My Compaq Presario laptop has some sort of decorative, vaguely shimmery paint
or something on part of the area below the keyboard---to either side of the
trackpad and between the keyboard and the trackpad.  It appears that some of
this paint or whatever it is has been rubbing off on the screen---there's an
arc of something on the screen, and a corresponding area on the wrist area
that is missing a layer of whatever this coating is.

Does anyone know how to get this crap off my screen, and keep any more of it
from rubbing off?  Screen wipes and dry dusters have been largely ineffective,
and i'm not fully familiar with the effect of water on LCD screens. . . .

7 responses total.

Water should be safe, but avoid anything containing ammonia.

This is what we send to our end-users where I work:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have received a few questions on the proper way to clean laptop and
other LCD (flat) screens.  It is important to remember that these
displays are not glass like the larger CRT monitors, and that certain
chemicals can do irreparable harm (for example, ammonia can turn the
screen yellow). Also, anything more abrasive than a cotton t-shirt (a
paper towel for example) is too abrasive. They can etch the screen,
resulting in streaks and glare.

The optimal combination is a soft cloth, like one you would use for
eyeglasses, and a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. The
expensive LCD cleaners you find in stores are simply a fancy bottle with
the same 50/50 mixture.  Please remember, anything that contains
acetone, ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride
will destroy your screen.  Windex contains ammonia which will eat away
the anti-reflective coating on your screen.  Please do not use Windex!

To clean your LCD screen, follow these steps:

CAUTION:
Isopropyl Alcohol is a flammable liquid.

1. Power off your computer and monitor.
2. Wipe the screen gently with a soft DRY cloth.
3. If marks remain, moisten the cloth with your cleaning liquid. 

Remember: do not spray or pour any liquids directly onto the screen.
Gently stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from
the top of the display to the bottom.

4. Be sure the LCD or flat panel screen is dry before closing it or
powering on your computer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps!

Is that 50% of 70% or 91% isopropyl alcohol in the mixture?

It probably doesn't matter, but I would assume 91% isopropyl alcohol.
That would leave you fairly close to a 50:50 mixture.

I think the exact proportions aren't very important. Straight water 
works pretty well if you don't have a lot of oily fingerprints on the 
screen. The alcohol is there partly to remove oils, and partly to make 
the solution evaporate faster. 

WHy not detergent?

Detergents would be OK as long as they don't contain any of the harmful 
chemicals listed. But detergents don't usually dry without leaving 
streaks. 

Response not possible - You must register and login before posting.

- Backtalk version 1.3.30 - Copyright 1996-2006, Jan Wolter and Steve Weiss