Oleophobic coating wearing off?

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I've always been a screen protector guy (formerly plastic), so I've been used to fingerprints, but typically how long after using the glass do you guys notice the oleophobic coating to wear off?

It's been 5-6 months with my glass protector on my N5 and its definitely a fingerprint fest now. I was just looking at my N4 which I went naked after Google sold them for $250, and fingerprints don't rub off easily either. Same with my iPhone 5 (naked for 9 months).

The reason I ask is because with my new OnePlus One, I just installed a glass protector last week and its no effort to wipe off fingerprints. I'm wondering how long til it starts wearing off.

And has anyone tried reapplying the oleophobic coating? https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HOW+TO+COAT+Anti+Fingerprint+Oleophobic+Coating+by+yourself/9682/1

Edit: So yes I talked about glass screen protectors and naked devices, but in my experience both seem to have their anti-fingerprint (oleophobic) coating wear off as they become more susceptible to retaining smudges/finger oil.

 

[dlock13]

I don't have any metrics, but I have seen many forum discussions as well as articles regarding the oleophobic coating wiping off. It sucks, but I don't believe there's anyway to prevent that from happening.

 

[Red Storm]

I've never noticed it happening, but it's probably because I never keep my devices long enough for it to wear off?

 

[dlock13]

I've never noticed it happening, but it's probably because I never keep my devices long enough for it to wear off?

That's the same case with me.

Also, OP, you're using a glass screen protector? More than likely that manufacturer didn't use the same process as smartphone glass. I can tell you that my "oleophobic" screen protector, while decent, doesn't do the same job as my iPhone 5S' oleophobic coated glass. Try taking off the protector and you'll see what I mean. You'll probably barely notice any fingerprints.

 

[Red Storm]

That's the same case with me.

Also, you're using a glass screen protector? More than likely that manufacturer didn't use the same process as smartphone glass. I can tell you that my "oleophobic" screen protector, while decent, doesn't do the same job as my iPhone 5S' oleophobic coated glass. Try taking off the protector and you'll see what I mean. You'll probably barely notice any fingerprints.

Oh I don't use any screen protector, I thought we were talking about the device screen.

 

[dlock13]

Oh I don't use any screen protector, I thought we were talking about the device screen.

I meant the OP. If you read the OP's text, it looks like he was talking about a glass screen protector.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That's the same case with me.

Also, OP, you're using a glass screen protector? More than likely that manufacturer didn't use the same process as smartphone glass. I can tell you that my "oleophobic" screen protector, while decent, doesn't do the same job as my iPhone 5S' oleophobic coated glass. Try taking off the protector and you'll see what I mean. You'll probably barely notice any fingerprints.

I'm talking about my N5 glass screen protector, and other device screens. My N4 (device screen) which I just gave to my parents last month is a fingerprint magnet already. I took off the screen protector summer 2013 when Google cut prices (I figured I would just replace it if I shattered the screen), and so the N4 probably only got 5-6 months of use until the N5 came out (bought on launch day).

So it seems to me the N4 oleophobic protector wore out by then. My iPhone 5 (naked) is 9-10 months old right now (got it post 5s launch), and its worn out too. So it seems to me glass screen protector OR naked device seems to have oleophobic coating wearing off.

 

[eGeekUniverse]

I have used it once on an iPhone 3 and got great results. I have several other friends who tried it and said they didn't notice any change. Quality of the coating might play a role as well.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I have used it once on an iPhone 3 and got great results. I have several other friends who tried it and said they didn't notice any change. Quality of the coating might play a role as well.

True, but I would think Apple uses high quality stuff in general. One could make the excuse the N4 is a cheap phone which is why the oleophobic coating wears off, but even on my iPhone its worn off. But yeah I'll give it a shot when my screens/screen protectors wear out again.

 

[Ravynmagi]

My Nook tablets didn't have any coating, and a forum user suggested using RainX (stuff you put on car windshields to repell rain). And it works great. Though I need to reapply it every few months. And you need to be careful with the stuff, I noticed it stained the plastic bezels around the first Nook Color I put it on, so avoid contacting any plastic when applying.

 

[eGeekUniverse]

True, but I would think Apple uses high quality stuff in general. One could make the excuse the N4 is a cheap phone which is why the oleophobic coating wears off, but even on my iPhone its worn off. But yeah I'll give it a shot when my screens/screen protectors wear out again.

Yeah i'm sure Apple is of a higher quality. When mine wore out it had had very heavy use and it lasted for quite a while till it wore out. I'm sure it a case of you get what you pay for. The stuff did work great for me but I haven't tried it since.

 

[eGeekUniverse]

My Nook tablets didn't have any coating, and a forum user suggested using RainX (stuff you put on car windshields to repell rain). And it works great. Though I need to reapply it every few months. And you need to be careful with the stuff, I noticed it stained the plastic bezels around the first Nook Color I put it on, so avoid contacting any plastic when applying.

Wow, I have never heard of that one. I'll have to give it a try on one of my older devices and see how it works. Thanks for the info/tip.