Is your MacBook screen covered in ugly stains? If you've been affected by staingate, Apple might possibly still repair it for free.
There was a ongoing Anti-Reflective Coating Repair Program officially for MacBooks not older than 4 years since the date of the original purchase but in some cases this has been extended.
In case you are not sure whether you’re eligible for the free repair, I would recommend visiting an Apple store or your local retailer to see if they can help before you consider dealing with this issue yourself.
Staingate, or delamination, is when the anti-reflective coating on screens wears off, causing a stain-like appearance. It is a known issue in MacBook models and tends to happen after several months of regular use. A common aggravator of staingate is the pressure exerted on the screen by the keys and trackpad when a MacBook is closed. Additionally, staingate can also occur due to the recurred use of cleaning agents and microfibre cloths.
Once the reflective surface begins to peel, it is only a matter of time before it affects the rest of your screen. Not only does this look concerning, but it can also affect your webcam and colour clarity. For professionals that need these a perfect screen, it is well worth the effort to fix any staingate issues that arise.
Firstly I would suggest you check whether or not your computer is eligible for a free repair.
In case you are not eligible for the free repair and not willing to pay for the replacement of your screen, you may want to consider removing the anti-reflective coating.
If you are questioning whether it’s worth removing, here are my thoughts.
If your screen has only minor defects, and you don’t really notice the issue in everyday use, I would not recommend removing it and leave as is, bare in mind it will only get worse and you can always remove it later.
If the delamination is very noticeable covering the a lot of your screen and disrupts your workflow, especially for those working with video or graphics, removing it can be a simple certainly help.
However, it is important to realise you will be giving up the anti-reflective properties of your display completely.
If you’re using your computer mostly indoors (or in places without direct sunlight) where higher reflectivity isn’t an issue, then it could be the way to go.
If higher reflectivity is an issue for you, you could consider getting a screen protector with anti-glare properties and as mentioned earlier some have anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant qualities.
First off all it’s a design flaw, so it’s unclear whether you can ever prevent this problem from appearing on your MacBook.
There are however factors that can certainly speed up the process of delamination.
you will find a few preventative measures you can take to minimise the chance of delamination However, in my experience even if you take all precautionary measures imaginable the delamination problem may still occur.
The anti-reflective layer on your MacBook or MacBook Pro can not be repaired. Your only options are to have the whole screen of your MacBook replaced or to remove the damaged anti-reflective coating all together.
There are anti-glare screen protectors on the market which can help solve the lack of anti-glare after removing the reflective layer It’s a simple and inexpensive solution for those who want the anti-reflective qualities of the display, and some have anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant qualities, Personally I dont use or like them but I have had several happy clients that do.
Aside from aesthetics, most delamination in MacBook screens doesn't cause any real problems when in use. If staingate doesn’t bother you that much, be sure to weigh out the risks before you decide to go ahead and attempt to repair it yourself as there is a minor chance you can damage display especially if applying too much pressure.
However, if like myself you can't put up with the stains any more, here are some of several solutions found online that have been successfull in using.
On the Mohs Hardness scale according to Wikipedia, glass has a hardness level between 5.5 to 7.
Sodium Bicarbonate or the more commonly know Baking Soda is 2.5. As a result, it should be impossible for baking soda to scratch the display, but it abrasive enough to remove the rest of the coating on your MacBook screen.
For this method, mix baking soda with water until it creates a paste. Then, apply the solution to your screen in a circular motion with a light touch. Next, wipe off the solution using a cloth dampened with water. Lastly, use a soft toothbrush to brush out any remaining baking soda from the sides of the screen.
Be very careful not to let any liquid get inside your MacBook while trying this, I found it best by laying the MacBook display down on a kitchen towel whilst supporting the base.
As an alternative to using sodium bicarbonate, I have has success in using baby or wet wipes. It took a little more elbow grease and time but I had good results.
The effectiveness may depend on the brand and composition but usage in the same, Use wipe in a circular motion on your screen. Then, wipe off any remaining wet spots with a microfibre cloth.
While there are other recommendations online, caution must be taken as to which ones you decide, as brands may not use the same formulation. also none of these methods where explicitly designed for the purpose of cleaning your screen therefore not without risk.
