PS3 controllers: Oily analog sticks

[ClodBusted]

I've got to confess I've already posted this at NFG/GameSX, but nonetheless I would like to hear your thoughts about this topic.

 I've recently bought a used PS3 that came with two original controllers (1x Sixaxis, 1x Dualshock 3).
I discovered the sticks on both to be very oily. After going through the usual cleaning routine with a total disassembly, washing all plastic parts with dish soap (and rubbing alcohol where necessary), and reassembling the controllers, I found out that there's still emerging an oily substance on the stick shafts, right where the seam between rubber and plastic is.

This hasn't ever happened to me with any other controller with rubber stick caps before (Dualshock 2, GameCube, Xbox 360), but I know an old Logitech mouse of mine has developed a similar oily rubber problem over the years. Googling turned out that quite a lot people experienced this with PS3 controllers like I did, but the majority of them just shrug it off as a lack of cleaning, with no idea hinting to the real cause.

So, I would like to know if there's a proper way of curing the problem. Are there replacement rubber caps that won't oil out? For one of the controllers, I plan to buy one replacement stick anyway since the plastic shaft has seen lots of wear.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I have trouble with a few of mine as well, as well as atleast one of my PS2 controllers.  It's mainly annoying if playing games with super sensitive movement, for lack of a better term, as I'm quite tired.  Basically, I have trouble with characters onscreen moving of their own free will!  I once saw a youtube video where some dude found a way to hang a controller over a boiling pot or something, so that the heat/steam gets in the analog sticks & melts the dirt/grime/poo inside.  I've never tried this though.  I've taken apart controllers many times.  Maybe once I got one cleaned up & working nice, but that's out of a gajillion times of disassembly & reassembly.

[DrOrangejuicer]

Super annoying and it actually does happen to PS2 controller as well. Iirc (and I often recall incorrectly), this occurs after prolonged periods of disuse and is a lubricant used inside the controller and not a component of the rubber cap.

[ClodBusted]

There's no liquid lubricant in the potentiometer stick mechanics. The oily substance I'm talking about comes directly from or underneath the rubber caps and spreads onto the plastic shaft.

EDIT: I'll give my PS2 Dualshock 2 controllers a check, I got these two brand new when I purchased my SCPH-9x PS2 in 2008 or so and used both a lot since then.

[vmorr]

Almost every PS2 I pick up at garage sales and stuff have controllers like this, or a rubber cap or both are missing, or some of the buttons don't work... Either the controllers are more fragile and crappier than I thought or otherwise idk what these people do to mess them up.

[Gentlegamer]

It's the rubber of the thumbsticks degrading, it happens to PS2 controllers too. After I haven't used my PS2 controller for a while I have to wipe off the residue. I think the only solution is replacing the thumbsticks.

[ClodBusted]

Thanks for all your responses.
So, I'll either try 3rd party replacement PS-style thumbsticks (are there any that don't suck?). Or I'll try to get my hand locally one some 2nd hand Dualshock1/2 controllers and rob their (hopefully still intact) plastic thumbsticks for my PS3 enjoyment.
It would help to know if the PS1 Dualshock thumbsticks have the same fitment as those for PS2 and PS3. Regarding physical compatibility between Dualshock 2, Sixaxis and Dualshock 3 thumbsticks, I'm able to check it by myself and will report the outcome to you guys.

[WoodyXP]

Years of eating wings & pizza while playing your PS will do that to the sticks.  Nothing much you can do.  Replacement nubs are the way to go.

[ClodBusted]

Somebody had to make a comment like that. Next will be "wash your hands after watching porn". No, I won't.

[WoodyXP]