cleaning suction cup

 

I have started to have the problems others have mentioned of the suction cup not holding very well. I have had it since Christmas. I am wondering if maybe it would help to clean the suction cup. Before I do, I wondering if there are any do's or don'ts for cleaning it. Just soap and water, glass cleaner?

Deborah
Houston, TX

keep it simple

Use good old fashioned soap & water. Cleaners may have some chemicals that over time might cause the rubber to degrade.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

I use rubbing alcohol to

I use rubbing alcohol to clean the metal base and then apply armorall to the rubber suction cup.

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NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT

cleaning

I clean mine with rubbing alcohol, works great and sticks very good

Write Garmin

DJKM wrote:

I have started to have the problems others have mentioned of the suction cup not holding very well. I have had it since Christmas.

If you've had it since Christmas, there's a good chance you have the old style with the bad rubber compound. I had the same problem plus it would leave a 'rubber ring' on the windshield. I wrote Garmin and they sent me a new one, free of charge. They said "We are using a different type of rubber than in previous designs". I've had the new one since July and not one GPS drop; plus no more 'rubber-ring'.

Good luck.
RT

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"Internet: As Yogi Berra would say, "Don't believe 90% of what you read, and verify the other half."

Yeah, I got a new free one

Yeah, I got a new free one as well.

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Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

Remember to clean to glass

Remember to clean to glass also. Film builds up on it which can cause you trouble

Don't remove it

Mountainman wrote:

Remember to clean to glass also. Film builds up on it which can cause you trouble

I just leave the mount permanently attached to the windshield and just remove the unit and take it with me.
Double Tap

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"Ceterum autem censeo, Carthaginem esse delendam" “When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

Suction Cup Mount

Double Tap wrote:
Mountainman wrote:

Remember to clean to glass also. Film builds up on it which can cause you trouble

I just leave the mount permanently attached to the windshield and just remove the unit and take it with me.
Double Tap

Just be aware that thieves sometimes target those vehicles with mounts in their windshields since often times people are lazy and just "hide" the unit inside the car somewhere. And by "hide" I mean inside the console or glovebox! Plus, even if they stole the mount and FM traffic receiver/MSN reciever, that unit alone to replace would set you back about $200.

I guess if you live in an area with really low crime this is not an issue (maybe not for Double Tap) but near Washington DC, they'll steal your cigarette lighter!

Key board wipes But also....

I use a key board wipe! It comes in a tear open package and I clean the cup and windshield. By doing that dirt isn't an issue. But also I learned to remove it from windshield on hot days because the heat will expand the cup and when it cools back it seems to loose it's grip. By taking it off and putting it back, it seems to avoid that. Plus, I like to keep it out of site of would be thieves.

Thank you everyone

Thank you for all your suggestions. I do have the problems with the rings on the glass, and I will write Garmin and see if they will replace as well.

Deborah
Houston, TX

Chapstick Works Well

I read somewhere to use chapstick on the suction cup so I tried it and it worked well. It doesn't stick in hot weather but still stays tight until you release suction. Downside is that it leaves rings that are probably worse.

cleaning suction cup

I too was having problems with the suction mount staying on the windshield, kept falling off. After cleaning the suction mount with just soap and water, it's been staying on the windshield, no problems. It's even withstanding the 100 degree LA weather lately.

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bombos, Garmin nuvi 1450LMT