My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

Well dropped my laptop off and two days later I'm now typing with a brand new screen replaced under warranty 🙂... probably the benefits of dealing with an Apple approved service centre (and basically just a service centre) then a store.

They seem to agree with my idea that it was heat from running in clamshell and the ventilation isn't enough when closed... first time they had seen the coating peel.

Hope everyone else can get it resolved well.

I have had my MBP for just over a year now and am experiencing the same problem and its only getting worse! This past summer (july), i noticed the stains around the permitter of my monitor. The thing is, i rarely type on the keyboard, i use an external monitor, external keyboard and mouse. I went out and bought a keyboard cover before the stains in the middle started to appear...it did no good and as you can see is starting to spread from the center as well. Needless to say its VERY frustrating. I have not gone in to apple yet, as i fear its a waste of my time and will just be told that its not under warranty.

Hi Bradymott et all

15" Retina MBP Late 2013 - purchased April 2014.

Same problem here. I am on my 5th MBP (over several years) using the same hands and never had this before. I always encase a new Apple product before I even turn it on.

I first noticed the rainbow discolouration around the edge after about 4 weeks. Unfortunately, I was mid move to another country and didn't have time to let my mac go away for assessment. I am now an hours flight, from the nearest Apple repair shop but having read the comments above, as soon as I am back in the ME, I will take it in.

I've included a photo too. It started with the outside edge and I thought I was seeing a glue line or something behind the screen. Last month the centre started going patchy and now, even if I accidentally brush a finger nail across the screen, I get dreadful scratch marks.

The photo looks as if I have been really heavy handed with it but I am extremely careful with my expensive work tool; I dont let anyone else touch it and always clean according to Apples instructions.

I wish Apple would respond - its would appear to be more than an handful of machines suffering this problem.

I just bought this screen cleaner from Apple Online store and noticed that there was a smudge after I cleaned my Macbook screen. I found out the problem by searching and it took me to this thread. Should I ask Apple for a replacement screen? I am still under warranty.

I too have this issue and from the posts this looks increasingly like a manufacturing/technical issue. As we only have authorised resellers in South Africa, I hold little hope of a replacement screen. In another post (see reply from quicksend) it is suggested to use IPA wipes to remove the coating completely. For those of you who can get a new screen from Apple under warranty, I say go ahead. I will try to remove the coating rather than have to pay for a new screen. Unless of course anyone from Apple would like to call and authorise a replacement screen for me?

Hi everyone,

found this post after having dealt with an Apple Genius Bar "genius" and two support guys from Apple. That's how my screen looked a while ago (now it's even worse):

The genius at the store accused me of having caused this myself and tried to get rid of me with the statement "well, you wouldn't scratch the coating of your new car and then get back to the dealer to demand a replacement one". Nice experience. I got so mad I had to step away.

After that I talked to Euro support in Cork. The guys there were quite friendly but after all I just got the same explanation almost anyone else got. "Cosmetic problem", no warranty. I didn't even get some sort of split offer like pay for replacement only and get a new screen for free. Niente. Nada.

I have a MBPro Retina late 2013 still covered with Apple Care, so in total we're talking some 2.800 Euros. Not really a cheapo.

I don't go for premium just to make an experience like this. This is ridiculous. This isn't a "cosmetic" issue at all. Even some of the Apple guys I talked to weren't aware there was some sort of coating on the screen, neither was I. Nevertheless I only cleaned the screen like Apple wants me to, bit of water and a fluffy, fluffy little cloth.

We will see more issues like this as time moves on, no doubt. Meanwhile I will write to Apple Europe and explain again. If noone listens this time my lawyer will try to clarify my point.

Same problem here; the spacebar obviously leaves an imprint on my screen (mbpr 15"). I only noticed it a few weeks ago, when cleaning my screen. I thought it was fingerprints, but turned out to be some sort of scratch or imprint clearly in the shape of the spacebar. Apple claims it's caused by the user, but I have no idea how that is possible. I use it exclusively on a desk, where there is absolutely no way of causing excessive pressure to the screen/lid...

The computer is just over a year old, not cool...

Have this problem too. It's terrible how apple quality comes to nothing.

if its only the display then you can make it in to a desk top computer go and buy another display and connect it to the macbook then you will have a desk top computer but you will need a new keyboard and mouse ,its gonna work like this ,without you macbook display

Exact same problem appeared a few months ago. The fist stain appeared right in the center of the screen, since then a couple more stains appeared closer to the bottom edge.

Same here. And i have no clue how is this happened.

I have my MBP only 5 months. And this happened maybe 3months after purchase.

I just noticed today the same issue with my year old MBR retina 15".... Completely agree with strat266 that it's not a cosmetic issue but a major design flaw... On mine, as you can see on the picture, it corresponds to the aluminum casing surrounding the trackpad... not linked to any finger oil or whatnot...

Would just like to add my view on this as it seems a lot of people are confused. I have this same issue on my Macbook pro retina, it appeared instantly after cleaning my mac with Detol wipes (don't know why I did, only wipes I had in the office).

After this happened I spoke to a friend of mine who is an electrician and he told me that the alcohol in the wipes has removed the thin coating on the screen that is called a "oleophobicgate" - He said these are used to reduce interaction between the surface and substances such as water and oil (like a self cleaning layer so the screen does not look dirty all the time).

I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE DO THIS... but he told me if I do not want to spend out on a whole new top shell for my mac then the best thing for me to do is either leave it as it is or literally finish the job... So I carried on with the Detol wipes (took a while) but I have removed the whole layer and it looks like a new screen again.

Can you post some "after" pics? No residue left? I'm very curious as to what it looks like..don't want to make it worse than it already is

Thank you MrL22. Finally a reply that makes sense. And now that you mention the Dettol wipes I know how mine started. I have only ever wiped the screen with water and a cloth as recommended, but no one mentioned the keyboard. So I cleaned the keyboard with Dettol wipes (to be nice and hygienic) never thinking that the keys would come into contact with the closed screen. Obviously they do. And so the problem started. I have now started a daily cleansing regime – with Dettol wipes – to rid my screen of the remaining coating. A new lid is not an option for me.

And to those people who suggested that I just buy a desktop screen and use my "portable" as a desktop. If I had wanted a desktop Mac I would have bought an iMac.