Database Users

fixing small screen scratches

I posted a while ago about this with no response. I'd really appreciate some kind of input or advice or anything.
There are those of us who don't like screen protectors on our imates. Of course, after a year, this leads to those little, annoying scratches that seem to magically appear. There's stuff on the market to rub these out; one such product is Displex. I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with these products or any other methods of removing these tiny scratches.

If you haven't had a response in a year, I'd imagine that is because most people like the anti-glare and improved writing surface that a screen protector offers <shrug>
I know those scratches you're talking about but the first thing I do is to get a film for my new device to keep up the resale value.
I know this is a personal preference, but what do you have against films? I can't actually think of a downside to them apart from the first two attempts where you get dust under them and it annoys you for a week before you calm down enough to try it again =)
Maybe you could try one of these polishes and tell us how good they are, after all this information seems to be somewhat lacking ... ?

Amen to that. Actually the good brands (though a bit more expensive) of screen protectors are so easy to apply. I bought a couple of the ultra clear ones from Brando and i'm still on my first for close to a year now. Every now and then I clean the film with rubbing alcohol.
Since I own a few Swatch watches and most of them have already scratched plastic faces, I bought the little tube of scratch remover. It gets the job done but a lot of pressure is required especially if the scratch is very deep. Since my hands got very tired, I then used a Dremel. Word of advise, don't set the Dremel at a high speed because it will melt the plastic.
I don't know if the Magician's screen has some sort of anti-glare coating. When I tried to remove the scratches on my older pair of eye glasses, the anti-glare coating was taken off wether rubbing it manually or using the Dremel.

i've had only bad experiences with screen protectors. I guess that's what i get for being a cheap ass. Plus the jam is my first pda, so i never really realized how much of a problem those scratches really are.
I suppose the solution is to try the Displex screen scratch remover and then slap on a Writeshield AG. Thanks anyway.

I suggest you try first a very small area in a corner of the screen just in case the scratch remover will a a greater damage.
Good luck. Hope you do get your screen as good as new.

zerimar said:
I suggest you try first a very small area in a corner of the screen just in case the scratch remover will a a greater damage.
Good luck. Hope you do get your screen as good as new.
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Absolutely. I once used scratch remover on my old XDA (Wallaby) and found it to be efective in removing the scratches. Problem - in the area where i removed the scratches the display was compromised - it looked like a prisma of kinds, kinda like when you little drops of liquid on an cathode ray tv - you could see little bits of red green and blue.
I think some kind of layer was removed causing this. So really try it on a corner before you go for the entire screen.
And another word, if you are not familiar with using a Dremel, NEVER use it for cleaning or polishing of plexiglass. I ruined a swatch with that. Used it even at a low speed, but the polishing wheel made the plexi so hot the watchglass actually looked like a bumpy road. Had it professionally repolished at a jewelers place, but by doing this the plexi had got so thin that i broke after a while...
Dremel and plexi - no good in my opinion.

i have a few scratches that came with my magician (i didnt pay a cent for the scratches ). let us know how you go.
BTW, has any one used car polisher for such a task? I heard (not sure how correct/accurate), that its possible to remove small scratchs from cds wih car polisher? I wonder if it works for lcds.
now how is man enough to try it out in there magicians hay :lol: :lol:

Best way to clean HD2 screen?

Whats the best way to clean the hd2 screen? Is spraying a bit of window cleaner safe?

I use my forearm, it's nice and hairy and makes it look brand new

A clean dry cloth does the job, no need to use product and I would avoid water anyways... Just rub it with a clean dry cloth and watch the screen shine like the day you unboxed it

I wouldn't spray anything on the screen; I use a "Spontex" microfibre glass cleaning cloth. It's very soft and buffs up the screen in seconds leaving no fibres behind. They cost about three quid in tescos and also do my specs!

I use the inside of my t-shirt lol... or if its a bit greasy from the side of my face I'll breathe on the screen first to give it a tiny bit of moisture and then use the inside of my t-shirt... works very well

I rub it on my trousers, shirt, jumper, t-shirt, boxers... whatever's easiest at the time. I do have a glasses cleaner at my computer desk and tend to use that when I'm sat there. That gets great results.

Plus 1 for the micro fibre cloths. Absolutely amazing results, albeit they feel a bit strange in your hands (the micro fibre cloths, that is).
WB

Never use liquids to clean the screen as it may intrude around the edge (a strong breath is best)
The screen on the HD2 is very duarble so the inside of a Tshirt is excellent and very handy if you are dressed (always make sure there is no grit/sand)
and never to be using scrotum, because to catch hair can be very painfull and maybe also hygene problems

rumpleforeskin said:
Never use liquids to clean the screen as it may intrude around the edge (a strong breath is best)
The screen on the HD2 is very duarble so the inside of a Tshirt is excellent and very handy if you are dressed (always make sure there is no grit/sand)
and never to be using scrotum, because to catch hair can be very painfull and maybe also hygene problems
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Thanks for that. I will stop...

I use lens/optical cleaning cloth... Makes the screen shine like new ;-)

laserviking said:
I use my forearm, it's nice and hairy and makes it look brand new
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- You'r Funny

Lol @ laserviking
I dont own a hd2 but i carry a micro fibre cloth that came with my plasma tv i hace the nexus one

Another vote for micro-fibre cloths. I usually use the one I got from Specsavers to clean my glasses with. The advantage of this over clothing is not just that it's softer (and thus guaranteed not to scratch) but that it is far better at absorbing grease, which means the screen ends up completely free from finger-prints. Using your shirt tends to spread the grease around rather than removing it.

I use the screen cleaning cloth that came with my laptop (Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Xi 3650).
It is amazing and fast, I clean the screen in 4-5 seconds and it looks new and shiny
P.S. Do not use any cleaning products or water, just a dry cloth.

hey guys after cleaning my screen with a watery sheet for glasses and not the for the first time - I got a strange problem:
my fingers don´t slide smooth anymore on the screen, it feels like they are braking and slowed down because of this dry screen.also doing multitouch zooming one handed is a problem now!
would be gratefull for any tips!

murderdollpf said:
hey guys after cleaning my screen with a watery sheet for glasses and not the for the first time - I got a strange problem:
my fingers don´t slide smooth anymore on the screen, it feels like they are braking and slowed down because of this dry screen.also doing multitouch zooming one handed is a problem now!
would be gratefull for any tips!
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The effect will wear off after you use the phone for a little while, it's probably the substance is creating a dry effect lool. And I recommend micro-fibre cleaning cloths, your shiny HD2 will catch everyone's eye in the market!
Oh wait, don't get mugged though Spraying some window cleaning liquid might go into the device through the gaps at the side or through the hardware buttons, causing unwanted problems. Good luck cleaning xD

1. get a shirt
2. rub your HD2 on it
3. ????
4. profit!

after i got my hd2 i used a screen protector to avoid scratches and i clean it so easy just rubbing it in my shirt and thats it, but guys how to clean the edges and the speaker and buttons parts ?

all this method of cleaning the screen is with consideration that u guys have a screen protector on right?
other then the microfiber method, all other method is scratch inducing and sooner or later a scratch will appear on the screen..

laserviking said:
I use my forearm, it's nice and hairy and makes it look brand new
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amazing!!!
*tries*

Fixing Scratches on the Front Screen?

I've done a fair bit of searching both here and elsewhere online, and I've yet to find anything relating to a successful repair method for small surface scratches on the front screen (which may perhaps be impossible).
I've been going without a screen protector/case for the last few weeks, and despite being über careful, I have a very small scratch in the middle of the front screen. Not a show-stopper by any means, but enough to give me pangs of annoyance every time the light catches it.
Has anyone found a way to fix/conceal this kind of thing, which from what I understand is pretty difficult with a glass touch-screen?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Westibone said:
I've done a fair bit of searching both here and elsewhere online, and I've yet to find anything relating to a successful repair method for small surface scratches on the front screen (which may perhaps be impossible).
I've been going without a screen protector/case for the last few weeks, and despite being über careful, I have a very small scratch in the middle of the front screen. Not a show-stopper by any means, but enough to give me pangs of annoyance every time the light catches it.
Has anyone found a way to fix/conceal this kind of thing, which from what I understand is pretty difficult with a glass touch-screen?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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I wonder if you can use rubbing compound on it? Also would a screen protector cover it? Don't feel bad I have a pocket full of dust under my screen. I just wonder why they didn't make a headphone jack plug.

The first thing I am going to try is to go after work today, get a screen protector, and see if that helps reduce the visibility of the scratch (in addition to obviously preventing new ones).
On the one hand I feel silly for stressing over it, but on the other....well, what can I say?
If I continue to keep waking up in cold sweats, I might have to resort to more hardcore methods...

About the only thing you can do, that I know of, is cover it with a screen protector. That is what I had to do on my previous phone when the screen got scratched. Fortunately, once I put the screen protector on it you couldn't see the scratches any more.

You might be able to fix it by putting toothpaste in the scratch and wiping it clean

strung said:
You might be able to fix it by putting toothpaste in the scratch and wiping it clean
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Use toothpaste or jeweler's rouge (for normal glass at least)

I had one minor scratch on mine and tried fixing it with toothpaste. Didn't work. It actually made the problem worse by creating a bunch of tiny microscopic scratches around it so now it looks smudged right around the scratch all the time unless I'm always wiping it clean with a microfiber cloth.
Luckily for me, I'm getting the Evo replaced with a new one when my local store gets their new shipment in. I have some light leakage and a spot on the screen that is lighter than the rest of the screen (looks almost like a burn spot) which is a great excuse for me to return it and start fresh (and this time with a protector).
I'm not listening to these "scratch tests" for phones anymore. After babying my phone for a month and STILL mysteriously ending up with a scratch out of the blue, I can't risk not having a screen protector anymore.

Hate Fingerprints on your Tablet? Try this...

So okay, these are Touchscreen devices. Does that mean we have to just live with it, having the hi-res, beautiful display hampered by grungy fingerprints, and swipe marks? Not if I can help it (and I can!)
People who own these devices fall into two camps:
1) The ones that detest the fingerprints, and are super annoyed at how quickly the display gets marked up. Constantly wiping screen with a cloth, cleaning pad, wipes etc.?
2) The ones who don't give a crap.
For the former, of which I am a member, I have two really good ways of almost eliminating the print problem. It's not 100% but it goes a long way to do to resolving the issue. This is a 2 step process:
First, get some Rain-x or another brand of that type of glass treatment. It's designed for car, to make rainwater run off, and keep bug and crap from sticking to the glass. Pretty amazing stuff actually. Personally I don't think other brands are as good. Treat the screen with it 2x to start, then once a week or a bit more often (I do this about every 4-5 days) Leaves the glass feeling super smooth and slippery. It's an amazing feel, but really doesn't last that long. Also note I have no idea if there are long term effects that would have any effect on the durability of the screen, but is IS glass, hardened or not. I did this to my HTC Phone for years with no negligible effect that I could ever tell.
Second: Wash your hands! They now have signs in all the bathrooms with instructions for morons who have trouble with this complex procedure.
Seriously though... I am not done. Like me, you may have noticed that after washing your hands thoroughly (did you remember to make a good lather?) your fingers end up clean. Too clean! As in "Squeaky Clean" and as you may also have noticed, this does not lend well to swiping on glass (even glass that is super slick with Rain-x) Here is the solution. Powder. Talcum Powder or Baby Powder. Sprinkle a tiny bit on your palms, & finger tips, wipe it in well.
This works AMAZINGLY well. Sounds like a big pain, but its really not, and after both Rain-x and a little talc, let's say 4-5 minutes to take care of, you can sit and use your tablet four HOURS and barely see a trace of any prints.
Of course it all goes to **** when you star eating fried chicken while web browsing, but I can't resolve EVERY problem now, can I? (Hmm, I wonder if those nitrile gloves would work on a capacitive touchscreen...)

Uh what exactly is in rain-x? Whatever it is, I doubt the company envisioned people coming into daily contact with. Similarly, talc is a product that can be carcinogenic when used daily. However it would likely take many years.
Here's a safety sheet on rainx.
www.emedco.info/rtk/common/wcd00008/wcd00802.htm
While it doesn't seem awful as it's mostly water and alcohol (I don't know what some of the other chemicals are) it is only approve for occasional contact and it does warn the the product cancause drying and make one more susceptible to skin issues.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium

I just my jacket sleeve to wipe
I've noticed that if it's squeaky clean it becomes harder to scroll and swipe so I leave it a little dirty/oily. The only thing I can't stand is dust.

I'm definitely a number 2. I can't remember the last time I wiped the screen. I wonder what the white stains are...

Screen protectors.
While I'm not particularly a fan of screen protectors, I was testing one recently for my Transformer and it fits perfect and you can't notice it... and one of the bonuses is that it doesn't show finger prints.
The Transformer is REALLY bad for finger prints. I've even had other people point it out. While I'm typically anal about finger prints, I use my TF too much to sit there and wipe it down every 5 minutes... and its summer so I'm not wearing sleeves.
I plan on writing a review for the screen protector after a few more days of using it. I haven't wiped it off yet since I cleaned the screen to apply the protector and it looks clean still.

Screen Protectors could help
player911 said:
Screen protectors.
While I'm not particularly a fan of screen protectors, I was testing one recently for my Transformer and it fits perfect and you can't notice it... and one of the bonuses is that it doesn't show finger prints.
The Transformer is REALLY bad for finger prints. I've even had other people point it out. While I'm typically anal about finger prints, I use my TF too much to sit there and wipe it down every 5 minutes... and its summer so I'm not wearing sleeves.
I plan on writing a review for the screen protector after a few more days of using it. I haven't wiped it off yet since I cleaned the screen to apply the protector and it looks clean still.
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I guess if it's a satin or similar, non-gloss it would be a big improvement over the stock glass... What brand did you get? I have gotten pretty good about laying them on a phone display, might be another story getting a perfect placement on a 10 inch screen!
bobloblaw1: Talc is dangerous? Kill me now! I would stay away from electronics entirely; according to Greenpeace: "Electronic devices are a complex mixture of several hundred materials. A mobile phone, for example, contains 500 to 1000 components. Many of these contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium and hazardous chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants." Better sell the Transformer and switch back to smoke signals... oh ****, that smoke is just FULL of carcinogens... Want to sell that SCH-I500 cheap?

I don't think I would recommend this. Rain-X is for use on the external surface of a windshield. It has some staying power. Lord knows what extended contact can do to your skin or if there are other more subtle things that can occur to the sensitive lining of the nostrils or eyes.

I just have a suede cloth i use when I notice prints

Hmm, an anti-glare screen protector is ALOT easier! Plus, it also reduces the glare and you won't have to lug around rain-x and talcum powder with you....
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

goodintentions said:
I'm definitely a number 2. I can't remember the last time I wiped the screen. I wonder what the white stains are...
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lol...and i mean i actually loled. TMI though
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

SmartAs$Phone said:
Too clean! As in "Squeaky Clean" and as you may also have noticed, this does not lend well to swiping on glass (even glass that is super slick with Rain-x) Here is the solution. Powder. Talcum Powder or Baby Powder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another cool trick is to actually dry your hands after washing. It works equally well...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

Dried Rain-x wont hurt you. Just use latex gloves when applying if you're paranoid about skin contact.

[Q] Cleaning Tips for Nexus 4 users

Hey guys,
So I've had the Nexus 4 for around two weeks now and it's too well designed of a device for me to resort to using screen protectors although I will be getting a thin case soon since it is quite slippery. I was just wondering what some of you do in order to maintain the condition of the device. I've simply been using a dry microfiber cloth - usually used on my eyeglasses - and rubbing gently until all the smudges are gone. This keeps it quite clean for 3-4 days but I don't know if that period will shorten with prolonged use. Any and all tips are appreciated, thanks in advance!

I just usually rub it on my shirt. Takes the smudges off in one wipe
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

After I wash/dry my hands I use the edge of my palm, the coating is great so I don't even have to do that that often.

Sounds like a pack of microfiber cloths should do just fine for the future then! Thanks guys, still welcoming other suggestions

I keep a pack of Wireless Wipes nearby. Great product I've been using for years. http://www.wirelesswipes.com

BigVDawgy said:
I keep a pack of Wireless Wipes nearby. Great product I've been using for years. http://www.wirelesswipes.com
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american apparel t-shirts work surprisingly well. it makes the phone extra shiny!
well it works just like a microfiber cloth.
any sunglasses pouch works well too!

I use optical wipes on my phones, gets rid of any finger grease and doesn't leave streaks.

I use the cloth that came with the Nillkin case. Works way better than a microfiber one that came with my girls mini laptop.. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4

Not fair
He guys im new and i had a question about keeping my nexus 4 clean. So when i recieved my nexus 4 i had it naked without a screen protector or case, then i decided to buy a full body xtremeguard screen protector, which was 6 dollars. They arrived and i tried putting them on the next day. They were wet installation which i didnt really like. I had to use a bowl of handsoap and water. So I installed them and tried to accelerate the drying process a little by using a blow dryer, but guess what, it really made the beautiful screen look all ugly and disoriented so i took them off and decided to keep it the way. and applied a little more water to the glass to get all the soapy residue off and dried it off a little more. The next day I noticed that when i held it in sunlight I noticed this white stuff inside the crevices in between the glass and the edges of the phone. SO whats bothering me is that i think its dried soap in there and blow drying it only made it worse. But wheat really gets me ticked off is that i wanted to keep my phone perfect and clean but that stuff is still in there and i dont know how to get it out. Its just killing me. Ive tried water, q tips, even scraping it out with printer paper but no luck. Can anyone give me ideas or help plz?? thx. IM sorry if this a very long post

Should have left the XtremeGuard on there, it takes a few days for them to dry properly and until they do, they look like a disaster.
As for the left overs, maybe a fingernail will be able to scrape it out?

Rusty! said:
Should have left the XtremeGuard on there, it takes a few days for them to dry properly and until they do, they look like a disaster.
As for the left overs, maybe a fingernail will be able to scrape it out?
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Fingernail is thicker than paper. If he can't get it out with paper....Try using a needle I guess?

Oh nope I already tried that when my nails were longer and now there even more useless ha. Its too deep in there. But I guess I'll keep searching though. Any type of liquid I could use to dissolve it or something?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Not related to the above posts as such but more the actual thread title, a pair of jeans works very well. Wiping the phone on my knees while wearing jeans gets rid of everything, and no smears either. Looks like new, much better than T-Shirts.

anyone have advice on how to clean the ear piece grill? putting my nexus 4 in my jeans and pockets add lint to the inside of the grill. it annoys me. any advice on how to get it super clean and all black again?

snapper.fishes said:
Fingernail is thicker than paper. If he can't get it out with paper....Try using a needle I guess?
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Didn't see your post snapp but I guess I could try a needle. And yup sickered I'm having that problem too but I guess that's supposed to happen sooner or later unlike my original problem
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

sickred said:
anyone have advice on how to clean the ear piece grill? putting my nexus 4 in my jeans and pockets add lint to the inside of the grill. it annoys me. any advice on how to get it super clean and all black again?
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Compressed air, but be careful not to blow it to closely.
As far as cleaning the screen itself, I use monster LCD/plasma TV cleaner I got at best buy. Its a little pricy but I've had it for 3 years and works wonders on all my phones, even on screen protectors.
I do not have any advice as far as what to do what the residue in the screen your talking about.
I have a screen protector on the screen and have been thinking about removing it lately. I had a convo with my neighbor who never uses a protector on his phones. He never has gotten a huge scratch on gorilla glass, and to be honest I rarely ever change my protector and prob sacrifice more clear screen using one vs not...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

YeezyMode said:
Hey guys,
So I've had the Nexus 4 for around two weeks now and it's too well designed of a device for me to resort to using screen protectors although I will be getting a thin case soon since it is quite slippery. I was just wondering what some of you do in order to maintain the condition of the device. I've simply been using a dry microfiber cloth - usually used on my eyeglasses - and rubbing gently until all the smudges are gone. This keeps it quite clean for 3-4 days but I don't know if that period will shorten with prolonged use. Any and all tips are appreciated, thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tech Putty and a microfiber cloth (any cheapo one will do).

sickred said:
anyone have advice on how to clean the ear piece grill? putting my nexus 4 in my jeans and pockets add lint to the inside of the grill. it annoys me. any advice on how to get it super clean and all black again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get yourself a small camera lens puffer (like a rocket). Great for getting dust and lint out of nooks and crannys, but not enough force to damage anything nor any chemical agents (like in canned air).

my ear piece and mic is a bit dirty, I don't think air will get it out. can you use alcohol or something similar??

alpha-dog said:
my ear piece and mic is a bit dirty, I don't think air will get it out. can you use alcohol or something similar??
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Use a brush? Like a paintbrush or makeup brushes