cleaning and minimizing a scratch on my monitor

[redhouse]

So I just bought a used Dell 3007WFP steeply discounted due to an approximately 4 inch scratch visible in the picture below.

I'm looking for cleaning tips. e.g. Might rubbing alcohol cause damage if it got in the scratch?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[EliteRetard]

Picture not working?

Also...NO ALCOHOL! That will essentially "melt" your screen.

Clean water and a lint free cloth/towel.
Usually if there is a scratch some of the plastic is still hanging around (can you feel the scratch?) and you want to essentially scrape it off. You can try rubbing it smooth with a nice new soft eraser or the corner of very fine sandpaper creased or even your fingernail or a sharp blade very carefully. Just getting the scratch smoothed out should help...then I think the best bet is probably to try to fill it. I'm pretty sure there are scratch repair/fill kits but never used one myself. I've even heard of people using acrylic glue (nothing with acetone) or Vaseline to try to fill scratches. The problem is the screen is not just plastic, its got coatings and such and you don't want the coating to come off or you'll have a far worse problem.

 

[redhouse]

Thanks for the tips! For the picture, I choose a white background because that makes the scratch the most visible. The picture makes the overall image look a lot worse than it looks to the naked eye. For example, the lines and color distortion in the picture aren't there when you're just looking at. I'm also running it at half the recommended resolution because I'm using single-link dvi until the dual-link dvi comes in the mail. Thanks again for your advice!

added: oh! I take it you meant that the image I provided wasn't working. I used a link to my dropbox, maybe this will work better: https://plus.google.com/photos/1117...17452433074?banner=pwa&authkey=CI_Sp5zIxaOMcg

 

[KingFatty]

There is a plastic wax that is used for scratched motorcycle visors - makes it easier to see through them and minimizes the effect of scratches. Maybe try that? You can find it at most motorcycle shops.

 

[EliteRetard]

That link worked, that is a pretty gnarly scratch...one of them looks like it might have even punctured the screen. No way to "fix" that, just minimize it...will take some time and effort. If you use the eraser, just rub light/moderate with the direction of the scratch. Your trying to smooth the ripped up edges of the scratch and remove any of the material that may be hanging loose. You don't want to go crazy in circles or rub across the scratch as you may abrade the area around it. It may take a few minutes, just be careful/patient. Any filler you try will work much better with a smooth scratch.

I wouldn't try the more abrasive/dangerous methods until you try a soft approach first.

 

[Bryf50]

It depends on how deep the scratch is and it might be just a little extreme but you may be able to remove the Anti-Glare coating completely from the screen. This would fix the scratch assuming that it was only as deep as this first layer. This would also turn it into a glossy monitor that will be quite reflective. There are a few guides out there and it seems it generally involves soaking the panel of the screen for a few hours with paper towels. So definitely not recommending you do that just something to think about.

 

[KingFatty]

Please try non-destructive approaches first! Once you start abrading the screen, that's a point of no return.

First, please try easy things like wax or transparent fillers to see if that solves the problem. Even if you still have scraps of torn screen surface flapping in the wind, the wax will fill in the gaps and re-establish the continuity of the material so the light passes through with less effect (see graphic below). And if you use the wax and it's not good enough, you can clean it off and there is no loss to the severity of the scratch.

Then, if the wax still is not good enough, then you can resort to destructive methods like sanding/lapping or pulling the shreds of plastic off.

But really, I think the wax is perfect for this because it's specifically designed for restoring optical clarity to scratched surfaces.

I use this on my visors and I've also used it to fix a scratched CD.

Plexus - see more info here:
http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/aboutf.html
http://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Plastic-Cleaner-Protectant-13-Ounce/dp/B00092CKN4