Analog sticks...melting?

[cmdrdredd]

So I noticed on my oldest PS4 controller the analog stick was slimy. I cleaned it and it was ok. Today I notice it is slimy again, almost as if it is melting. My other controller never has this and it's not oil from hands or sweat etc because it wasn't in use for a couple days. Is it possible the material is actually melting somehow? It's not in the heat, my house is always 76F which should be no problem for them.

What gives? Has anyone ever heard of this?

 

[EXCellR8]

humidity? 76F would be too hot for me, but that's really the only thing that comes to mind.

 

[cmdrdredd]

It’s weird because I’ve never had it happen before with any controller

 

[Schfifty Five]

Probably just the chemicals/materials breaking down over time.

I noticed on some of my old mice that the rubber grip on the side where your thumb grips starts to peel/flake and also has kind of a greasy/slimy feel.

 

[EXCellR8]

It’s weird because I’ve never had it happen before with any controller

is a bit odd... I don't think I've noticed anything on my controllers aside from the label on the back starting to wear down over time. my oldest one arrived before I even got the console but, to be honest, neither of my DS4 controllers have that many hours on them.

...I noticed on some of my old mice that the rubber grip on the side where your thumb grips starts to peel/flake and also has kind of a greasy/slimy feel.

that's caused by regular use and could very well be oils from your skin or even your skin alone wearing down the material. My older Logi performance MX mouse is in rough shape like that also, the rubber grip is worn, some of the finish is coming off and the main buttons have been smoothed so much to the point where you can see exactly where my fingers rest. all of the lettering and/or logos have rubbed off as well.

 

[purbeast0]

Not sure about that but the DS4 is probably the biggest piece of shit controller in the past decade+.

 

[EXCellR8]

how so? I don't ever recall disliking it. and don't get into ergonomics everyone has different shape/size hands...

I'd say the DS3 all the way back to PS1 were way worse, but hey w/e

 

[purbeast0]

how so? I don't ever recall disliking it. and don't get into ergonomics everyone has different shape/size hands...

I'd say the DS3 all the way back to PS1 were way worse, but hey w/e

Battery in it is complete and utter shit and they fall apart very easily.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Battery in it is complete and utter shit and they fall apart very easily.

I don't think I've ever played enough in one sitting that the battery meant anything in any controller.


Anyway the gunk is back on the controller even when I never used it. Might be time to ditch it and replace it. I do have a second, newer controller without this issue.

 

[purbeast0]

I don't think I've ever played enough in one sitting that the battery meant anything in any controller.


Anyway the gunk is back on the controller even when I never used it. Might be time to ditch it and replace it. I do have a second, newer controller without this issue.

You don't have to. The battery drains and dies when you aren't even using the controller.

 

[Nashemon]

My Gamecube controllers have this issue. Clean them up and they just get sticky again. I've experienced the exact same thing with the wheel on many computer mice I've come into contact with.

I have all of my retro systems set up in the attic (which is finished, but not heated or cooled), including the Gamecube controllers, where it reaches pretty extreme temperatures depending on the season. I don't know the science behind why the analog sticks or mouse wheels do this. I'm sure you don't need to ditch the whole controller, though, as you could probably easily just purchase replacement sticks. Even from a broken or non working controller, the sticks are likely verifiably ok.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You don't have to. The battery drains and dies when you aren't even using the controller.

Dunno how long it takes, I didn't play my PS4for about 2 weeks and never charged the controller. Started playing and 2 hours later the battery wasn't dead *shrug* That's good enough for me.

 

[EXCellR8]

Haven't noticed any battery issues either but I suppose it's a valid point if you use it for hours at a time. I also have a dual controller charger tho that I use to store the controllers so I typically just put them on that when I'm not playing anyway. Overall, I feel like the DS4 are the best playstation controllers yet. Was never crazy about the touch pad or the L2/R2 triggers but I've gotten used to them.

As for the "melting" thing I'm sort of stumped; not sure what would cause that under regular circumstances.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I don’t even know if they are actually melting but something keeps reappearing on them.

 

[Fallen Kell]

As stated, just get a replacement stick cover:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/DualShock+4+Analog+Stick+Covers+Replacement/22675

The rubber in the original DS4 controllers is known to be bad. You are simply noticing it breaking down. About 9 months after the PS4 was launched, a revised controller was released where-in the rubber was changed and some of the other plastic buttons were slightly modified for better support.

 

[Ichinisan]

I've had this kind of sudden deterioration with Logitech MX Revolution and some other mouses with textured rubber.

 

[cmdrdredd]

As stated, just get a replacement stick cover:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/DualShock+4+Analog+Stick+Covers+Replacement/22675

The rubber in the original DS4 controllers is known to be bad. You are simply noticing it breaking down. About 9 months after the PS4 was launched, a revised controller was released where-in the rubber was changed and some of the other plastic buttons were slightly modified for better support.

Both of my controllers are much newer than that. I had a launch PS4 which is sold off, then got the white one with destiny which I traded in toward a Pro and I replaced a controller last year so both should be the newer ones. Oh well.

 

[Stg-Flame]

I have a PS3 controller that had this happen. But instead of slimy, the sticks are really really sticky. I've cleaned them several times but it only seems to get worse every time I clean them. I think I had the controller a whole six months and it was rarely used before I noticed it.