I can't figure out what this is...

[iamjose]

I bought my iPad a couple of months ago at Best Buy (open item). Check out the two pictures below. I didn't notice this before but I was wondering what the heck this is. When the screen is clean (on or off), you cannot see it at all but when I was cleaning it (using the mouth-fog & tissue method) you can see this rectangle-looking smudge on it, as if a label was placed on it or something. I was thinking of cleaning it with some Windex or something but I didn't want to mess up the screen. Any ideas?

It doesnt bother me that much other than knowing it's there, but I would like to know what it is, if and how I can remove it, and if it will have any long term affect on my screen. Thanks.

[Kralledr]

It Look like this antitheft Clips wich you find on iPad for Demonstation like in the Stores

[iamjose]

Originally Posted by Kralledr

It Look like this antitheft Clips wich you find on iPad for Demonstation like in the Stores

Yeah... I'm not sure because it is not sticky to the touch. If that makes sense...

[Snesley Wipes]

Someone might've spilled a solvent like acetone or something on it. And maybe tried to rub it out and it left the smear.

[Macman45]

Whatever you do DON'T use Windex or any chemical compound on the screen..It does look like marks left behind by anti-theft clips...Probably how your unit ended up as open box. If it doesn't bother you too much I'd be inclined to leave it alone.

[iamjose]

Originally Posted by Snesley Wipes

Someone might've spilled a solvent like acetone or something on it. And maybe tried to rub it out and it left the smear.

Interesting... Are you familiar with acetone? Would this have any long term affect on the glass/screen?

Originally Posted by Macman45

Whatever you do DON'T use Windex or any chemical compound on the screen..It does look like marks left behind by anti-theft clips...Probably how your unit ended up as open box. If it doesn't bother you too much I'd be inclined to leave it alone.

Yeah I knew I was kinda taking a chance on an open box. I was hoping this could have fixed in someway, or if anyone would had seen something similar to this. I was even thinking about the stuff they use on cars, scratch doctor, crazy... I know.

[ZipZap]

Take it into an apple store and show them. See what they'll do for you.

[wrkactjob]

I see the face of Jesus in that smudge.

eBay now, it could be worth a fortune.

[klover]

I've seen this very thing on a first-gen iPad that I had. The section in question looked as if some of the optical coating (and/pr oleophobic coating) had either not been applied correctly or was worn off.

I also noticed that that section was not as smooth; I could tell there was more friction in that section while glidding a finger across the screen. It had absolutely no impact on usability or image quality however.

[Abarth1200]

i cant see anything focused on in those photos, what am i looking at here

[spiderman0616]

I have a theory---

Knowing how anal Apple customers can be (myself included), I bet someone scratched their screen and tried to fix it with some kind of abrasive polish or some other chemical. When they ended up doing more damage than good, they returned the iPad.

[iamjose]

Originally Posted by Abarth1200

i cant see anything focused on in those photos, what am i looking at here

The top photo is when the screen is clean and smudge-free. The second is when I apply some "mouth-fog" to the same location.

----------

Originally Posted by spiderman0616

I have a theory---

Knowing how anal Apple customers can be (myself included), I bet someone scratched their screen and tried to fix it with some kind of abrasive polish or some other chemical. When they ended up doing more damage than good, they returned the iPad.

That's possible... I wouldn't have even thought to look for it. It's not seen by the naked eye. So I'm sure some dude at Best Buy wouldn't have either. I guess just FYI if you are buying a open item at Best Buy.

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Originally Posted by klover

It had absolutely no impact on usability or image quality however.

Well... that's good to hear.

[iamjose]

Update: Took the iPad in to the Apple store. They also supposed some of the oleophobic rubbed off. Quick exchange. Love iCloud. Love Apple!

[Ecoh]

Originally Posted by iamjose

Update: Took the iPad in to the Apple store. They also supposed some of the oleophobic rubbed off. Quick exchange. Love iCloud. Love Apple!

This is really interesting, glad it worked out for you.

Now, I must try the "mouth-fog" test on my iPad !

[Matthew9559]

That's awesome that they took care of this small annoyance for you.

[xraytech]

Originally Posted by iamjose

I bought my iPad a couple of months ago at Best Buy (open item). Check out the two pictures below. I didn't notice this before but I was wondering what the heck this is. When the screen is clean (on or off), you cannot see it at all but when I was cleaning it (using the mouth-fog & tissue method) you can see this rectangle-looking smudge on it, as if a label was placed on it or something. I was thinking of cleaning it with some Windex or something but I didn't want to mess up the screen. Any ideas?

It doesnt bother me that much other than knowing it's there, but I would like to know what it is, if and how I can remove it, and if it will have any long term affect on my screen. Thanks.

Attachment 338151

Attachment 338150

Looks to me that Oliophobic coating was removed from that one spot.

[iamjose]

Originally Posted by Matthew9559

That's awesome that they took care of this small annoyance for you.

yeah... they were super cool about it. I just showed it to them and asked them what they thought about it and the guy instantly said "... that shouldn't be like that." and exchanged it. Cool guy at the Pasadena, CA store.