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Throdog · May 20, 2003, 08:45 PM

Help!

I keep getting dirty powerbook screens with the outline of keyboard key, I'm guessing finger oil from the screen closing to close. Anyone know any good screen cleaners?

Thanks

waxcrash · May 20, 2003, 08:50 PM

Some people recommend iKlear.

I personally find a mild soap solution with water works well.

silverghost · May 20, 2003, 09:41 PM

yup use klear screen, if ya look in your powerbook manual apple recomends this stuff.

i use it on my 17" LCD also, oh yeah and my TiSD.

oh well hope that helps.

aloha

AssassyN · May 20, 2003, 09:49 PM

I wouldn't go out and purchase any special cleaner unless it's really bad. I'd just use the suggestion deluted soapy water on a very soft cloth to gentle clean the screen. Screen Protectors like the RadTech ScreenSavRz and the cloth included with the Apple 23" HD Display work very well also.

stevesnj · May 20, 2003, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
Some people recommend iKlear.

I personally find a mild soap solution with water works well.

NEVER EVER EVER USE SOAP AND WATER!!!!. Use a tissue slightly dampened with water. Soap will damage your screen. Use a specified cleaner for stubborn marks. Or just repeat with the water dampened tissue.

Jim Paradise · May 20, 2003, 11:25 PM

After doing a search in these forums for screen cleaners, a few people mentioned vinegar and water work well... but perhaps that was for the outside of the Powerbook?

iWrite · May 21, 2003, 12:27 AM

Warm water on a dampened lint free cloth works fine.

rhansen_x · May 21, 2003, 09:09 AM

I have found that the best cloth is actually a cloth diaper.

waxcrash · 10:12 AM

Originally posted by stevesnj:
NEVER EVER EVER USE SOAP AND WATER!!!!. Use a tissue slightly dampened with water. Soap will damage your screen. Use a specified cleaner for stubborn marks. Or just repeat with the water dampened tissue.

On page 16 and 17 of my Cinema Display's User Manual:

Cleaning the Screen and Case

Your Apple Cinema Display comes with a cleaning cloth for wiping it down. If you need to clean the screen or case beyond wiping it down, follow these instuctions:

1. Turn your computer and display off.

2. Disconnect the display's power cord from the electical outlet or power strip.

3. Disconnect the USB and DVI cables from the back of the computer.

4. Clean the screen with soft, lint-free paper or cloth dampened with mild soap and water.

If you don't believe me, download the user manual here.

tooki · May 21, 2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by stevesnj:
NEVER EVER EVER USE SOAP AND WATER!!!!. Use a tissue slightly dampened with water. Soap will damage your screen. Use a specified cleaner for stubborn marks. Or just repeat with the water dampened tissue.

Nonsense.

My suggestion: Formula 409. I've been using it on my PowerBook for years (on all parts of it) with no trouble. Just be sure to properly wipe the screen such as to not leave streaks. I suppose you could dilute it if you wanted.

The only things I'd say to avoid are solvents (other than ethanol and isopropanol, both AKA rubbing alcohol), since many of them can dissolve plastic. And if you do use alcohol, be sure it's the purest kind (you may have to ask for it specifically from the pharmacist), because most rubbing alcohol contains additives which leave a film when it dries.

tooki

beanman · May 23, 2003, 07:52 AM

Just so I'm clear on this...is there anything wrong with using rubbing alcohol on your screen? I know a guy who has used it on his Wallstreet many, many times over the years with no problems. It seems that it would be a hell of a lot more better than soap and water!

Appleman · May 23, 2003, 08:29 AM

I lately went to an Apple Repair Centre with my TiBook and they cleened it (while waiting for rebooting) with this .

They said they use it for all screens, crt & lcd.

yellow no.5 · May 23, 2003, 11:51 AM

Warm water, soft cloth, and some tender lovin' care works for me. I also have recently been using two paper sheets to keep the marks from even happening.

-yno.5

iDaver · May 23, 2003, 01:57 PM

Water and vinegar, diluted about eight to one, works great.

Alcohol or ammonia (glass cleaner) will eventually begin to remove the anti-glare coating.

tooki · May 23, 2003, 02:57 PM

Nah.

Rubbing alcohol (isopropanol or ethanol)is safe. So is glass cleaner. (Read my post above!)

There is no anti-glare coating on PowerBooks (not the way there is on CRTs). It's just a kinda frosted surface of the plastic.

Water and vinegar work fine, too. Alcohol will dry faster.

But don't use things like paint thinner, acetone or ketone (nail polish remover), or any petroleum-based solvent. Many of them can dissolve plastic, which definitely can damage your screen! (I've seen what happens: where you cleaned goes frosty, making it hard to read.)

tooki

P.S. Those fancy, wildly overpriced screen cleaners are generally alcohol-based.

coolmacdude · May 23, 2003, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by stevesnj:
NEVER EVER EVER USE SOAP AND WATER!!!!. Use a tissue slightly dampened with water. Soap will damage your screen. Use a specified cleaner for stubborn marks. Or just repeat with the water dampened tissue.

Using a little soap will not damage the screen, unless it is something abrasive like Comet or Ajax.

stevesnj · May 23, 2003, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
On page 16 and 17 of my Cinema Display's User Manual:

Cleaning the Screen and Case

Your Apple Cinema Display comes with a cleaning cloth for wiping it down. If you need to clean the screen or case beyond wiping it down, follow these instuctions:

1. Turn your computer and display off.

2. Disconnect the display's power cord from the electical outlet or power strip.

3. Disconnect the USB and DVI cables from the back of the computer.

4. Clean the screen with soft, lint-free paper or cloth dampened with mild soap and water.

If you don't believe me, download the user manual here.

He is not cleaning a Cinema display...but I got this form Apple's supprt site which does mentin Flat Pnel Dsplays...but still does not mention soap to clean a PowerBook screen. His owners manual may say different.

How To Clean an LCD Panel

Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
60446
7/30/99
5/7/02

TOPIC

This article describes the best way to clean an LCD panel such as those used on PowerBook computers and Apple flat panel displays.

DISCUSSION

To clean the LCD:
1. Turn off the computer or display. You may need to turn off the computer in order to turn off some Apple displays.
2. Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only.
3. Wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.

You may also use a mild glass cleaner that contains no alcohol or ammonia. Most office supply stores sell cleaning kits specifically designed for this purpose.

While there are many commercial products available that will work without damaging the plastics, Apple has tested a product called Klear Screen made by Meridrew Enterprises (http://www.klearscreen.com) and found it does not cause any harm to the plastics. This product may not be available worldwide.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute Apple's recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

iWrite · May 23, 2003, 03:53 PM

I say just clean it with SoftScrub then wipe it dry with fine grit sandpaper. Should get it REALLY clean.

(JUST KIDDING -- do NOT -- I repeat DO NOT do this!)

iDaver · May 23, 2003, 05:37 PM

This is a quote from the Klearscreen website FAQ. Take it for true, or not. Obviously they want to sell more of their product but it's why I avoid anything other than vinegar and water.

"Don't make a $2,000 mistake cleaning your laptop screen with a $2 glass cleaner & a paper towel! LCD display screens are almost universally made of plastic. Plastics & computer manufacturers consistently do not recommend alcohol or ammonia - based cleaners. Repeated applications of alcohol on plastic will turn your screen surface "yellow", make it brittle and cause "stress cracking" (hairline scratches) on your screen surface."