Hacking I have a question about 'scratches' on my DS Lite

[Amici]

Recently, I was installing a new screen protector on my flawlessly unscratched touchscreen since the old one was looking pretty old already. I was having a little trouble installing the new one since a bit of dust always seems to find its way underneath the screen, so I kinda used a damp cloth to clean the screen whenever something went underneath. However, once I thought I got it perfectly, to my horror, I found 3 scratches around the lower right center area of the screen! Well, at least I think they're scratches, because I tried cleaning them and they won't move.

I took off the protector again and tried wiping it, hoping they're not scratches, but they won't come off. However, I'm kinda skeptical if they really are scratches because when I rub my fingernails on the scratches, they feel as smooth as they've ever been. Plus, the 'scratches' seem like they're underneath the touch screen itself. Now, I don't know where these 'pseudoscratches' came from ;P Has anyone gotten similar lesions on their screens before? Are they just dust underneath the touch screen? Or are they really scratches, but scratches from underneath? And if they are, how did they get there? I never opened up my DS Lite before. Hopefully you guys can give me some peace of mind.. Thanks

 

[Toni Plutonij]

It is probably just some weird shading, you can't actually scratch screen from the inside....and I doubt it's dust..

It's probably nothing....just apply that screen protector carefully, and you'll be fine

 

[Amici]

Actually, it doesn't really affect gameplay.

Only 1 speck is visible during actual gameplay and it's hardly noticeable. This question is more for curiosity's sake..want to know how it got there. Can it be moisture from wiping it with the damp cloth? Because it wasn't there before and now my flawless screen ain't flawless no more =P

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Well, it could be from cleaning, yes....But those screens aren't that sensitive!!

 

[UltraMagnus]

I leave my screen unprotected (is it really necessary with the clamshell design?), and sometimes I notice the sort of things you are talking about when it catches the light just right, but I can't see them at all during gameplay. I would guess they are some sort of trail left by the stylus (perhaps the stylus wearing away?) and figure eventually the whole screen will be totally covered in them....

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

My guess would be that they are swirls. Maybe when you tried to clean the touch screen, there was dirt and you moved it.

 

[Amici]

Okay, Thanks for the prompt replies guys. I guess I'll just have to live with them. Still pisses me off that I dunno where the hell they came from =P More so that they're under the screen

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

I highly doubt they are underneath. Just because you can't feel a scratch, doesn't mean it's not there. I'm a car detailer, a car can have MANY scratches or swirls on one panel and still feel as smooth as glass. In this case, it's your DS screen, which is much smoother than car paint since it is not exposed to any chemicals or elements that can corrode. A CD can have scratches and you still can't feel it.

 

[Amici]

@JDMEVOIXMR

Really? I suppose that is possible, but when I look at the 'scratches' at the right angle (that it, when they're visible), then try to 'touch' them, it seems like they're underneath the screen.


fingernail
.....| |
.....| |
___[]_____________ outer layer of touch screen
---------scratch--------- inner layer



Um, a very poor diagram of what I see when I try to touch it. It doesn't feel like it's on the surface. BTW, I'm not being stubborn, just want to know. Thanks for the reply though

EDIT: BTW, what are swirls? And how are they different from your normal everyday scratches?

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

These are swirls:

They are mini scratches that come in circles. Scratches are cuts to the clearcoat and sometimes go straight through the clearcoat. They can be removed by diminishing abrasives but I think that's kind of drastic for a DS, LOL.

Hmm, there could be another possibility the scratch IS under the screen, caused from you dragging the stylus too hard. Not really a scratch, but more of an indent.

 

[Amici]

Oh cool, so those are swirls... but unfortunately mine don't look like that, they're thicker and look like glass stain thingys...hmm, I'll try and take a picture of it within the next few days and ask about it again

Thanks for the explanation, learned something new today heh.

But in any case, is there a way to hide/reduce scratches or swirls on the touch screen? I've heard everything from using toothpaste or turtle wax but I really don't know which to trust. Of course, I'm not expecting a cure-all solution, but am hoping maybe there's a way to 'hide the blemishes' somehow

Also, if it really is under the screen, is opening up the DS the only way to get there?

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

Yes, the only way to get there is to take apart the DS. Na sa pinas ka ba o galin ka lang doon? Pwede mong gamitin ang Meguiar's Scratch X kaso di guaranteed na matatangal yung mga scratch. Sobra naman para sa DS lang, IMO. Nakikita mo ba kung bukas ang DS?

 

[Amici]

Pucha pinoy ka pala. Hehe. California ka kasi galing e

Where can I buy that Meguiar's Scratch X and how much? I want to try it, mejo particular ako sa mga ganitong bagay e.

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

Hanapin mo lang sa target o sa walmart, kasi doon ang mas mura. Mga $7 lang. Eto yun

Magingat ka lang kasi baka masira ang screen, screen lang yan. I'm actually afraid that the ScratchX will get stuck in the borders. Kung di mo mattangal, eh di bumili ka nalang ng bagong screen sa dealextreme.com. Dali naman eh lagay kaso the sesitivity will be reduced and it might be a different color from your top screen.

 

[lolzed]

dude,as much as i hate to say it,you can't speak tagalog here,in the forum rules

 

[Amici]

Okay, hehe. Got a lil carried away with that. Hmm, I am in the Philippines, so those shops are out of the question. I guess I'll just find out if Ace Hardware or Handyman carries it.

Really? Are there really sensitivity problems with installing a replacement screen? I'm not yet to the point of buying one, I suppose this is just handy info to know just in case.

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

Ahh, I forgot, lol sorry! ><

There are problems based on the reviews I've read and the fact that the screens are not OEM.

 

[Amici]

Hmmm, okay, thanks for the replies! I suppose I'll have to find that scratchX thing here and try it out, if not, just gonna have to live with that scratch (though it still drives me crazy from time to time). I may try Greenhills to see if there's any affordable touch screen repairs available.

 

[Amici]

It seems the speck/scratches are really underneath the screen. I took off the screen protector (fortunately it's reusable

), then applied pressure on the screen (BTW, will doing this damage my touch screen? It appears okay though) just enough so it'll touch the layer underneath, and lo and behold it does look like it's under. Maybe I'll invest on a triwing screwdriver or something =P