I work in a biological laboratory and accidentally spilled 190 proof ethanol (image below) on my iphone6 for about 15 seconds. The screen is messed up but that's the only thing wrong (see picture below, note the phone has a blue background typically). This happened yesterday. trying to find out if it will dry out and be okay
iPhone 6, 12
The good news is that 95% alcohol has only 5% water, so water damage is unlikely. The bad news is that 95% ethanol can dissolve the LCD screen and possible react with the oliophobic coating on the screen. So if you're lucky having Apple replace the screen will be all it needs.
As with any liquid, there is no way to determine what the extent of the damage is from our vantage point. You would be well advised to take it into your nearest Apple Store to have it looked at. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that irreparable damage will occur.
Best,
GB
The iphone screen seems to be slowly returning to its original condition. The brightness has improved dramatically, and the lines and blotches are almost gone. In a couple of days, it seems the phone will be in good shape (not noticeably different, possibly) and will be cosmetically fine. Ill try to update if anything happens differently - just want to share, in the event that anyone else has this same issue and finds this thread.
mean i guess the techs would look at it for free at least ...
mean i guess the techs would look at it for free at least ...
Correct - you do not have to pay to have it assessed and to get an estimate for repair (if repair is an option).
Best,
GB
It would have been best if you’d immediately turned it off and left it off. You may very well have, at the least, ruined the oleophobic coatings on the glass screen.
I’m a Ph.D. Biologist (genomics, biostats and toxicology) and have been for over 30 years. While I don’t do lab work now I don’t understand bringing something personal like that into the lab bench? You wouldn’t chew on a pen or pencil you’ve handled in the lab, nor would you bring your lunch in to the lab bench but you’ll bring in your smartphone that you use right next to your face and mouth? At least thinking of chemicals I used when I was in the lab, and what I know our company’s lab people deal with currently in the lab, my smartphone would never cross the lab door threshold (and when I’m am over to our lab facility, mine never does).
Maybe I am just old school, but most labs have far more nasty stuff than high proof alchohols and I know I don’t even want to think of possible contamination of something I handle every day and use close to my face and mouth..
thank you. im trying to decide if it is worth the repair. it's an iphone 6. I read that it might be okay since it was only 5% water in the alcohol, so im trying to decide if i want to wait and see if the phone will improve, or try to plan for a new phone. I wouldnt really want to pay the cost of repair, which would be high for liquid damage, if even possible, from what i understand.
How rude of you. You do not know me nor do you know why or how I had my phone in lab. Are you serious ? it was ALCOHOL. I really do not appreciate the condescending, arrogant tone of your reply. Your reply was also unhelpful - no kidding i should have turned it off and left it off, thanks for stating the obvious. Why are you in this community? You seem very full of yourself. Hope that's going great. Please do not reply to this anymore.
Nonsense. You’re working in a lab environment with potentially hazardous chemicals. Act accordingly. Not one single thing I said was “rude”. Quite bluntly, there is no reason a personal smartphone should ever be exposed to laboratory chemicals in a laboratory setting. It’s a lab safety violation. You were dealing with a laboratory grade reagent, not some booze from the local corner store. And it has nothing at all to do with the chemical mentioned, it has to do with actually using and having a smartphone in a biological/chemical laboratory setting.
I have been a member in these public communities for 20 years and will continue to post what I choose in whatever threads I choose. The community moderators will inform me if or when I step out of line.
We have never gotten a poor mark in inspection. There is no point in debating this--the rudeness I mention is based on you taking my question and using it to chastise me about something totally unrelated, and your assumptions about my actions. It does not address the question or problem at hand. This is a pointless argument.
My initial post neither chastised you nor assumed anything. Read my post - I did nothing more than state an opinion based on what information you had provided.
Poured 190 proof ethyl alcohol (ethanol) lab-grade on iphone 6 and screen is messed up
