How to remove scratches from a smartphone screen

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Only really working and proven methods.

What is important to know before removing scratches from a smartphone screen

Why do we see scratches

They have sharp edges that reflect light and make damage easily visible. That is why small abrasions are usually striking on the extinguished display, and when the backlight is turned on, they are hardly noticeable or not visible at all.

What scratches can be removed

A distinction should be made between the types of scratches. All tempered glass screens have a special oleophobic coating, thanks to which fewer prints are collected on it and fingers glide better. First of all, it is it that suffers: over time, a thin layer of spraying is erased from touching with hands, rubbing against clothes.

If you see small abrasions at a certain angle and they do not cling to your fingernail, then most likely these are not glass scratches, but an oleophobic coating. Fortunately, it can be restored.

Deeper lesions that are visible from any angle and can be clearly felt with the fingers may not be able to be removed completely. But they can also be made less noticeable by polishing.

Which methods work and which don't

To get rid of a scratch, you need to fill it with something, smooth out sharp edges or cover it from above. There are not many ways to do this. In the first case, an oleophobic composition is used, which is able to clog shallow depressions. Smoothing is polishing with an abrasive paste. And to cover the screen in order to change the refraction of light and hide scratches, you can use a protective film or glass.

Toothpaste, baking soda, baby powder, vegetable oil and other tips that the Internet is full of do not work. And although there is some logic in them, the result is likely to be dubious. Paste, soda and dusting powder act as abrasives, and oil replaces oleophobic dusting. But what is the point of experimenting with improvised means if there are things specially designed for this?

What can be polished

Special polishing pastes and compounds are best suited. For example, well-known since the times of the USSR, which was used for fine-tuning optics and processing jewelry. It is produced in the form of green bars, reminiscent of plasticine, and comes in different grain sizes: No. 1 is the finest, No. 2-4 - coarser.

Another variant -. It is a specialized agent that is used for polishing car windows and in the production of glass products.

Also suitable are professional polishing pastes, which are used by craftsmen to treat paintwork in cars.

Will the display deteriorate from this?

Polishing has the greatest impact on the screen. After it, the oleophobic coating is guaranteed to be removed. Although it can be restored for a certain period of time and, if necessary, it is easy to repeat the procedure.

The sensor and display will not be polished in any way. If, of course, you are careful not to put pressure on the gadget as much as possible. This, by the way, is not necessary: such diligence will not affect the quality.

It is important to remember that if the screen protector is not made of glass, but of plastic, then it is better not to polish it or do it very carefully. The plastic can easily overheat, it will become cloudy and the display will be damaged.

How to remove scratches from a smartphone screen

1. Restore the oleophobic coating

As mentioned above, this option is suitable for minor scratches, as well as to return the screen to usability after polishing.

What is needed

• ;
• cling film or bag;
• alcohol;
• microfiber cloth.

How to do

1. Use rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean the screen to remove all dirt and degrease it.
2. Wrap your finger in cling film, a bag, or other non-absorbent material.
3. Apply a few drops of the composition to the screen and distribute it evenly with a prepared finger. Act quickly as the liquid evaporates instantly. You do not need to press and rub it into the screen: just spread it over the surface.
4. Do not use your smartphone for 8-12 hours to freeze the oleophobic film. Given this, it is most convenient to carry out the procedure before bedtime.
5. Wipe off the rest of the composition with a dry microfiber cloth, and the smartphone can be used.

2. Stick on protective glass or film

Deeper scratches can be easily hidden by gluing glass or film to the screen. The thicker the protection, the deeper scratches it masks. Even a crack will not be visible under the massive glass.

For details of the process, see the separate step-by-step instructions for applying glass and film. In short, this is done as follows.

Thoroughly clean and degrease the screen, carefully remove the auxiliary layer from the glass or film and, accurately measuring, apply to the front panel. All that remains is to disperse the remaining air with a plastic card.

3. Polish the screen

If you do not want to hide scratches under protection, then polishing is the most effective option to completely remove or at least reduce abrasions.

What is needed

• GOI paste, cerium oxide or polishing paste;
• soft napkins;
• masking tape.

How to do

1. Take masking tape and paste over the smartphone screen around the perimeter so that the polishing compound does not get on the case. Also cover ports, speaker openings, microphones, and other slots.
2. Apply a small amount of the product to a napkin: rub it with GOI paste, drop a few drops of polishing compound or cerium oxide powder mixed with water to a slurry state.
3. Wipe the screen surface with a tissue for several minutes with light circular motions without pressure.
4. With a clean, slightly damp cloth, wipe off the remaining paste and evaluate the effect. Reapply the compound if necessary and carry out another polishing step.
5. When you are satisfied with the result, clean the screen with a tissue and remove the masking tape. If desired, restore the oleophobic coating with a special compound.