[BigKutta]

So, I have seen a few post on these boards about folks permanently staining or damaging their screens. What is the best way to clean them? Would those wet wipes that are used for laptop screens work?

I haven't had the need to clean my screen yet, so I just wipe with a dry microfiber towel. But I am sure one day my kids will put their grubby hands on it.

[sycd]

I made the huge mistake of taking our 5er to a car wash once and they left some streaks on the screen. Momentary lapse of reason I guess.

To fix this mess I bought a LCD/plasma TC cleaner kit from Best Buy (Monster Screenclean), comes with cleaner solution and microfiber towel.

Did a good job cleaning the screen with no side effects.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

So, I have seen a few post on these boards about folks permanently staining or damaging their screens. What is the best way to clean them? Would those wet wipes that are used for laptop screens work?

I haven't had the need to clean my screen yet, so I just wipe with a dry microfiber towel. But I am sure one day my kids will put their grubby hands on it.

I wipe my entire interior down (including screen) with a slighly damp soapy micro fiber cloth. It's good to have a warm soapy (dish washing soap, just a couple drops per gallon) water bucket nearby. I do this once a Month.

[yxc145]

I use the same cloth that I use to clean my eye glasses. Can't go wrong with that.

[AlexK]

Use Einszett Cockpit Premium - it's a water-based cleaner solution that is safe for various in-car displays, as well as any other part of interior. DO NOT let the "regular" car washes to abuse your interior with their junk products - there's a high chance of them smearing ArmorAll or similar silicone-based crap all over the displays and other transparent plastic parts in your car.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by AlexK

Use Einszett Cockpit Premium - it's a water-based cleaner solution that is safe for various in-car displays, as well as any other part of interior. DO NOT let the "regular" car washes to abuse your interior with their junk products - there's a high chance of them smearing ArmorAll or similar silicone-based crap all over the displays and other transparent plastic parts in your car.

I don't let the car wash guys in my car. I get the exterior wash only. Inside cleaning is all me.

[delvek]

I use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe off any dust, etc.

I have never had to use a liquid because nothing touches the screen.

[DentalBoy]

Originally Posted by delvek

I use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe off any dust, etc.

I have never had to use a liquid because nothing touches the screen.

Same here!!

[krugerjq]

Mine was scratched just by wiping it clean. I bought a anti-glare screen protector on EBay. Removed the screen and applied the protector. The scratch isn't visible any more. Now I only use a Microfiber cloth.

[CamelRyda]

Originally Posted by krugerjq

Mine was scratched just by wiping it clean. I bought a anti-glare screen protector on EBay. Removed the screen and applied the protector. The scratch isn't visible any more. Now I only use a Microfiber cloth.

Do you have the eBay link?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I wipe my entire interior down (including screen) with a slighly damp soapy micro fiber cloth. It's good to have a warm soapy (dish washing soap, just a couple drops per gallon) water bucket nearby. I do this once a Month.

If you do this you should follow it up with some protectant. I would use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It leaves the OEM finish (not greasy in any way) but provides UV protection. On the wood, I use wax for additional protection.

Also I tend not to use soap because it removes these protectants, but instead use a PH Neutral detailing spray.

[krugerjq]

Originally Posted by CamelRyda

Do you have the eBay link?

Just contact them first to get the right screen size. They have lots of standard sizes. The screen protector really helps...

http://stores.ebay.com/ScreenPatronu...1&_sid=6435390

[AlterZgo]

microfiber towel + water. That's it.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

If you do this you should follow it up with some protectant. I would use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It leaves the OEM finish (not greasy in any way) but provides UV protection. On the wood, I use wax for additional protection.

Also I tend not to use soap because it removes these protectants, but instead use a PH Neutral detailing spray.

I'll have to look into the 303 stuff. Meguiar used to make the non-shine interior protectant, which I really like. I used it for my tires as well, which doesn't fling and gives the tires a nice new tire look. I can't find it anymore.

Nothing is more annoying than a shiny and oily dash (aka- the Armor All look).

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I'll have to look into the 303 stuff. Meguiar used to make the non-shine interior protectant, which I really like. I used it for my tires as well, which doesn't fling and gives the tires a nice new tire look. I can't find it anymore.

Nothing is more annoying than a shiny and oily dash (aka- the Armor All look).

The 303 stuff is definitely non shine.

Also if your dash gets greasy - get 303 carpet and upholstery cleaner. It can remove any film from the surface, getting it back to OEM look, and then finish with the Aerospace protectant.

[JNoSol]

Good to know.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

So, I have seen a few post on these boards about folks permanently staining or damaging their screens. What is the best way to clean them? Would those wet wipes that are used for laptop screens work?

I haven't had the need to clean my screen yet, so I just wipe with a dry microfiber towel. But I am sure one day my kids will put their grubby hands on it.

The best thing for your screen is a super clean MF towel that is damp by water preferably distilled.

You want lubrication when wiping the screen with a cloth. If u have a fingerprint apply some slight pressure only with the damp cloth.

Only wipe left to right, never circular or never up and down.

Next, take a dry super clean MF towel (the kind used for glasses) and immediately dry the screen with two left / right strokes. It's okay to redo the edge. Only use light pressure when using a dry cloth. You have to switch from the damp to dry cloth right away. Yes, you can use three strokes, but you get the idea.

Why use a super clean cloth? Because any residue or grime no matter how small will act like sandpaper and scratch.

If you are ever in a jam, you can use the same process but use a damp scrunched up coffee filter and a dry coffee filter say at the office. They are always clean and leave no fibers on the screen. Follow the same wiping process above.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

The best thing for your screen is a super clean MF towel that is damp by water preferably distilled.

You want lubrication when wiping the screen with a cloth. If u have a fingerprint apply some slight pressure only with the damp cloth.

Only wipe left to right, never circular or never up and down.

Next, take a dry super clean MF towel (the kind used for glasses) and immediately dry the screen with two left / right strokes. It's okay to redo the edge. Only use light pressure when using a dry cloth. You have to switch from the damp to dry cloth right away. Yes, you can use three strokes, but you get the idea.

Why use a super clean cloth? Because any residue or grime no matter how small will act like sandpaper and scratch.

If you are ever in a jam, you can use the same process but use a damp scrunched up coffee filter and a dry coffee filter say at the office. They are always clean and leave no fibers on the screen. Follow the same wiping process above.

I used this very same technique to clean my screen for the first time (in 6 months of ownership). It had some spots and a lot of dust on it. However, before I started I vacuumed the screen (with an attachment that would not scratch the screen of course) to suck up all the dirt first. Worked like a charm and the screen looks like new. I know there have been complaints of the screens having permanent marks etc, but to be safe, use this technique with a damp MF cloth.

[fat dog]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I used this very same technique to clean my screen for the first time (in 6 months of ownership). It had some spots and a lot of dust on it. However, before I started I vacuumed the screen (with an attachment that would not scratch the screen of course) to suck up all the dirt first. Worked like a charm and the screen looks like new. I know there have been complaints of the screens having permanent marks etc, but to be safe, use this technique with a damp MF cloth.

If you can gently remove some dust and particles before wiping, this will reduce the risk of small contaminants getting caught in the "cloth" and scratching the screen. I use a pure lambswool duster to clean all the dust from the interior including the i-drive screen.

As said above, main thing then is to use a perfectly clean MF cloth with as litlle pressure as you can get away with. For any noticable marks (e.g. finger prints) then a little lubrication is necessary. Never substitute the lubrication by simply pressing harder. Water is good, distilled water better, but I also get a good result with a small amount of mild glass cleaner (sprayed on the MF rather than the screen) which I immediately remove with another clean, dry MF.

Not got any scratches anywhere after 3 months / 5000 miles.

[The X Men]

The swiffer duster work well for picking up dust from delicate areas. Periodically, I wipe down the screen with a eye glasses cleaning cloth, the silky type, not MF towel. About once a month, I use X-Clean and spray onto a MP towel to clean the screen.

http://www.xcln.com/