Hairline Scratch on iPad Screen ?

[dotnet]

I do meticulously clean my iPad daily !

That could be part of your problem. In the world of optical glass surfaces (telescopes, microscopes, cameras, etc.) the accepted wisdom is that nothing risks scratching a glass surface more than cleaning. You'd have to adopt a laborious (and somewhat expensive) cleaning routine to avoid this risk.

Wiping an iPad over with a microfibre cloth (that hasn't just come out of its original packaging) is guaranteed to cause fine scratches sooner or later, because of dust and grit on the iPad surface or trapped in the cloth.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Sounds like the OP was just unlucky. I have owned 5-6 different iPads and always get the Apple covers but they are just to protect while sitting on the table next to the LazyBoy of in the SUV. I have never used any type of screen cover and never had a scratch.

All it takes is just one grain of sand on the MF towel to ruin your day.

 

[Appleaker]

I've had numerous iPhones and iPads starting with the original iPhone and never once did I scratch a screen until my 12.9" iPad Pro. The scratch is very tiny, but I know it's there. I take very good care of my stuff and don't know exactly where or how it happened. So yes, even the newer iPads and iPhones are prone to scratches, no matter how careful you are. I may try to apply a screen protector and see if it masks the scratch, but I'm still a bit annoyed by its presence.

The same has happened with my 9.7" Pro. I've also never had a scratch/crack on my screens, and I don't know where it came from since I take very good care of it. However, these things can happen naturally as well which is why I'm taking mine in to get looked at soon. They may provide a free replacement if it is eligible and not user damage.

 

[44267547]

That could be part of your problem. In the world of optical glass surfaces (telescopes, microscopes, cameras, etc.) the accepted wisdom is that nothing risks scratching a glass surface more than cleaning. You'd have to adopt a laborious (and somewhat expensive) cleaning routine to avoid this risk.

Wiping an iPad over with a microfibre cloth (that hasn't just come out of its original packaging) is guaranteed to cause fine scratches sooner or later, because of dust and grit on the iPad surface or trapped in the cloth.

Agreed. Microfiber can be your friend and has many advantages when it comes to cleaning and collecting debris/dust. But over time, it can ultimately scratch your electronics, because of the embedded debris that you cannot see inside of it. I usually change the microfiber cloth I use daily, because of issues like this. And I almost never use a microfiber cloth on my high-end TV because of unknown debris you can't see that can cause damage.

 

[ibookg409]

I've had numerous iPhones and iPads starting with the original iPhone and never once did I scratch a screen until my 12.9" iPad Pro. The scratch is very tiny, but I know it's there. I take very good care of my stuff and don't know exactly where or how it happened. So yes, even the newer iPads and iPhones are prone to scratches, no matter how careful you are. I may try to apply a screen protector and see if it masks the scratch, but I'm still a bit annoyed by its presence.

I put glass screen protectors on my iPhones/iPads immedietly after removing them from the box. As soon as the film is removed from the device the glass protector goes on. No exceptions. As such, m screens are always in perfect resale condition.

 

[djeeyore25]

The same has happened with my 9.7" Pro. I've also never had a scratch/crack on my screens, and I don't know where it came from since I take very good care of it. However, these things can happen naturally as well which is why I'm taking mine in to get looked at soon. They may provide a free replacement if it is eligible and not user damage.

Sorry to hear I'm not alone on this. My iPad Pro is out of warranty so no luck there. I don't even notice the scratch except with certain colors. It stinks, but not the end of the world. I'll just have to be more careful next time. Best of luck on getting a replacement!
[doublepost=1484672688][/doublepost]

I put glass screen protectors on my iPhones/iPads immedietly after removing them from the box. As soon as the film is removed from the device the glass protector goes on. No exceptions. As such, m screens are always in perfect resale condition.

I've never had a problem except this one time. Even my original iPhone is in mint condition and I used that for years. I bought the 12.9" iPad Pro the day it came out so I'm not sure if they even had a screen protector available at the time. My only complaint with screen protectors is that they're a pain to put on, especially with a screen that big. The Apple Store has a machine they use to apply them to iPhones, but as far as I know they don't with iPads. I'd pay someone a few bucks to put one on if they take the risks involved. Next time I'll just have to consider all my options beforehand.

 

[bufffilm]

Sorry to hear I'm not alone on this. My iPad Pro is out of warranty so no luck there. I don't even notice the scratch except with certain colors. It stinks, but not the end of the world. I'll just have to be more careful next time. Best of luck on getting a replacement!
[doublepost=1484672688][/doublepost]
My only complaint with screen protectors is that they're a pain to put on, especially with a screen that big. The Apple Store has a machine they use to apply them to iPhones, but as far as I know they don't with iPads. I'd pay someone a few bucks to put one on if they take the risks involved. Next time I'll just have to consider all my options beforehand.

Therein lies the rub...applying a glass protector (or film) perfectly (to the phone or iPad) can be hard.

I was able to do apply film perfectly on my iPad 2 and did it to my sister's iPad 3.

Putting glass protector on my iPhone years later proved harder, oddly enough. Probably because the tolerance left-right-top-bottom was less.

Had to buy an extra protector to perfect my technique...everything lines up perfectly and no bubbles or dust trapped under the glass.

I'm not OCD, but something like this has to be done right.

Not looking forward to doing this on my next phone, but it will.

 

[augustya]

Agreed. Microfiber can be your friend and has many advantages when it comes to cleaning and collecting debris/dust. But over time, it can ultimately scratch your electronics, because of the embedded debris that you cannot see inside of it. I usually change the microfiber cloth I use daily, because of issues like this. And I almost never use a microfiber cloth on my high-end TV because of unknown debris you can't see that can cause damage.

I only use Micro Fibre cloth to clean my iPad Screen. But I don't wash my micro Fibre cloth daily so I don't know if any debri from the Micro Fibre cloth would have caused that hairline scratch this was purely unimaginable if it happened because of this ! How can anyone ever think that something would happen because of this ! In this Manner !!

 

[Jodiuh]

Seems like the latest post about this issue...

I just sneezed on my iPad, so made a mixture of 1/3rd 50% alcohol and 2/3rd water. Sprayed the cloth first, then wiped lightly.

Still can't get it smudge free. But worse, I noticed a hairline scratch. I can actually feel it with my fingernail, so I don't think it was caused by the wipe...or was it? I'm using a lint free Oakley cloth and the iPads got a Smart Keyboard cover on it.

I suppose it was going to happen eventually, just a bummer. I have a screen protector on the iPhone, but didn't think I'd need one on the iPad.

Also, how do you guys clean your iPads? I mean, our fingers come into contact with so much nasty. The iPad...or mine anyway goes to and from Starbucks, etc.

I think if anything, I just wanted to vent and will have to learn to let this kind of thing bother me less. Tho I feel like if I had an Apple Pencil and used it, I would notice the scratch cause the pencil would "clip" on it.

Also, there's a single stuck red pixel in the top corner, so I think life is over.

 

[bufffilm]

Seems like the latest post about this issue...

I just sneezed on my iPad, so made a mixture of 1/3rd 50% alcohol and 2/3rd water. Sprayed the cloth first, then wiped lightly.

Still can't get it smudge free. But worse, I noticed a hairline scratch. I can actually feel it with my fingernail, so I don't think it was caused by the wipe...or was it? I'm using a lint free Oakley cloth and the iPads got a Smart Keyboard cover on it.

I suppose it was going to happen eventually, just a bummer. I have a screen protector on the iPhone, but didn't think I'd need one on the iPad.

Also, how do you guys clean your iPads? I mean, our fingers come into contact with so much nasty. The iPad...or mine anyway goes to and from Starbucks, etc.

I think if anything, I just wanted to vent and will have to learn to let this kind of thing bother me less. Tho I feel like if I had an Apple Pencil and used it, I would notice the scratch cause the pencil would "clip" on it.

Also, there's a single stuck red pixel in the top corner, so I think life is over.

I just use formula 409 to wipe the glass down occasionally...about every 2-3 months. Yeah, weeks without wiping.

The iPad stays at home and generally my hands are clean when using it.

Too late for you now...advise (at minimum) film on your next tablet. Or a glass protector if you want to go the extra mile.

My ipad2 glass and screen are like new...6 years later. (I have film on mine.) So I must be doing something right.

 

[Jodiuh]

Given that I can feel the scratch, I think something must have happened that I just don't remember.

I do have AppleCare+, so if it gets really bad, I can fall back on that.

 

[Starscape]

Nothing is scratch proof. However I never use screen protectors have have never had any scratches, primarily because I always make sure my screens are clean.

 

[Jodiuh]

Nothing is scratch proof. However I never use screen protectors have have never had any scratches, primarily because I always make sure my screens are clean.

What do you use to clean them? I'm using alcohol/water mixture and a microfiber cloth, but am wondering how this will affect the antireflective/oleophobic coatings.

 

[44267547]

What do you use to clean them? I'm using alcohol/water mixture and a microfiber cloth, but am wondering how this will affect the antireflective/oleophobic coatings.

The oleophobic coating will wear over time as is. There is a product I use and it's strictly for Electonic displays and phone displays which is safe and effective. It's a called "Clean Screen" made by Audioquest. It's not cheap, but it's a well made product that comes with everything you need to clean without scratching.

http://www.audioquest.com/clean-screen/cleanscreen-kit

 

[Jodiuh]

The oleophobic coating will wear over time as is. There is a product I use and it's strictly for Electonic displays and phone displays which is safe and effective. It's a called "Clean Screen" made by Audioquest. It's not cheap, but it's a well made product that comes with everything you need to clean without scratching.

http://www.audioquest.com/clean-screen/cleanscreen-kit

Thanks, I'll check it out. I don't see anything in there about specifically addressing olephobic or antireflective coatings or being antibacterial.

I did switch to a distilled + alcohol solution and it did clean the screen, but after only an hour of watching a sermon this morning, noticed extremely accurate fingerprints all over the screen, haha. I just wiped it again with water on a microfiber cloth and they're back. Not sure if it's always been like this or I ruined the screen.

Tho I'm not terribly concerned as with AppleCare, I have a fallback. If I end up getting a replacement or something I'll have to decide if I want a screen protector or not. On the one hand, no screen protector makes it easier to read, but the single scratch within 2 weeks of ownership has me wondering.

 

[44267547]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I don't see anything in there about specifically addressing olephobic or antireflective coatings or being antibacterial.

I did switch to a distilled + alcohol solution and it did clean the screen, but after only an hour of watching a sermon this morning, noticed extremely accurate fingerprints all over the screen, haha. I just wiped it again with water on a microfiber cloth and they're back. Not sure if it's always been like this or I ruined the screen.

Tho I'm not terribly concerned as with AppleCare, I have a fallback.

Finger prints are always inevitable, no matter what cleaning product you use on the display. I can't attest about the oleophobic coating. But I do know Audioquest makes very good products and I'm assuming they would take that into consideration with LED/LCD displays. I don't believe that would have any impact on that, as I mentioned before, The oleophobic coating eventually wears off as is.

 

[Jodiuh]

Found this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DX7EXZK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1QRFUQ68GEIFU

Liquid is antibacterial and has great reviews. Recommended by another macrumor fellow.

 

[44267547]

Found this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DX7EXZK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1QRFUQ68GEIFU

Liquid is antibacterial and has great reviews. Recommended by another macrumor fellow.

But does it answer your original question if this product has the potential to remove the oleophobic coating? I understand it's antibacterial, but all of these cleaners have the potential to remove the coating unless they state it doesn't otherwise. Which they all say does not "Harm" or is "Safe", but does it remove the coating.

 

[Starscape]

What do you use to clean them? I'm using alcohol/water mixture and a microfiber cloth, but am wondering how this will affect the antireflective/oleophobic coatings.

I have always used a Pec-pad, moistened very lightly with purified water. It's a daily routine for me to clean the iPad's screen every morning before I begin work. It might sound silly but I have a gallon of purified water (bought at local supermarket) that I keep in my closet with my package of Pec-pads. It works perfectly, and since Pec-pads are really designed to clean camera lenses and sensors, I could not think of a more suitable and gentile cleaning solution.

Myself, I would not feel comfortable using alcohol on the screen, and while it may not hurt to use alcohol, the routine solution I use works absolutely perfectly and in my many years of owning iPads, I've never had even the slightest scratch.

 

[bufffilm]

I have always used a Pec-pad, moistened very lightly with purified water. It's a daily routine for me to clean the iPad's screen every morning before I begin work. It might sound silly but I have a gallon of purified water (bought at local supermarket) that I keep in my closet with my package of Pec-pads. It works perfectly, and since Pec-pads are really designed to clean camera lenses and sensors, I could not think of a more suitable and gentile cleaning solution.

Myself, I would not feel comfortable using alcohol on the screen, and while it may not hurt to use alcohol, the routine solution I use works absolutely perfectly and in my many years of owning iPads, I've never had even the slightest scratch.

I think some need more than purified water and a Pec-pad (whatever that is).

I just laugh when I hear what some people use...

 

[Jodiuh]

But does it answer your original question if this product has the potential to remove the oleophobic coating? I understand it's antibacterial, but all of these cleaners have the potential to remove the coating unless they state it doesn't otherwise. Which they all say does not "Harm" or is "Safe", but does it remove the coating.

No, but I'm assuming that's probably something unavoidable. It's alcohol free and antibacterial in the liquid. That's about the best I was hoping for. It works very well. After cleaning with it, I've noticed far less fingerprints on the device vs alcohol/distilled water combo. It takes seconds to remove everything and doesn't leave streaks. The cloth it comes with is huge and does a great job.

I have always used a Pec-pad, moistened very lightly with purified water. It's a daily routine for me to clean the iPad's screen every morning before I begin work. It might sound silly but I have a gallon of purified water (bought at local supermarket) that I keep in my closet with my package of Pec-pads. It works perfectly, and since Pec-pads are really designed to clean camera lenses and sensors, I could not think of a more suitable and gentile cleaning solution.

Myself, I would not feel comfortable using alcohol on the screen, and while it may not hurt to use alcohol, the routine solution I use works absolutely perfectly and in my many years of owning iPads, I've never had even the slightest scratch.

What's a PAC cloth?

I think some need more than purified water and a Pec-pad (whatever that is).

I just laugh when I hear what some people use...

Like what?

 

[bufffilm]

No, but I'm assuming that's probably something unavoidable. It's alcohol free and antibacterial in the liquid. That's about the best I was hoping for. It works very well. After cleaning with it, I've noticed far less fingerprints on the device vs alcohol/distilled water combo. It takes seconds to remove everything and doesn't leave streaks. The cloth it comes with is huge and does a great job.



What's a PAC cloth?


Like what?

If you are taking the iPad to coffee shops and similar places (where grease/oil/sticky contact with food and drink are prevalent)...you will need more than water and a microfiber cloth.

That's common sense talking.

Continue to use your mixture if you want. There are plenty of products out there already.

 

[Jodiuh]

If you are taking the iPad to coffee shops and similar places (where grease/oil/sticky contact with food and drink are prevalent)...you will need more than water and a microfiber cloth.

That's common sense talking.

Continue to use your mixture if you want. There are plenty of products out there already.

I try to set a napkin down, but visited the hospital yesterday. I'd rather it be clean than concerned about removing a coating that still shows fingerprints.

The ecomoist spray and cloth take less than 5 seconds to completely clean it. The screen seems to resist fingerprints more after using the spray than without.

Also, I just dropped the iPad hard and fast on a wood floor. It was in the apple silicon case and fell right on the screen. No scratches, cracks, nothing. Makes me wonder what in the heck I did to get that small scratch...which I haven't noticed in a week by the way. After today's drop, the honeymoon is now over. I've moved past stage 2 and am into stage 3: whipping it like a frisbee to a couch or bed when done using it.

 

[baconcow]

I put glass screen protectors on my iPhones/iPads immedietly after removing them from the box. As soon as the film is removed from the device the glass protector goes on. No exceptions. As such, m screens are always in perfect resale condition.

Do you not check the iPad and screen for defects, first (i.e. yellow tint, uneven backlighting, light bleed, dead pixels, etc.)?

 

[bufffilm]

Do you not check the iPad and screen for defects, first (i.e. yellow tint, uneven backlighting, light bleed, dead pixels, etc.)?

A self-evident question.

We need these like I need a hole in my head.