Apple Staingate
Let's start with the basics! What do you need to know about Apple Staingate?
What is an Apple staingate exactly? You definitely need to know the answer to this question if you are planning to buy a Mac soon, especially if you have a refurbished piece.
Apple Staingate is used to describe a very common aesthetic fault that unfortunately often occurs on Apple machines. The point is that an anti-glare layer applied to the glass surface of the screen, which will peel off over time, or some parts of the coating will start to peel off over time. The noticeable phenomenon of this error is that noticeable spots appear on the display. It doesn’t affect the operation, all the functions run great on the machine, but the display looks pretty ugly. We have already seen a serious case where the whole screen was affected by the detachment, that was very ugly!
Apple acknowledged the bug on machines before 2017, but in our experience, unfortunately, the bug will affect machines after that as well – Apple has yet to acknowledge that the bug is still exists. It is also strange that Apple does not acknowledge the continued existence of the defect because the coating applied has not been changed, at least not in a way that prevents the problem from occurring. If we look at the MacBook Pros 2016 and the MacBook Airs 2018, for example, the coating used looks exactly the same. Because of this, even after so many years, staining occurs, which is a problem for many users, especially those with a MacBook Air.
Of course, like everything The Apple Staingate can be fixed. How?
For the first time, we may be wondering how it can be 8 years since an error was discovered, and the problem still exists. It’s a good question… And Apple’s response isn’t really satisfactory, as they’re not so much a user experience as they started a display replacement program under legal pressure.
Since then, machines have undergone two complete redesigns, but they still use the same coating. It’s hard enough that they still haven’t found a better coating, a final solution. Apple’s replacement program originally covered several older models, but they were also removed from the program as soon as they became “vintage.” Currently, the 2015-2017 MacBook Pro (13 “and 15”) and 12 “MacBooks have a four-year replacement program from the date of manufacture. As the limit is 4 years, very few of the 2015 models will be eligible, while many of the 2016 models are already outside the program. Even those from 2015 are still in the program just because Apple still sold that product in 2016.
This is a full list of machines currently in Apple’s replacement program (of course with the 4 year limit):
- MacBook Pro 13″ Early 2015
- MacBook Pro 13″ 2016
- MacBook Pro 13″ 2017
- MacBook Pro 15″ Mid 2015
- MacBook Pro 15″ 2016
- MacBook Pro 15″ 2017
- Macbook 12″ Early 2015
- Macbook 12″ Early 2016
- Macbook 12″ Early 2017
Staingate removal
Unfortunately, many MacBook Pro and some MacBooks cannot be repaired due to this very common problem. So, what can a user do with this problem if it is not included in Apple’s repair program? You can continue to use your machine with Staingate, but over time, the user experience will get worse as the patch spreads quickly depending on usage. You can request a display replacement, or you can have the anti-glare coating removed. The latter solution is usually quite unbelievable to owners, but not as terrifying as it seems, in fact, one of the most common solutions. There are several ways to remove the coating, from isopropyl alcohol or baby wipes to polishing compounds. Hard work and some of the time can be reduced with a Dremel or polishing head electric drill, but we have generally found that it is better to do this work with patience and soft cloth.
Removing the anti-glare layer will, of course, result in the screen shining better, but the actual surface and image will remain clearer. Of course, it should be noted that this solution is not 100% perfect either, as the stains cannot be removed completely, the corners and edges can remain very strongly there. Obviously, these parts don’t affect the image you want to use, but when we go into a fix, we always tell our customers in advance so that no one is surprised after. This may not be a brand-new display, but the cheapest possible solution still provides a much clearer picture.
We’ve been working on this type of repair for years, and while we’re hoping to change Apple, that time hasn’t arrived yet. If you’re thinking now about buying an Apple MacBook Pro, we recommend that you be aware that the machine is still Staingate or not.
We hope Apple will redesign and fix this bug soon. If you need us for advice when buying a repaired or a new device, feel free to contact us!
We are here to help you
Whether it's fixing a bug like this or trying to buy a new device, our experts are always here for you. Contact us for consultation!
Contact us- €950.00
Apple iMac 21.5" (2019 Early)
- €399.00
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2015 early) A1502
- €599.00
Apple Mac Pro Quad-Core Pc 3.7