sticky mess.

 

Best.

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 19 of 38
miggytosh
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

+1 for the casing going all sticky and gross. Definetly seems like a manufacturing issue. Bummer is that it looks so terrible I want to hide it but need to keep it out in the open for best signal. Pre-COVID several visitors noticed and commented on how icky it looked. Not expecting anyone to purchase Netgear products based on what they saw with mine.

Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 20 of 38
Mikey94025
Hero

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Rubbery products unfortunately often get sticky over time (it's just the nature of the coating).  Here are some other suggestions for how to clean them (I haven't tried them): https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Clean-Sticky-Rubber/

Message 21 of 38
TheWhizzMoreKid
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

That link has a good step by step guide on eradicating sticky rubber! I note my second RBS50 - recently purchased to extend coverage further - is not covered in the rubber texture.

 

The rubber texture can make basic plastic feel more expensive, but as it doesn't seem to last, we're best off without it.

 

Thanks.

Message 22 of 38
dastoors
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Yes! I have the exact same issue. In fact both units have become sticky and cannot be earned. The routers look filthy as a result. Very embarrassing!
Message 23 of 38
skamel
Initiate

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky-Tale of Two Orbi.

Jumping on the sticky Orbi bandwagon... Satellite partially exposed to sun has become one big messy dust attracting gunk covered box... Beyond warranty period, so not thinking of exchange - so looking for ideas to clean up the sticky stuff and prevent further deterioration...  Living in So Cal... 

Model: A6150|AC1200 Dual Band WiFi USB Mini Adapter
Message 24 of 38
Jamaldnb
Guide

Re: Orbi RBR50 material became sticky

Came here to add to the sticky list. I really do believe this should be a warrantied issue. Too many sticky Orbi units. I have also had mine for a couple of years and it’s super sticky. I used a little rubbing alcohol and a lint feee cloth to clean up the sticky hair and dust, so it looks “clean” but it’s stickier than duct tape. It also has a yellow tinge to the coating. In a relatively low humidity place and not in direct sunlight. Didn’t expect this unit at the price to have such a cheap outer build. I’ll be contacting customer support to see how they’ll deal with it. Netgear has been good in the past... maybe if this is known issue and they are unwilling, class action?
Model: RBR50|Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 25 of 38
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