Sticking push buttons

Hello all.  Does anyone else have the problem of sticking cupboard push buttons after the 'Winter rest'.   It must be a simple thing to rectify, but not wanting to cause damage, I wondered if you had any tips on how to free them. It seems that its not actually the button but the plastic catch on the inside that is sticking.   Must get them fixed before the first outing of 2015.    

I'm watching for replies with interest - that type of catch is extremely unreliable, if my experience is anything to go by - more so in recent years, too.

On my early-mid 90's vans most of the failures seemed to be breakage of the internal plastic "latch" so they would no longer latch shut - but these were relatively rare. On more recent vans (e.g. the Celex which although not an A-S uses essentially the same catches) the problem is not being able to pop the button out, which is really annoying if you need to get at whatever is inside...

I suspect that there is probably a moulding sprue inside somewhere that hangs up and stops them opening, but my short-term solution is to buy spares (they are less than £4 each, IIRC) and just replace any that start to feel "notchy" before they become unusable. I think I've replaced four or five on mine in the two years that I've owned it!

Hmmm... In similar circumstances to yours, I usually give the cupboard a good thump with my fist, near to the catch. It often works. Then, of course, lubricate.

I had the same problem last year, I lubricated with a bit of WD40, it was sought of alright but as soon as the weather warmed up and we started using the van they were ok.

Thanks all, so a good thump ad a shot of WD / Silicone.  Precision engineering at its best.

JDS wrote:but as soon as the weather warmed up and we started using the van they were ok.

When we had our habitiation check last year the guys said the push buttons were not effective due to the cold but would free up when it got warmer. And yes it did make a difference, no spray no thumping just hot air! Funny that! Maybe if Dr Stephen Hawking is reading this he can give an explanation?

Have the same problem here after leaving all the cupboards open over winter. I put it down to the foam strips around the cupboards expanding as after they have been left closed and compressed the foam they no longer stick never used any spray on mine.

Mike

I have the same buttons and catches on my boat and swear by LIDL's own silicon lubricant rather than WD40 as it tends to be less greasy and it is also very useful on things like external zips as well. Before I was forever thumping the doors to get them unstuck.

Do you apply the spray to the catch, or to the sticking edges of the cupoard door, or to both?

burlingtonboaby wrote:Silicon spray works well without the smell

Cheers, first trip this year to...... Bridlington.  Great site.  Be there in March.  

A few of the cupboard buttons have stuck in our Briadway FB. I found it easy to just take them apart, clean out any gunk and lubricate with a silicone grease. I found that wd40 attracts dust and the catches start sticking again.
Allan

If you take them off, there is a spring inside, lubricate well with say WD40 and the button itself, wipe off any surplus and replace, work the button a few times until you are happy with it's operation.

hope this helps.

One of ours failed completely.  Mark from Auto-sleepers sent a replacement at ridiculously low cost...Indeed, it was worth buying a few for the same postage, so we have spares for when needed, as more will surely go in a 15 year old van.  I seem to remember that four handles, plus postage cost around £21.  Since a failure in our handles results in swinging cupboard fronts, it is good to have a reserve box of spares!

mikejack wrote:Have the same problem here after leaving all the cupboards open over winter. 

Mike

After reading somewhere "its a good idea to leave locker doors open over the winter" I experienced the catches not working in our Nuevo too.... Sorted itself out eventually. Have since always kept them shut over the winter months and not had any issues since.

CC

Only one of ours sticks and yet we use the van a lot of the time. WD40 does dissipate after a while so silicone would be better me thinks. Dust will be an issue with any lubricant unless you can find some dry silicone spray. Pledge or similar may well work?
Cymro; if the same prob as ours the lube needs to be inside the catch.

Jaytee wrote:Only one of ours sticks and yet we use the van a lot of the time. WD40 does dissipate after a while so silicone would be better me thinks. Dust will be an issue with any lubricant unless you can find some dry silicone spray. Pledge or similar may well work?
Cymro; if the same prob as ours the lube needs to be inside the catch.

I think that the likes of Pledge etc will 'gum' up and attract dirt.
This might be a better option:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-silicone-spray-400ml/13662

I have used it for various applications, although not for sticking motorhome catches!!

PB

Found this thread after a search (yes, I listen to advice ) because one of our overhead locker catches was stuck solid on Sunday. I only had a WD40 pen with me so I took the catch apart and used it. It was certainly better but I remain unconvinced it was the right long term solution, hence checking how other have resolved the problem. Perhaps a wee touch of good old 3 in 1 oil?

Seems this problem is universal especially this time of year. On collection of our van, a couple of the catches were sticking. Initially took them apart then applied a squirt of lithium spray that did the trick. Where one button was still slightly sticking, I loosened the two fixing screws half a turn and the catch sprung into action.

Just spotted this thread.

Sticking catches have been common in winter (and occasionally in summer) in two vans over the last 9 years.

Easing the fixing screws always releases the catch so it must be to do with temperature reducing the flexibility of the plastic - can't leave them flopping about though.

As it happens, the week before last I attacked the worst offender with virtually every manner of lubricant know to man (in turn of course and with a thorough clean in between). It was not happy with any of them and they gave a 'sticky' feel to the operation. By far the best operation was with the plastic 'dry'.

We were away for a few days last week and with comfortable temperatures in the van all was fine.

After trying all the lubricants Peter mentioned, plus a few more besides, I took mine apart and gave the latches a (very gentle) taste of the belt sander. I just made their cross section a fraction smaller so they were a rather sloppy fit, and could therefore slide much easier without binding.

It worked.

Dave

I too have always used the thump and grease method but understood WD40 was actually a degreaser so have always used silicone spray - usually bought from screwfix! I am sure the experts will be along to correct this assumption....