Difficulty

Easy

Steps

5

Time Required

                          1 - 10 minutes

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1

  • How to Restore or Apply an Oleophobic Coating
  • 5 steps

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Introduction

The coating requires 8-12 hours to set, so it’s best to perform this procedure before bedtime.

Modern smartphones feature an oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating that protects the screen, improves smoothness, and reduces fingerprints. This coating consists of a thin layer of fluoropolymer-based solids (similar to Teflon) that is bonded to the glass.

Over time and use, this coating will wear off, and you may notice parts of the screen getting greasy or dirty with fingerprints more easily.

What you need

Step 1

              Clean the surface
  • Use isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly clean the surface you are planning to apply the coating to.
  • Wipe the screen dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Use isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly clean the surface you are planning to apply the coating to.

Wipe the screen dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

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Step 2

              Prepare a wiping finger
  • Read the next three steps before you attempt the procedure. The oleophobic coating’s liquid solvent evaporates very quickly when applied, so you’ll need to work quickly.
  • Wrap one finger in a bit of plastic. You can use a sandwich bag or some plastic wrap.
  • You will use this covered finger to rub the coating liquid onto the screen. This will prevent your finger from absorbing the liquid.

Read the next three steps before you attempt the procedure. The oleophobic coating’s liquid solvent evaporates very quickly when applied, so you’ll need to work quickly.

Wrap one finger in a bit of plastic. You can use a sandwich bag or some plastic wrap.

You will use this covered finger to rub the coating liquid onto the screen. This will prevent your finger from absorbing the liquid.

Step 3

              Apply the coating to the surface
  • Apply 10-15 drops of the oleophobic coating liquid onto the surface.
  • If you are coating a large surface such as a large phone or tablet, apply ten drops to a portion of the screen, and work on one portion at a time.

Apply 10-15 drops of the oleophobic coating liquid onto the surface.

If you are coating a large surface such as a large phone or tablet, apply ten drops to a portion of the screen, and work on one portion at a time.

Step 4

              Distribute the coating
  • Wipe your plastic-covered finger over the surface with quick, light swipes until the liquid evaporates.
  • You don’t need to rub very hard—you’re just spreading out the coating molecules onto the surface before the solvent evaporates.
  • If you applied the liquid to only a portion of the surface, repeat the liquid application and rubbing procedure to the remaining surface.

Wipe your plastic-covered finger over the surface with quick, light swipes until the liquid evaporates.

You don’t need to rub very hard—you’re just spreading out the coating molecules onto the surface before the solvent evaporates.

If you applied the liquid to only a portion of the surface, repeat the liquid application and rubbing procedure to the remaining surface.

Step 5

              Give the coating time to set
  • Do not touch the surface for 8-12 hours in order to allow the coating to bond to the surface.
  • For best results, apply the coating before bedtime, so it has all night to bond.
  • Afterward, you can wipe off any residue remaining on the touch screen with a clean microfiber cloth.
  • Repeat this process 2-3 times to fully maximize the oleophobic coating performance and film durability.

Do not touch the surface for 8-12 hours in order to allow the coating to bond to the surface.

For best results, apply the coating before bedtime, so it has all night to bond.

Afterward, you can wipe off any residue remaining on the touch screen with a clean microfiber cloth.

Repeat this process 2-3 times to fully maximize the oleophobic coating performance and film durability.

Done properly, this results in a perfect oleophobic coating on your device.

Your device will still collect some fingerprints, but the oil left behind by your fingers will be greatly reduced, and easier to wipe off.

Reapply the coating every 1-2 months or as needed.

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                    Arthur Shi

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Peter Gordon - Mar 11, 2014

Reply

Very interesting guide. Awesome.

Do I have to remove the coating that is on the device when it’s new?

Especially when the coating has some very small scratches?

And if yes, how to remove it?

Thanks

Alex Pappajohn - Dec 10, 2014

Reply

I recommend avoiding this for the iPhone 6. The curved screen simply directs the liquid into the casing.

ckeyser - Jan 2, 2015

Reply

Tried this with my iPhone 6. Seems to work pretty well. I’ll do a few more quotes. I noticed this actually had a beneficial effect on screen scratches. Filled them in pretty well, blends with the screen more.

Talk about a happy accident!

Salvador Martinez - Jan 26, 2015

Robert Backhaus - Mar 14, 2020

The part of the instructions that are a problem is testing with drops of water - The case of the phone might catch these drops and allow them inside the phone. Just don’t test it with drops of water and you’ll be fine.