Bicycle Mechanics - How to clean sticky brake hoods?

Hey guys. I picked up a pair of used 105 9-speed STIs today - they were $60, and very, very sticky. The hood rubber is covered in some sticky coat that doesn't come out even with hard scrubbing under the tap or soap. Any suggestions on what to wash these rubber hoods with to get em' nice and clean?

Fire away! Thanks.

windex, 409, or something similar always worked for me.

Sometimes the rubber begins to break down and that's what the stickyness is. Other times you're lucky and it's just junk from the previous owners hands stuck on it.

Ken.

Sometimes the rubber begins to break down and that's what the stickyness is. Other times you're lucky and it's just junk from the previous owners hands stuck on it.

This is very true. You can also try products like Citrus degreaser from FinishLine or, if it's really bad, EcoTech II. Then soap and water.

Use prepsol. It's whats used to clean/prep car paint and trim (plastic and rubber) of waxes and silicones as well as grease and grime. Can find it at any of the larger paint stores or auto paint/detailer supply stores.

Update - well, tried just about everything - soap and water, windex, hard scrubbing, etc. - nothing worked. Finally (and resignedly) slapped em on my new commuter build with a big 'oh well'. Magically, woke up this morning after a night of the bike outside on the porch and the hoods are as smooth as new. I suspect something to do with the temperature. But hey, I'm happy. Thanks guys.

Update - well, tried just about everything - soap and water, windex, hard scrubbing, etc. - nothing worked. Finally (and resignedly) slapped em on my new commuter build with a big 'oh well'. Magically, woke up this morning after a night of the bike outside on the porch and the hoods are as smooth as new. I suspect something to do with the temperature. But hey, I'm happy. Thanks guys.

Maybe some guy came by and cleaned them off..?

Clean rubber tends to be a bit sticky. When the hoods on my bike are grimy from a few weeks of riding, they're pretty smooth. After I've scrubbed them, they tend to be quite sticky for a couple of days.