The Macbook Pro has one of the best retina display screens on laptops. It is such a shame to notice stain that doesn’t seem to go away no matter what you do. It is called the delamination or stain gate of the display screen.
It is possible to remove the anti-reflective coating of the Macbook pro by using a solution of water and baking soda, Listerine, rubbing alcohol, or Clorox wipes.
In this guide, we’ll tell you exactly how to remove the anti-reflective coating Macbook Pro and restore the screen as new.
Does MacBook Pro Have Anti-Reflective Coating?
Yes, Macbook Pro has an anti-reflective coating. Most Apple products, including the Macbook Pro, have a unique feature- the retina display. The retina display has a higher density of pixels and an anti-reflective coating.
However, many Macbook users have suffered an issue that causes the display screen to start to wear off. A stain appears on it and slowly starts getting bigger, spreading to the rest of the screen.
It can also affect the camera quality and color hues of the screen. Some specific reasons that could result in this problem are-
- Putting too much pressure on the screen on a regular basis.
- The heat from the CPU eventually ruins the screen.
- Sweat, oil, or residue dirt can block the screen when the lid of the Macbook is closed.
- In a crowded place, pressure against the screen all at once can result in this issue.
- Applying and scrubbing strong cleaners that are harmful to the retina screen.
Once even a small corner of the Macbook Pro anti-reflective screen starts peeling, the rest of the screen very soon faces the same fate too.
How To Remove Anti Reflective Coating Macbook Pro
Of course, nobody likes such an eyesore of a stain on their expensive everyday used electronics. So the first thought that comes to mind is to repair or fix the screen. However, the anti-reflective coating Macbook Pro retina display can not be fixed. The only options you have are-
- Remove the damaged and stained anti-reflective coating
- Get a new retina display screen for the Macbook Pro
Getting an entirely new display screen can be expensive and needless if you can remove the stains at home yourself. Here are some simple ways you can remove the Anti-reflective Macbook Pro.
1. Baking Soda And Water
Baking soda has a hardness (2.7) less than the hardness of the glass retina display (4-7) of the Macbook Pro. Therefore, baking soda doesn’t scratch the display screen but can easily clean off the stain.
- Mix baking soda and water to form a solution. The consistency must be thick, paste-like, and not too runny or watery. The ratio could be 2:1 for baking soda and water. You can use 2 spoons of baking soda with 1 spoon of water to create the thick paste.
- Use a soft cloth to dip it into the paste and start to clean the screen. Remember not to put too much pressure and go in a circular motion to not leave any unwanted marks on the screen. The stain should start to come off in this process.
- Take another soft clean and a damp cloth and wipe off the paste from the screen completely. Remember not to leave any residue product on the screen.
- If the stains are not completely gone by this time, repeat the entire process a couple of times until the screen becomes clean as new with all the anti-reflective coating gone.
This method might just be the best to remove the anti-reflective coating because baking soda is a safe abrasive agent for this job. Be careful not to pour any kind of liquid or water directly onto the Macbook Pro screen. Sometimes, the paste could get stuck in the corners of the screen. In that case, use a dry toothbrush to gently coax it out of the corners and wipe it off.
2. Listerine
Listerine is a very effective mouthwash, as we are all aware. It can also be used to remove the anti-reflective coating as an alternative to the baking soda and water solution.
Pour some Listerine on a microfiber cloth and gently rub it in a circular motion on the damaged part of the screen. You will notice the coating being removed slowly. Wipe off the screen with a clean cloth in the end. Always remember not to pour any Listerine directly on the screen as it is liquid. No drops of liquid should enter your Macbook Pro at all.
3. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are another great option to remove the anti-reflective coating on Macbook Pro. The effectiveness of wet wipes depends on the brand and the composition of the one you decide to use. Remember that you can not use any brand of wet wipes with harmful ingredients in them for using it on your screen. Wet wipes containing Clorox are a great option for this.
Use wet wipes in a circular motion on your damaged screen. After the anti-reflective coating is removed fully, dry the screen off with a dry microfiber cloth. And you’re done!
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol is the most useful material to make a chemical reaction happen and get the coating out immediately without putting physical pressure on the screen. Isopropyl at 90% can be a good option to remove the anti-reflective coating of your Macbook Pro.
However, there are risks involving using very strong alcohol on your screen. It has the potential to damage the screen in another way. Sometimes, it doesn’t remove the anti-reflective coating completely either. So it is best not to use this method when you can use baking soda and water safely.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Anti-Reflective Coating On MacBook Pro?
If you have decided that removing the anti-reflective coating on Macbook Pro is not worth it and would rather go for a new screen, then you can contact the Apple Service Center.
The experts will efficiently replace the damaged Macbook Pro display screen and install a new one. However, the Cost To Fix a MacBook Screen is pretty expensive. It will cost you between 500$ to 800$, depending on the model and version of your Macbook Pro.
Unauthorized repair centers might charge a little less to replace the screen, but official Apple Service Centers will only decrease the charge from this if you have guaranteed AppleCare.
The reason for such high cost is that they don’t really fix the already damaged screen. Rather they pair up a whole new retina display screen to your Macbook Pro, and that screen is extremely costly.
Should I Remove The Anti-Reflective Coating Or Keep It As Is?
In case you’re wondering whether or not you should remove the anti-reflective coating, it actually depends on two things-
- Is your Macbook eligible for free repair?
- How much screen area has the stain gate damaged?
Apple only recently decided to offer a free refilling program due to user outrage to fix the retina display of the Macbook Pro. The Macbook is only eligible for this within four years of purchase. So if your Macbook is older than that, we recommend removing the anti-reflective coating yourself at home using the steps mentioned above rather than getting a replacement at a hefty price.
On the other hand, sometimes the damage is too little to be noticeable. There is no reason to remove the coating if it is not getting in the way of your work or looking too unsightly. You can keep it as it is. However, the damage can sometimes spread all over the display screen, making it impossible to maintain workflow. The screen looks too damaged as well. In that case, you should remove the anti-reflective coating of your Macbook Pro.
Another thing to consider is that you will lose the anti-reflective privileges of your Macbook Pro screen after removing the coating. This will make working in the sunlight on your Macbook Pro troublesome for you. So if you are okay with that, you can go for it.
Bottom Line
Considering all of your options according to the information you gained from this article, you should first decide if you want to remove the anti-reflective coating of your Macbook Pro. If yes, the instructions as to how to remove the anti-reflective coating Macbook Pro are right here.
Remember to invest in a good anti-reflective screen protector for the Macbook Pro after this removal to save it from further damage and protect you from screen glare.