Any luck fixing iPad 2 screen scratches?

Question

Any luck fixing iPad 2 screen scratches?

A friend's dog jumped onto my iPad 2 yesterday leaving a thin but deep scratch right through the center of the screen. I can clearly feel it and it produces an annoying rainbow effect especially when the screen is bright. I know Apple doesn't cover this under warranty and that replacing the screen costs $350+ from Apple, $250+ from local merchants and $150+ from DIY sites like this one: http://www.digiexpress.us/Replacement-Glass-and-Digitizer-for-iPad-2_p_301.html

Considering those costs, I feel like it wouldn't hurt to try patching or filling the scratch with something first, just to take the edge off the rainbow effect. I've heard you can use toothpaste, white erasers, or this iDrop stuff: http://www.amazon.com/PodShop-iDrops-Cleaner-Scratch-Remover/dp/B0006V7QAK however I haven't found any reports of people actually trying these things on an iPad 2. Is there some special coating on the screen that I'll be removing?

I know this question's been asked repeatedly, but I'm hoping to find some new answers.

iPad 2, iOS 5

Posted on Mar 15, 2012 5:21 PM

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Answer 1

blitzteh

Level 2

207 points

Mar 15, 2012 5:56 PM in response to sarahnorthway

hace you tried screen protectors? im not sure how well they can hide it but they are certainly cheaper

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Answer 2

peterd_

Level 1

9 points

Apr 26, 2012 8:01 AM in response to sarahnorthway

Any luck?

same here - have a deep, long scar in the pad -thx 2,5 year old child of mine (:

replacing out of the question, looking for solution to 'fill' scratch.

and no, i am not looking for advice how to avoid scratches, thank you.

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Answer 3

Apr 26, 2012 9:26 AM in response to peterd_

I never found any advice on how to fill scratches, just a lot of people suggesting that those various methods could strip the coating and make it look worse. So I haven't tried anything yet. :/

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Answer 4

peterd_

Level 1

9 points

May 2, 2012 1:05 AM in response to sarahnorthway

phooey - amazing that there is no info about this.

apple was very NOT forthcoming and basically said - Too Bad, User Error - which i guess i kind of right but considering the hardness and scratchresistance of ipad/iphone/ipod is part of the selling point...

and i guess everyone else is a as quesy as you and i in applying **???***...something....to their ipad...

i know there are kits for iphone/ipod, but the screens are way smaller and the scratches usually dont come in this magnitude...

please let me know if you stumble upon sth - i would be curious and grateful; and will do likewise...i have been re/searching for almost a year now...):

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Answer 5

Michh13

Level 1

5 points

May 2, 2012 2:28 AM in response to peterd_

I think he meant to try and hide the scratch.

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Answer 6

Sep 20, 2012 10:05 PM in response to sarahnorthway

Any luck from anyone following this thread. I just this past week noticed two fine scratches that are in the surface of my new iPad 3rd gen 64 GB. they are creating a rainbow effect to my sight when viewing bright white or colored backgrounds. Not ithe most easy to ignore places of the screen. They are deep enough I can feel them by running my fingernail across it but I think it is only in the protective oleophobic layer (not 100%).

It is frustrating because I take impeccable care of this device. It is always protected in a case with a microfiber lining that touches the screen. When I run my nail across the glass it does not feel at all scratchable so I am perplexed as to how these scratches could have occurred. Especially their appearance as a perfect straight line. My daughter uses the iPad occasionally for Netflix and some games but she also is on her best behavior with it.

I would love to take the rainbow effect out of these scratches by polishing or filling.

I may speak to a genius and see if I can coax a replacement on my warranty but I know that they can reject because it is a cosmetic issue not technically covered.

I am frustrated I was told at the Apple store I did not need a screen protector (have used Zagg in the past and even have one still in the package I never installed). They indicated this screen was so scratch resistant that I should have no worries of I took good care of it. And that the hi res retina display would not be as nice with a protector on it.

I feel that if they are going to advise customers of such, they should be culpable for the replacement or repair.

Very frustrated my beautiful display is tainted.

Any help would be welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you for reading my revival of this old thread :)

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Answer 7

peterd_

Level 1

9 points

Sep 21, 2012 12:02 AM in response to AtomicVariable

sorry mate,

i've resigned to having an 'old' (ipad 2...:) piece of technology in the house, scratches and all...great to keep in touch with the family when i am (frequently) away on business, and the kids can play with it for some years to come before it is truly old...and i dont have to be on edge quite as much...

if i ever do attempt at polishing/filling the scratch ( i still have 3gs with many little scratches to test on) i will post here with results.

best,

pete

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