PS2 Sticky Thumbsticks

[Ziggy]

I've read about it before, but never had this issue until recently. The material of the PS2 thumbsticks breaks down and feels sticky. Anyone else have this problem with their controllers?

I've read about possible fixes, different things you can apply to the thumbstick, but it sounds like there's no 100% cure for it. So I'd like to go straight to replacing or covering them up.

That said, anyone have any suggestions for what to buy? I don't care if I have to replace the thumbstick, but I'm just worried about buying a sub quality product. I'd rather just stick one of those caps on there and call it a day, but the caps that I got don't fit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H1DHWX8/

That above listing says specifically that it fits PS2 sticks, but when I tried putting one on they seem to be too small. I've used them on OGXBOX controllers and they're great, they just don't fit the PS2 thumbsticks. So can anyone recommend a cap that actually fits the PS2 controller?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

[Gucci]

I’ve had it happen to very old controllers like the OG Xbox and a 360 controller. For the 360, I replaced the stick entirely. Never really used those covers. It added too much height and couldn’t get used to it.

I did a little research because of this topic. You can actually use DS3 sticks for the replacement but the length of the stick is slightly different. I’ve read the sticks are shorter on the DS3. I think it’s worth mentioning since I’m assuming replacement sticks for that controller is more abundant given it’s a newer controller.

[pierrot]

Just dropping in to note that I've had no end of trouble with PS2 controllers, and the sticky thumbstick thing is probably the least of those worries. This has happened to my left thumbsticks on dual shock controllers since probably college. Notably, the main PS3 controller I use does this also.

Aside from that, I have a total of four PS2 controllers that don't recognize inputs from face buttons and/or the d-pad because the traces in the flex PCBs corroded. (I practically live in the tundra, up in the mountains, away from the coast--.) Was never able to find any reasonable replacements for them.

[Anapan]

In all potentiometer parts, I liberally apply https://caig.com/fader-f-series/. I only buy the #F100L-L2C tubes, but I watch youtube videos where having the syringe tip would've been more effective. It has completely fixed all of my MadCatz controllers (I love the form-factors and their jump-to-axis built into the analogs). This works for the Gameboy handheld line's power switches, audio and contrast knobs. It works in all speaker volume knobs, and I've used it in most other potentiometers and many low-power switches. In most cases I didn't need to disassemble the mechanism, tho it would have been better if I did. Almost 100% fix except some totally moisture corroded parts I had to desolder and replace. For automotive window and door switches, I upgrade to dielectric grease as it handles higher voltages better all the way up to main battery contacts and starter parts.

For PS2 controllers, I just get some good aftermarket thumbstick caps from my favorite retro parts supply stores.

Just pasting in a conversations about sticky rubber with Bob from RetroRGB:

In all cases where the surface seems to look okay, and it needs to be finished. Try Aerospace Protectant. "303 (130340) Aerospace Protectant".
If it's greasy to begin with, use ISO and paper towels first, but this stuff can coat mostly anything. It's amazing as a top coat after any treatment or any fresh paint.

Speaking of grease residue, I saw this video about restoring the rubberized soft-feel late '90's controllers and consoles and I think despite not being sticky, these probably feel totally nasty after treatment. Can these be coated and fixed - doubtful.
https://youtu.be/nShlRVAcb1s

Murphy's Oil fixed sticky rubber for me. You'd have to disassemble everything, but it was 100% fixed after.

[Gucci]

Rubber coatings are one of those things that was a great idea at the time but ultimately was just not great in the long run.

I have an Xbox 360 fight pad that had the back covered in the rubber coating. It’s is absolutely disgusting.

I know I would need a significant amount of time to see how it plays out, but I’m curious on how the Xbox Elite controllers would be like in 10-20 years.

Anyway, regarding the thumb stick issue: it was many years ago but some guy used to sell sheets of stick on grip tape in a circular pattern for thumb sticks. The 3M kind or something similar to skate tape. They were made for thumb sticks that had no rubber at all, just the inner plastic surface so the adhesive would bond to it. Very dumb because that inner plastic part had a very small surface area to rest your thumbs on but would be counteracted by a much grippier surface. Didn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Just buy a whole roll of the tape and cover the entire controller in it

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