MPC X Red side panels sticky?

Hi folks wondered if anyone has encountered this? MPC X has been under a decksaver for most of its life - purchased new around 2019 but rarely used but yesterday took off the decksaver and found that on both sides about half way up the red plastic surface is sticky. I gently used a slightly damp microfibre cloth to try to clean it and noticed the cloth has a small amount of red on it where presumably the red paint / dye is coming away.

The X has been on its own stand for about 2 years but before then it was on a desk and although it was what id say 'clean to look at' when I put it on the stand, when it was on the desk possibly this is where I may have rested my hands so possibly a build up of dust on top of grease?

Am a little miffed as I try to take care of my hardware - I have decksavers for most of my gear, just wondering if anyone has experienced the same, am also wondering if its worth fitting new side panels either the plastic or wood panels (not sure if its worth the risk of taking the unit apart).

No Lampdog literally never smoked

You can try to use baby powder to help with the stickiness or 91/99% rubbing alcohol to clean it.

Sweaty Palms? lol

it could be my palms are extra sweaty but yeah to anyone who has an mpc x of the same age or younger definately give it a gentle clean to avoid whats happening to mine (in particular the red plastic bits - the rest of the unit is absolutely fine even the buttons and pads are as new - its v odd) - im sure it wasnt like this even the last time i used it which was several months ago but dust and grease and plastic seem to do wierd things together!

MJ76 wrote:it could be my palms are extra sweaty but yeah to anyone who has an mpc x of the same age or younger definately give it a gentle clean to avoid whats happening to mine - im sure it wasnt like this even the last time i used it which was several months ago but dust and grease do wierd things together!

Don't forget the rooms humidity.

B-Wise wrote:

MJ76 wrote:it could be my palms are extra sweaty but yeah to anyone who has an mpc x of the same age or younger definately give it a gentle clean to avoid whats happening to mine - im sure it wasnt like this even the last time i used it which was several months ago but dust and grease do wierd things together!

Don't forget the rooms humidity.

Yep, I mean I live in the uk so it doesnt get to like florida levels of humidity - plus all my other hardware - completely fine and like I say even the buttons and pads are absolutely A1 condition (youd think if I had sweaty or greasy hands those would be the first to show it) it just real odd, am temtped to say its related to the paint finish on the red sections because to be honest the whole area where its red feels almost 'tacky' when compared to the rest of the unit

Maybe putting some clear tape over the red part may help.

Right now, my side panels are kinda dusty and sticky. I could clean them, but I haven't been using the Mpc much lately. I've been just finishing tracks. I smoke/vape. So there is that, and I live in Vancouver. I'm pretty sure I could just clean it off and its all good though. I'm not sure what your using to clean your unit, but maybe it's that.

Today was the first day i used anything at all, in the past ive just used a microfibre cloth with no cleaning product or water as the unit never looked dirty - just occasionally dusty but as ive always had the decksaver on it - it rarely gets exposed to anything - if yours is sticky just be careful, like i say just a slightly damp microfibre cloth and a little friction was enough to start rubbing the colour away - and the stickyness is still there because if i rub any harder it will take more paint off ...thats with no cleaning product just cloth and a tiny bit of water

I'll just spit shine the b*tch

I’ve had exactly the same issue - a strange sticky residue on the red plastic sides, like when you put duct tape on something and then take it off. And like you I’ve had a decksaver on it since i got it. It is odd to be sure.

sparky wrote:I’ve had exactly the same issue - a strange sticky residue on the red plastic sides, like when you put duct tape on something and then take it off. And like you I’ve had a decksaver on it since i got it. It is odd to be sure.

Maybe its Akai’s way of punishing users for not using it but jokes aside, it's just something about the material that they used. Putting some clear tape that's designed not to leave a its own sticky residue may be the best workaround.

Maybe Akai has some advice for preventing this mess, but I wouldn't count on it.