Hall Effect joystick dome getting badly scratched / feeling harsh. How to fix without ruining the glossy finish?
Hey everyone,
I’m having an annoying issue with my controller’s joysticks. The internal sensors are Hall Effect, so stick drift isn't the problem, but the physical movement has started to feel really harsh and scratchy when I push the sticks around—especially when moving all the way to the right.
Upon closer inspection, the black plastic domes under the thumb grips have deep, curved hairline scratches etched into them. It looks like some tiny bits of debris or plastic dust got trapped under the lip of the outer white shell and are carving into the plastic whenever I move the sticks. The other joystick is actually even worse.
Here is the catch: my joysticks have a high-gloss finish on the domes, not the standard matte texture you see on cheap replacement parts.
I want to fix this friction and get that smooth glide back, but I absolutely do not want to use sandpaper because it will completely destroy the gloss finish and make the plastic look cloudy and feel rough.
Has anyone dealt with this specific problem on glossy thumbsticks?