Is there a way to restore the anti reflective coating on the screen (staingate) with polish?

I'm not aware of any way to resolve the coating issue except to have the display replaced. Most cases of the issue do not really show up when actually using the laptop although it may be more noticeable under some lighting conditions.

I tried to remove the anti-reflective coating from a display where most of it was already gone, but some areas would not remove the coating regardless of the chemicals I used. I would recommend leaving it alone as you risk making the issue more pronounced when actually using the laptop.

Metro287 wrote:

13 inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2014)

Unfortunately, because my computer is out of warranty, replacing the screen will be expensive, like around $400 and I read that some people replaced the screen but got the issue again only a couple of weeks later, so it’s probably not worth the money. Also how is the glare with the layer gone?

Trade it in and put the issue behind you— and put that same $400.oo to offset the cost of a new machine.

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You don't want to put anything on the display as it may damage it when you close the lid of the display. If you do find something which sticks to the display, then that "adhesive" will damage the coating even more when you remove it. It is likely you would still see the coating issue anyway. The only time it bothers me is when the display is off or under certain lighting conditions if the issue affects the working viewable area. It is best to just leave it alone.

Personally I just notice the difference between the areas with and without the coating more than I notice a glare where the coating is removed. Do you notice the coating issue while actually using the laptop? Personally I would live with the issue, but if it bothers you then get another laptop.

To minimize removal of the coating you should minimize the amount of cleaning you do to the glass. If you don't touch the glass the coating should not come off. If you do need to clean the glass, then just use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with water. Using a cleaner on the glass will accelerate the removal of the coating.

Most laptops I've seen with the coating issue start where people touch the glass. Most laptops begin having the issue at the top near the camera because the user's thumb rubs the glass when opening & closing the display. The next most common areas I see damaged are along the outside edges which appear to be from cleaning the laptop using chemical wipes. The keyboard can also rub off some of the coating, but this is usually minor.

Only you can decide the best way to proceed.

Metro287 wrote:

They would not make a screen protector for a laptop if it would damage the laptop, that would not make much sense.

You haven't paid a lot of attention to the way some tech companies operate lately. Look at the the developers selling Mac anti-virus and "cleaning" scamware products. It makes sense to them if people keep sending them money for something that doesn't work and can degrade performance..

As for a screen protector: I saw a post here this month where someone used an adhesive screen protector on a damaged MacBook Pro Retina display and that made it worse. When they removed the adhesive protector, it was damaged more than before.

If the anti-reflective coating is bad, then anything that rubs the coating or pulls on the coating will remove/damage the anti-reflective coating. Sooner or later you may need to remove that screen protector.

Companies will say and sell anything to make a dollar regardless if it is good for you or your equipment. I'm just providing some information on the possible downsides you may experience. If you cannot use the laptop comfortably in its current condition, then I guess you can try a screen protector. I have my doubts on how well it will work when using the laptop. Maybe it will help to minimize the issues or maybe it will enhance the difference between the parts with & without the anti-reflective coating.

I have never researched screen protectors before, but I'm sure there are different types depending on what they are meant to do (protect from scratches, or maybe reduce glare, etc.). I did research similar products for household windows in order to filter the light on our southern facing windows and found out those "plastic-type" cling sheets can actually damage the glass by trapping & focusing sunlight which causes the glass to heat up too much. These cling sheets also damage the glass when removed as they leave remnants behind. Until I researched the products I had never even imagined the mess they could cause me since these sheets seemed so simple. I mean how do you damage glass? Well at least I found out before I spent lots of money on the upgrades which may in the end have cost me even more money on replacement windows. Moral of the story? The companies selling these products never even hinted at any of these possible dangers. Always buyer beware.

If you do go for the screen protector then please update this thread so others will know whether it works or not or if it causes more problems.

Good luck.

All screen protectors will use something to either make them cling to the glass or use some type of adhesive. Both of these potentially could cause more of the coating to peel off when the screen protector is removed especially once it has been installed a while.

If you want to use a screen protector, then check the reviews very carefully since so many of the product reviews today are fake. Do you know anyone who has ever used a screen protector? See what they have to say or recommend. Personally I think it is a waste of money with little if any benefit, but the choice is yours.

I'm going to step away from this thread as I have nothing left to offer.

Good luck.