I have a MX-700 thats about 3 1/2 years old and it has developed a digusting sticky "film" on the outside of its surface. This film cannot be cleaned and it seems like the rubbery surface has begun to "break down" in some way. I keep the remote dry and clean but this problem has also affected my sidekick. The sticky stuff can be scraped away with a sharp knife, revealing smooth plastic underneath, but this chore takes hours of my life away, and leaves an awful mess behind and does not look smooth. Now I have a working remote that looks like crap, and I want to throw it away.. has anyone else had this problem and what causes it?? Has this manufacturing problem been fixed in the newer MX-700s?? because I am about to recommend one to a friend but dont want him crying to me in a couple of years if this is going to happen to him. Does the MX-800, 900 have this problem?

thanks for any info or advice