Someone else will have to help with the B&O-specific details, but I can tell you that yes, genuine Nextel paint turns to goop after about 20 years.  I believe the least aggressive method of removal is denatured alcohol ("methylated spirits"), less damaging than, e.g. Methyl Ethyl Ketone which would also work but be less healthy for both you and the plastic.  Have rolls and rolls of paper towels handy.  (Cambridge Soundworks speakers were infamous for "shedding their suede", but fortunately mine were white-primed underneath!  If you come up empty here, look for Revox components, some of which had Nextel on them, and people preserving those will be equally as picky as B&O owners.)

Many thanks ...I''ve just tried meths but it hasn't really moved it at all. I may try scraping it off with something not too sharp and aggressive.  I had no idea however the material they used deteriorates in this way. It's so bad I'd much rather get back to the blue colour of the original plastic. Patience and perseverance I think is required, and thanks again for the information.

Well, as stated, please beware my lack of B&O knowledge: I don't know if B&O used Nextel anywhere.  If denatured alcohol didn't touch it, that likely means it isn't old Nextel.  Personally, I would try letting a solvent (even if you switch to something stronger) sit awhile, covered in a plastic sheet, before resorting to a scraper -- even a plastic one -- especially on a plastic substrate.  (Although whatever the paint, if it was non-OEM, you have to imagine that the previous owner was trying to cover up some flaw anyway...)  Sorry and hopefully someone with a Beolit will butt in with a description of their panels!

Midwinter wrote:

If I remove the panels the reverse side reveals a royal/turquoise blue plastic which is I believe one of the standard colours for this model.

Hi.

As far as i can tell based on mine and what I've read here and there, Nextel was plain material, so yes if you see two colors then it was likely painted.
Mine is supposed to be black I think but it has turned to dark military green which I like more. I haven't be able to find any tracks of this color as standard even if I've seen it on pictures through the net.

I wonder if the material trackbeo is talking is not the soft touch plastic found on Beosound 4 for instance. I so, I would stay away from any aggressive treatment for the panels (that would melt or make the plastic brittle) unless you really know what your doing because you're not talking the same material. Again, my Beolit as never been sticky whatsoever.

You should find a thread somewhere on the forum about someone who successfully painted it. But I suspect with time and wear, the original plastic material will show on the corners where the radio rubs.

So Here is what I would do: first try to remove the black paint and clean the original panel. Then, if there is still some black paints marks then maybe try to spray it with a color close to the original blue.

Good luck.