Q: My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

There is a site called macsales.com which has a lot of information and parts on upgrading macs in general.  They are very helpful to speak to as well.

It's a painfully simple process to change the memory and hard drive.  Only special tool needed was for the hard drive and it set me back about $4.  I can't recall the exact name of the tool, but it's often mentioned on youtube videos for such tasks.

It's sort of like buying a car, going to the car wash, and the paint starts to rub off. Then you go to the dealer and they tell you it's a cosmetic issue not covered under the warranty. 

Went to the official Apple certified service center here in the neighbourhood (Netherlands/Maastricht) because an Apple store is too far away. They told me to have received an e-mail from Apple one or two weeks ago telling them not to accept any MacBook Pro's anymore showing this issue. I first need to clarify this with Apple by sending them pictures of my screen to have them decide if the screen will be replaced under warranty or not (i.e. if it's damage caused by the user or by design if you ask me). Currently the MacBook Pro (late 2013) is still within its 1 year warranty (10 months old) but I don't have Apple Care (yet?). I'm very curious about the outcome and will let you know as soon as I've received a reply.

PS Despite the outcome, I still have an issue: I don't dare to clean the screen anymore because I only used the Apple cloth moistened with some water. I'd prefer to completely remove the coating in case this finally wouldn't be covered under warranty.

People who purchased the AppleCare warranty and then brought the computers in for repair due to the anti reflective coating rubbing off has been hit and miss.  Some got their computers repaired and some where turned away.  Apple told them they consider it cosmetic damage and was not covered under warranty.  So I guess it depends how your local Apple store views it.  I know, they should just repair the issue for everyone free of change who have the AppleCare warranty, but they don't.

I'm trying to research how to remove the anti reflective coating.  I'm not sure how to best accomplish this.  Maybe a little paint / lacquer thinner on a soft cloth.  Not really sure.  You do have to be careful of the surrounding finishes.  Maybe put some blue painter's tape on other areas just to provide a little protection.

Hi i have excatly the same problem on my mid 2012 MGP retina 15 inch, and it is only getting worse, i can se it also in dark  room's

i have also mid 2010 MGP there was never any problems with that

It all has to do with the defective manufacturing of the retina displays.  I don't think your 2010 model is a retina model.  

Sunscreen SPF 45 should remove the anti reflective coating followed by sunscreen lotion.  I'm going to try this tomorrow and see how it works out.  If this works, then I'll get a good screen protector with anti reflective properties.  Hopefully it will work.

HI epvaldo, thanks for sharing this interesting procedure. Please keep us updated.

Thinner will not work. Have tried it.

What does work is anything with a mild acid. For example stain remover with 12% acid or any type of concentrated bleach products (like toilette cleaner...HI STEVE, feel free to sum me up again). Re the bleach, use a mix of 1:3; 1 part bleach, 3 parts water as a start and increase the bleach if you need to.

Place your screen on a flat surface and use a kitchen cloth (cotton, the ones you use to dry your dishes) with the acidic solution and gently rub of the coating. At some places you might need to rub a bit more intensely. But don't press to hard, be patient. And try avoid touching the rubber edges of the screen with the acid. The procedure can take an hour or two to get all of the coating removed.

Once done you get a perfectly clean screen, however, it will be pretty reflective. So you need to purchase an anti reflective protection screen.

Last but not least, search this thread, you might still find some info about this in older postings (if they haven't been removed) and google the subject of this thread. There is a social media I can't name, where this is also discussed.

Forgot to say, use gloves!

Great posting, very helpful in every aspect!

Is this still a problem? Apple hasn't taken care of this but they released a thin macbook and upgrade on the 13" retina pro?

If there is one thing I've learned, it's to never trust new technology out of the gate.  A bunch of us purchased 2013 late macbook pros only to have this issue with screen staining.  Hold off and let it play out for 18 months.  Look back at these conversations and see what others are saying.  If it's mostly positive, go ahead.  If not, well, just wait! 

The first retina pro was released what 2011 2012? The sceen problem should of been resolved by now. I haven't bought a Apple laptops since mid 2010 but was looking to upgrade but look like I be waiting until 2020 at this rate.