PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Here is a simple way to fix a smudged or scratched monitor. It is necessary to have a clean display surface before attempting scratch repair.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Smudges and Other Residues

PDF download Download Article
  • If you have scratches, avoid rubbing residues into them during cleaning.
  • Never use abrasive solutions
  • Never use solvents other than water on screens with ARAG coating/film.
  1. (Do not use tap water, as it can leave a deposit or streaks from the mineral content - use Deionized water instead!)
  2. Advertisement
  3. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Fine Scratches in ARAG coating (most CRT and all LCD)

PDF download Download Article
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Scratches Deeper than Coating or On Non-Coated CRT (rare)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is irreversible, make sure you can buy replacement ARAG film.
  2. Glass repair resins may be more effective for very deep scratches.
  3. Make sure the new film is similar in properties to the original. Be sure to check your gray scale tracking and adjust the display as necessary to avoid color and luminance distortion due to varied transmittance of new coating.
  4. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • If you are performing this on a laptop, tip the screen back as far as it will go so water doesn't get on the keyboard.
  • The best cloths to use are the soft golden colored ones with the zigzag edges.
  • To determine whether your display has ARAG coating, check for purple colored reflections from the glass. Most anti reflective coatings reflect the high and low end of the visible light spectrum, reducing mainly the reflected light from the middle of the spectrum. Beware some displays have an anti static coating which can not be identified with this method.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Degauss a Computer MonitorDegauss a Computer Monitor
Remove a Laptop ScreenRemove a Laptop Screen
Make Any Picture Your Computer's Wallpaper Make Any Picture Your Computer or Phone's Wallpaper
Get an Animated Desktop Background2 Simple Ways to Get Animated Desktop Wallpapers
Check Your Screen Resolution Check Your Screen Resolution on PC, Mac, & Chromebook
Set Up Dual MonitorsSimple Ways to Set Up Dual Monitors on Your Computer
Turn Your Computer Screen Upside DownRotating Your Screen on Windows, Chromebook, iOS, & More
Change the Screen Resolution on a PC6 Quick Ways to Change the Screen Resolution on a PC
Acer Screen Flickering5 Easy Ways to Fix Your Acer Screen If It's Flickering
Fix a Rotated ScreenFix a Rotated Screen
Change Your CursorChange Your Cursor
Connect a Gaming Console to a Computer MonitorConnect a Gaming Console to a Computer Monitor
Rotate Your Computer Screen Rotate a Computer Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide
Black Spot in Laptop ScreenGet Rid of that Black Spot on Your Laptop Screen
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 113,808 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 25
Updated: June 4, 2020
Views: 113,808
Categories: Displays
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 113,808 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement