Is this staingate? What are my options?

[daniel_m]

This has been an issue on my 2015 13' Macbook pro for a while, but it has gotten progressively worse over the months/years. I have no warranty left, but I plan on getting this checked out at an authorized service provider soon, as I'm aware that they offer free repairs for qualified customers.

Does this look like staingate to you? My concern is that because it is less damage than many other cases, that the authorized provider will reject it. If that happens, I might consider using some sort of Polywatch (like in this video) to scrub off all of the coating, and use some sort of anti-glare matte screen protector to compensate. What do you think?

 

[DeanPSN]

Yes, that's exactly what it is and it's covered 4 years from purchase date, so go to your nearest Apple or AASP shop and they will replace it free of charge.
Just keep mind it will take few days to order new screen and fit it.

 

[tubeexperience]

Yes, that's staingate.

Apple should replace your display assembly for free.

 

[daniel_m]

Okay thanks guys. I don’t have an apple near me, but a London drugs near me is authorized apparently.

Really hope they don’t find some excuse to not have it done or to charge me.

 

[DeanPSN]

Okay thanks guys. I don’t have an apple near me, but a London drugs near me is authorized apparently.

Really hope they don’t find some excuse to not have it done or to charge me.

They won't do that, they will replace it with no questions asked.
Had same with a 2013 and 2015 13"MBP and they replaced without asking anything and said "oh, lcd delamination" and took them for repair.

 

[tubeexperience]

Okay thanks guys. I don’t have an apple near me, but a London drugs near me is authorized apparently.

Really hope they don’t find some excuse to not have it done or to charge me.

Of cause they won't.

They get to replace the display and sent the bill to Apple.

Why would they refuse?

 

[maflynn]

Okay thanks guys. I don’t have an apple near me, but a London drugs near me is authorized apparently.

Really hope they don’t find some excuse to not have it done or to charge me.

If you're worried, call apple and send it in or find another authorized apple dealer. You guys have better consumer protection laws then we do in the US, so I'd not be terribly worried.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Staingate, it is.
YOU SHOULD NOT WAIT to get this repaired.
Get started on it immediately.

BUT... I myself would trust ONLY Apple to do the repair right.
If that means "sending it off", well, that's what you're going to have to do.

You need to get on the phone with Apple Support.
Be prepared to send them pics (as you've posted above).
If they'll do the repair, they'll probably send you a packing box you can use to send them the MacBook.

 

[daniel_m]

Of cause they won't.

They get to replace the display and sent the bill to Apple.

Why would they refuse?

Oh, I didn't know they send the bill to Apple. I was thinking that they'll say it's not a product defect and that it was caused by me, and they can't do it for free. I have an appointment set for tomorrow, so I'll update this thread after they take a look at it.

OP:

Staingate, it is.
YOU SHOULD NOT WAIT to get this repaired.
Get started on it immediately.

BUT... I myself would trust ONLY Apple to do the repair right.
If that means "sending it off", well, that's what you're going to have to do.

You need to get on the phone with Apple Support.
Be prepared to send them pics (as you've posted above).
If they'll do the repair, they'll probably send you a packing box you can use to send them the MacBook.

Yeah, I would much rather have Apple do it, but I'll take a gamble here - they should be qualified to do the job right? I mean they're said to be authorized.. I spoke with Apple support through live chat and they told me that if it's a screen replacement, the third-party will probably send it in to Apple anyways.

 

[Chronus]

Took mine in 3 months ago to Meadowhall store, late 2013 15 inch, well out of warranty and even out of the 4 year fix. Apple not only replaced the screen but went to town on it, new keyboard, bottom plate, top plate, in fact only thing which was the same was the logic board, all for free under consumer law.

 

[daniel_m]

Just an update: it was approved and will be serviced!

Now another question: will the replacement screen also be susceptible to getting staingate? Did any of you have staingate come back on a replacement screen?

And if staingate is still a possibility - I imagine the only way to prevent it is through a screen protector. Anybody have experience with this?

 

[Fishrrman]

"will the replacement screen also be susceptible to getting staingate?"

Supposedly, Apple has refined the process by which the anti-glare coating is sprayed on.
BUT... I would consider ANY retina screen as having some susceptibility to StainGate.
So... YES... be careful about your handling of the new display.

"And if staingate is still a possibility - I imagine the only way to prevent it is through a screen protector."

NO !!!!
DO NOT use a "screen protector"!
Remember -- the anti-glare coating is comprised of small particles "sprayed onto" the surface of the display using an adhesive.
ANYTHING you "attach" to that surface has the potential to "flake off" particles on the sprayed-on surface.
I wouldn't trust ANY "screen protector" on a MacBook Pro retina screen.
But perhaps that's just me.

My recommendation for retina display care:
DON'T TOUCH the display.
Be careful opening and closing the cover (again, to avoid finger-contact with the display surface).
DON'T "wipe" the surface of the display directly. If there's dust on it, use a soft cloth and lightly "dust it over the surface" of the display, without "pressure" -- just enough to "dust away" any particles on the surface.
If there is something on the surface of the display, don't use anything other than a water-moistened cloth to remove it. Again, use as little pressure as possible to get it off. Then "dust" again with the soft cloth.

Over-careful?
Perhaps.
But my opinion is that Apple (in its quest to be "innovative", or whatever) did not make "durability" priority #1 when they set up the build process for their retina screens.