Scratch removal from instrument display (plastic)

[RJS]

The plastic screen on my Leica Disto D5

has picked up a lot of fine scratches on the screen. This wouldn't be a problem were it not for the fact that, unlike older Distos, it doesn't have a telescope viewer but has a small camera and LCD. The scratches make the image on the LCD difficult to see in bright light.

Suggestions please for how to polish the scratches out and what polish to use.

Remarkably the scratches seem to be caused by the protective bag supplied with the Disto. But I can't go down the route of complaining about the bag.

TIA

Richard

[gremlin_95]

This:

to be rated fairly highly in the world of detailing/valeting.

[Thomas Prufer]

You've got suggestions as to how to polish...

Have a look at 3M Vicuity screen protectors. They say that the adhesive will flow into fine scratches and make them invisible. And the stuff does come off again fairly easily.

Thomas Prufer

[Mike Lane]

RJS wrote on Dec 21, 2011:

I've used 'Displex' to remove scratches on a plastic watch front, and also a mobile phone display. Both were quite successful. See:

[Thomas Prufer]

More time this morning, and googled the advertising:

"Vikuiti? Durable Quick Clean Matte Film (DQC-M) is designed to repair LCDs quickly without having to replace the entire screen panel. DQC-M utilizes a patented adhesive that repairs LCD display surfaces by filling in most surface irregularities such as indentations and scratches ? rendering them virtually undetectable.

"DQC-M is a permanent film that provides long-lasting protection while helping to prevent further damage. The durable hard coat and easy-to-clean surface helps protect the screen from scuffing and scratches. There is no visible coating degradation with exposure to MEK, acetone, motor oil, cola or permanent marker and it repels ink marks so they wipe away easily. Designed for professional use by LCD repair centers, DQC-M is a quick fix that will save time and money over replacing the polarizer and/or the entire LCD module."

Not affiliated, etc.

Thomas Prufer

[polygonum]

Would that provide a reasonable means of "converting" a gloss screen to = =

matte? Thinking about a new lappie and such a large proportion are gloss= y =

- but am not convinced I could put up with the reflections.

[Thomas Prufer]

Yup. There's glossy and matt and touch-screen-compatible kinds. I've used only the glossy, but that gets shoved in a pocket with keys and stuff, and it does last...

Thomas Prufer

[Thomas Prufer]

Well, depends on the scratches, of course. Still, a foil is reasonable approach, as the scratches come from the carrying case and will reappear, so a tougher and replaceable surface make sense. And polishing is no good if there's any coating on the plastic -- GameBoys have such a coating...

Besides, if it isn't good enough in filling scratches: the stuff comes off again, and can be reapplied after a polish.

Thomas Prufer

[RJS]

Further thanks to all contributors!

Richard