how bad is alcohol on iPhone 3Gs screen

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how bad is alcohol on iPhone 3Gs screen

I took my iPhone 3Gs to a shop for screen protector. It was still in the box covered with the factory plastic film. The sales person removed the film and use a cloth with alcohol to wipe it before putting the screen protector on. I questioned him but he said that's the way to remove dust (??).

I was concerned and later on found out on internet and in the iPhone booklet that we should not use alcohol to clean iPhone.

Is alcohol abrasive please? And how bad is it to the oleophobic coating please?

Thanks in advance for your advise.

iPhone 3Gs, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jul 23, 2009 6:36 AM

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Answer 1

allen099

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Jul 23, 2009 6:47 AM in response to soybean2

The nice thing about this new oleophobic coating on the screen is that it really doesn't require any liquids to be cleaned, just some huffing with your breath.

I would imagine if anything, alcohol may actually eat through that coating so I'd encourage you to stay away from that. if anything use just a few drops of water from your finger directly and place it near the center of the screen. Definitely keep liquid away from any openings on the phone.

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Answer 2

soybean2 Author

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Jul 23, 2009 7:06 AM in response to allen099

but according to the iPhone booklet, the instructions apply to all iPhone, not just 3Gs with oleophobic coating.

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Answer 3

allen099

Level 1

30 points

Jul 23, 2009 7:10 AM in response to soybean2

The screen for the iPhone detects touch and all of those functions by static electricity from your fingers (that's why a fingernail won't work). If the screen comes into contact with alcohol, that may actually kill the screen in the sense where it will no longer detect the "electricity" your finger produces, created "deadspots". If this happens, your phone is under a 1-year warranty and the Apple Store can actually replace your screen on the spot as long as they find no liquid damage anywhere.

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2009 7:22 AM in response to soybean2

The sales person removed the film and use a cloth with alcohol to wipe it before putting the screen protector on. I questioned him but he said that's the way to remove dust (??).

Alcohol would be useful for removing greasy fingerprints (which shouldn't be a problem with a 3GS), but a cloth or facial tissue slightly damp with plain water is enough for removing dust.

I was concerned and later on found out on internet and in the iPhone booklet that we should not use alcohol to clean iPhone.

It won't damage plain glass, such as on the previous iPhones, but I wouldn't use it on coated glass without knowing something about the coating.

Is alcohol abrasive please?

It's not abrasive, but could soften or dissolve some coatings.

And how bad is it to the oleophobic coating please?

Even if it did no damage, I wouldn't use it again.

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Answer 5

Jul 23, 2009 8:41 AM in response to allen099

The screen detects change in capacitance rather than static electricity.

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