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

Solidarity--you'd think after spending over $2k on a laptop you'd be treated like it. :-\ I'm an Early '11 MBP owner, and was told by AppleCare to "buy a new mac...or wait for a possible software update." for a software issue.

Epvaldo, thanks for keeping us updated! I also thought about replacing the display but then I didn't do it because I can still see enough on the screen. The stains are annoying, still but if I changed the display, I would not know how to prevent the stains in the future.

I have the 2015 Retina which I purchased around a month ago. After reading about so many people having this problem I am taking NO chances. I am following these steps to ensure my MacBook screen doesn't develop Staingate:

• Although I don't get oily hands which I understand many do, after each use I ensure to wipe down my keys which appear to have a little oil/grease/sweat on them.

• Touching my display is literally a no go, if I do need to wipe the odd speck of dust away etc. I will use dry tissue paper. A full display clean I will do maybe once every month or two, perhaps not if it doesn't need one. If so, I will use the 'Keepit Clean' Macbook Cleaning Kit I purchased from the Apple Store along with my MacBook.

• My MacBook has a plastic case on it, which when transporting is first put inside a sleeve before been placed inside my padded laptop bag. I will do my best to ensure no pressure is applied to the Mac at all, as it seems this can contribute to the keyboard imprints on the display.

• I was also tempted to use a keyboard cover when using my MacBook which I would then remove before closing/transporting etc. so any oils/grease/sweat that was left on the cover would simply be removed very easily, leaving only fresh clean keys touching the display. Furthermore the paper screen/keyboard protector that comes inside a new MacBook could be used after use just for extra protection.

For now I guess this is all we can do, especially until we learn more about how these stains develop and whether or not Apple will decide to man up and accept responsibility.

BMoon. I don't think it could help. It is simple. This is manufacturer problem. It is self-destructing AR coating . I tried to not touch screen, not clean for some weeks. and new scratches appeared near seal where is hardest place to touch it. I'm sure I didn't touch this places.

I also think keyboard cover is not good idea. Normally keys don't touch screen but cover do.

That could be the problem, however the general consensus is that the screen is wearing due to foreign deposits (from fingers) coming into contact with the screen; hence why I am taking the above steps.

Also if you read my previous comment I specifically stated the keyboard cover would be removed before closing my MacBook, thus removing anything that should happen to be on my fingers away from the MacBook completely "leaving only fresh clean keys touching the display".

In Poland it is easy to buy 37% H2SO4 in many automotive-shops as electrolyte for lead-acid-battery ab. 1€ per liter. I think in other countries too.

IT IS DENGEROUS LIQUID !

https://www.google.pl/search?q=elektrolit+do+akumulatora&source=lnms&tbm=isch

someone should first try with acetone... before using dangerous acids...

Just to update on my situation. I went to an official apple store in the UK and they replaced my screen no problems, as I am still under applecare. They did say that they had never seen this issue before, but I showed them this forum as well as the 'stain****' website.

Acetone is a plastic killer.

BMoon wrote:

 

That could be the problem, however the general consensus is that the screen is wearing due to foreign deposits (from fingers) coming into contact with the screen; hence why I am taking the above steps.

 

Also if you read my previous comment I specifically stated the keyboard cover would be removed before closing my MacBook, thus removing anything that should happen to be on my fingers away from the MacBook completely "leaving only fresh clean keys touching the display".

Sure, I understand and I don't agree with theory about dirty fingers and other "external factors".

No problem man, I don't agree with your theory of the screens AR coating self destructing either, there must be something causing it. Besides, if that was the case, I'm sure there would be an answer from Apple now as I imagine the sheer numbers of Retina MacBook with this coating is phenomenal.

37% H2SO4 is definitely not an easy fluid to handle. You need to know how to dilute this acid down to less than 10%. Unless you feel comfortable diluting acids...FINGERS OFF!!  Said this before though.

I definitely think it might be worth waiting to see if enough people complaining gets apple to sort the issue before anyone starts applying acid to their screen.

I agree on your precautions, however, NEVER EVER use TISSUE paper or toilette paper (even the most soft ones you can find) to DRY CLEAN your screen. Tissues are made from wood and no matter how soft it is, there a wooden particles in the tissue that work like an abrasive. There is (almost) no better method to damage your coating than this.

In short FIBRE CLOTH ONLY !!!

Sure. no problem.   I just can't imagine how it is possible to do this by fingers. In the same time my screen is in good condition in the center where dirt, acid and mustard from my fingers then keys can go to screen after closing lid. I asked Apple many times to explain. OK but how it is possible, any logical explanation(?), No answer.