Did I screwed-up my new mbp -- cleaning the screen?

Question

Did I screwed-up my new mbp -- cleaning the screen?

I may have screwed-up my new mbp; I'm sick & depressed thinking I did.

I noticed some smudge marks on the screen when it was off in the sunlight. I wiped the screen with a damp Kleenex (random box while visiting someone's house); saw more smudges -- they were not coming off.

I got some "Glass Plus w/no Ammonia" and since Apple's tech note said mild cleaner can be used (and have used Windex on other computer screens without any problems for years) -- the screen started looking "swirl-marked".

Then I noticed the Kleenex had "lotion" it in. I assume the swirl-marks were caused by the "lotion injected Kleenex", so I got a soft towel w/water on it; no better, thus tried more "Glass Plus w/the towel" -- nothing helped, just looked worse.

The screen looks FUBAR -- when off, in sunlight. I'm thinking I may have screwed it up, but then I think that such trivial actions and/or cleaning should not have damaged the screen -- it can't be "that fragile"!

Any ideas of a way to "restore it"; some screen polish, etc.?

MBP 15,4" 2.16 ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 4, 2006 9:05 AM

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Answer 1

camhabib

Level 2

247 points

Jul 4, 2006 9:15 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

If cleaning it with with a damp cloth doesn't fix it, I'd say that you etched the finish of your screen. Usually when they say "mild cleaner" they mean a spot of diluted hand soap, not the type of cleaner you used. There may have been some specific compound in that cleaner that didn't react well with the finish and etched it.

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Answer 2

Alex6

Level 2

395 points

Jul 4, 2006 9:23 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00078COKE/104-3516591-6355961

iKlear, works for me.

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Answer 3

Jul 4, 2006 9:25 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

The film left over from the lotion can be safely removed by using eyewear cleaner combined with clean water (bottled), which is applied to an eyewear cleaning cloth. (Micro-fiber). Note: Don’t apply anything directly on the display. Once removed and for future cleanings, use clean water applied to your cleaning cloth. Oh, be sure to toss the cleaning cloth in the wash to remove the lotion before re-using. Always soak and wring the cloth before wiping the display.
Regards,

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Answer 4

Jul 4, 2006 10:09 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

More to say… Kleenex and similar tissue is made from very course paper fibers, which can etch/scratch most any LCD computer display. If this has in fact occurred, you may not be able to correct for this. Although it may be annoying, it’s not necessarily going to affect the view of what you see on the display i.e. text and graphics.
Regards,

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Answer 5

Jul 4, 2006 10:11 AM in response to Digital Dude

I'm not sure, but I believe that Kleenex is a paper product and wood fiber=bad for plastic.

Cloth (100% cotton) or microfiber are the only things you should use. But the cleaning fluid may have done it. I don't know. You may have to get it repaired.

Common mistake, don't beat yourself up about it. We all suffer from this sort of crap at one time or another. Consider yourself now part of the club.

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Answer 6

Jul 4, 2006 10:12 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

iKlear, as Alex referred to, (also available at Apple stores) may well fix this.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 7

Jul 4, 2006 10:19 AM in response to Digital Dude

A year ago I spilled coffee on my laptop-cost me $800US. I tried to just send it in without telling them. They e mailed me saying no dice jack.

note: I've seen this done to car finshes; swirls all over. It shows up especially on black-Jumps right out at you.

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Answer 8

Jul 4, 2006 10:36 AM in response to mac wison

Well my friend, I pulled this from the official Kleenex site for your knowledge base.

“What types of trees are used to manufacture KLEENEX® Facial Tissue?
Selected tree species, including spruce, fir, aspen, maple and eucalyptus contain thin wood fibers which contribute to the desirable characteristics of softness, absorbency and strength in KLEENEX® Tissue.” http://www.kleenex.com/us/q&a/faqs.asp
Regards,

MBP-15" / 2.16 / W8612... Mac OS X (10.4.6) G4 Tower (OS 9/10), Dell 620 WorkStation (XP Pro), Gateway P4 (XP Home)

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Answer 9

rom.ph

Level 4

2,021 points

Jul 5, 2006 4:47 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

Have you tried Radtech's OmniCleanz? I use it exclusively to remove keyboard scuff marks on the screen.

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Answer 10

Jul 5, 2006 5:33 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

Alex6 is right..

i also recommend iKear Apple Polish..

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Answer 11

Jul 6, 2006 9:46 AM in response to Elton Darby Jr.

Since I'm traveling all week, I couldn't mess with ordering/getting iKlear, so I went to the local Office Depot and got their private label LCD cleaning kit.

I did "step #1", using the pre-moistened (hand wipe like) pad on the screen; made it worse, was freaking, *@@^^@^

I did "step #2", same thing but a dry wipe -- still looked horrible w/multi-color splotches and streaks that look like scratches, etc!, still freaking, &^&%&%&$

Then I see there is a soft blue "micro fiber" cloth; started rubbing/polishing it with this cloth and the streaks and (what appeared to be) scratches started disappearing -- the LCD now looks perfect!

.... amazing! (that this fixed it and/or I'm an idiot for believing that I damaged it with "lotion filled Kleenex" and Glass Plus) 🙂

Elton

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