Oleophobic Coating

[rexxsor]

Had the Pixel 3 since Nov 2018 and I noticed the oleophobic coating seems terrible. Wiping away smudges only makes it worse. Is it just me? Considering to buy a matte screen protector just to avoid this.

This is my only major complaint thus far, everything else has been awesome. Camera is amazing. Overall usage and performance is smooth. Battery life not so much, but I am a very heavy user anyway so I really don't expect my battey to last a full day.

 

[ptkelly]

For me, it's the opposite. I bought some screen protectors when I bought the Pixel 3 but the oleophobic coating is so fantastic I've not put them on. I don't need to clean my screen even once a week.

 

[mrpackerguy]

I don't trust myself with any screen. The armorsuit protector is working well for me.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Had the Pixel 3 since Nov 2018 and I noticed the oleophobic coating seems terrible. Wiping away smudges only makes it worse. Is it just me? Considering to buy a matte screen protector just to avoid this.

This is my only major complaint thus far, everything else has been awesome. Camera is amazing. Overall usage and performance is smooth. Battery life not so much, but I am a very heavy user anyway so I really don't expect my battey to last a full day.

Did it seem terrible when you first got it, or has it been something you've only grown to notice lately?

Oleophobic treatments do wear over time. If you use any alcohol-based cleansers/wipes to clean your screen, this can dramatically accelerate the deterioration. I can't attest to how long it will remain "good" under normal use as I do keep a screen protector on mine, though.

 

[mustang7757]

I've always used a screen protector, so wouldn't know how long it would last but curious.

 

[rexxsor]

For me, it's the opposite. I bought some screen protectors when I bought the Pixel 3 but the oleophobic coating is so fantastic I've not put them on. I don't need to clean my screen even once a week.

That's awesome. How long have you been using the phone?

 

[rexxsor]

Did it seem terrible when you first got it, or has it been something you've only grown to notice lately?

Oleophobic treatments do wear over time. If you use any alcohol-based cleansers/wipes to clean your screen, this can dramatically accelerate the deterioration. I can't attest to how long it will remain "good" under normal use as I do keep a screen protector on mine, though.

I remember it to be quite good when I first got the phone. Difficult to know exactly when it started to go bad since it is something you only notice once it becomes really bad.

 

[o4liberty]

Going on two months with my 3 and no screen protector yet just haven't put it on and so far no issues with my glass. I will say its much better than my apple devices are they smudge very easily and need cleaning more often.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I remember it to be quite good when I first got the phone. Difficult to know exactly when it started to go bad since it is something you only notice once it becomes really bad.

It'll wear differently for different people depending on a number of factors, such as how naturally oily your hands/skin are, makeup (if worn), means by which it is cleaned (microfiber cloth is best bet), ambient conditions (salt air, etc). It is just a coating, so will wear.

There are some companies that offer products you can use to reapply an oleophobic coating, though I've never really looked into their cost and effectiveness.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+apply+anti-fingerprint+oleophobic+coating/9682

 

[ptkelly]

That's awesome. How long have you been using the phone?

My sister brought it to me in early January.

 

[eric002]

Honestly, the oliophobic coating on my 3 XL screen is pretty good. every smart phone screen is going to get fingerprints smudges on it. That's just the nature of technology. I'm anal about cleanliness so I try my best to keep it as clean as possible. However, I will say that with the new gesture UI, having smudges on the screen does help to fluidity of navigating around the operating system. Hahaha

 

[rexxsor]

Honestly, the oliophobic coating on my 3 XL screen is pretty good. every smart phone screen is going to get fingerprints smudges on it. That's just the nature of technology. I'm anal about cleanliness so I try my best to keep it as clean as possible. However, I will say that with the new gesture UI, having smudges on the screen does help to fluidity of navigating around the operating system. Hahaha

That's a very positive attitude towards smudges. Hahaha

 

[rexxsor]

It'll wear differently for different people depending on a number of factors, such as how naturally oily your hands/skin are, makeup (if worn), means by which it is cleaned (microfiber cloth is best bet), ambient conditions (salt air, etc). It is just a coating, so will wear.

There are some companies that offer products you can use to reapply an oleophobic coating, though I've never really looked into their cost and effectiveness.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+apply+anti-fingerprint+oleophobic+coating/9682

Thanks for the info. Will look into the coating application if it's something I might consider.

You're right, I possibly have oily fingers and am quite a heavy mobile phone user. Also currently living in a warm humid country.

I compared to my friend's iPhone X, which is a year older. The iPhone coating was in a much better state. But yeah, not all factors are the same.

 

[eric002]

Thanks for the info. Will look into the coating application if it's something I might consider.

You're right, I possibly have oily fingers and am quite a heavy mobile phone user. Also currently living in a warm humid country.

I compared to my friend's iPhone X, which is a year older. The iPhone coating was in a much better state. But yeah, not all factors are the same.

actually, I looked into the oleophobic coating you can buy. Unfortunately though, the amazon.com links are broken or they don't exist anymore. at one point years ago I tried to buy some oliophobic coating for one of my older Nexus phones but I never bought anything.

That's a very positive attitude towards smudges. Hahaha

Yes, thanks I tried. I mean sure I'm anal and I try my best to keep the phone screen smudge free completely. However, the second you go to swipe around an application on your phone, or send a message out, or do anything on your phone, you're going to get it smudged up! It's inevitable. Sure you can get a screen protector with them smart free advertisement, but in my opinion, screen protectors don't look particularly good on phones. And I've never been so convinced that's screen protectors add that much more layer of protection from drops or spills or falls.

 

[Jeremy8000]

actually, I looked into the oleophobic coating you can buy. Unfortunately though, the amazon.com links are broken or they don't exist anymore.

Not vouching for the product in any way, but this link still works: https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Armo...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6555329

Edit - as an aside, it just occurred to me that every screen protector I've ever bought comes with an alcohol wipe to clean the screen before installation... which, of course, damages the coating. Not that big a deal if you'll always have a SP installed, but if you ever later decide to go 'naked' it'll already be partially stripped.

 

[eric002]

Not vouching for the product in any way, but this link still works: https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Armo...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6555330

Actually ironically, that was the product I had looked at years ago! Good find. I mean don't get me wrong, it's an interesting thing to do I just don't know if the phones screen actually needs it.

 

[eric002]

Not vouching for the product in any way, but this link still works: https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Armo...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6555691

Edit - as an aside, it just occurred to me that every screen protector I've ever bought comes with an alcohol wipe to clean the screen before installation... which, of course, damages the coating. Not that big a deal if you'll always have a SP installed, but if you ever later decide to go 'naked' it'll already be partially stripped.

Just out of curiosity, do you think it would be a good idea to try applying Rain-X with a microfiber towel to the screen of our phones, then buffing out? Reason I ask is rain-x is an oliophobic coating.

 

[ptkelly]

We could have some tips of safe phoning. For example, do not pick your nose with the same finger you use to navigate with gestures.

 

[Mike Dee]

Not vouching for the product in any way, but this link still works: https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Armo...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6555710

Edit - as an aside, it just occurred to me that every screen protector I've ever bought comes with an alcohol wipe to clean the screen before installation... which, of course, damages the coating. Not that big a deal if you'll always have a SP installed, but if you ever later decide to go 'naked' it'll already be partially stripped.

Some wipes don't contain alcohol. Realistically using an occasional alcohol wipe to install a screen protector won't kill your coating, especially compared to using your phone without a protector.

 

[HyperM3]

Some wipes don't contain alcohol. Realistically using an occasional alcohol wipe to install a screen protector won't kill your coating, especially compared to using your phone without a protector.

What about those glasses wipes you can pick up from Lens Crafters? Do those contain alcohol?