Two simple things is all it needs:
Simply mix the sanitized water and IPA in equal parts (1:1) inside a bottle of spray. Any used household cleaning bottles will likely be fine for this, but ensure that you rinse well with sterilized water before using. Be aware that regular water contains dissolved minerals and salts that could scratch or leave residues on the monitor so do not rinse with plain tap water. IPA is unlike ethyl-based alcohols such as drinkable spirits. Don't try and substitute IPA for some leftover spirits, as non-IPA alcohols damage the screen surface. You should purchase IPA in 70% concentration in some electronic specialist stores, or on eBay. If you're able to only find 99% IPA it's possible to dilute it to the preferred concentration; whichever IPA you obtain, bear in mind it evaporates readily; don't purchase too much at the same time, always make sure the bottle is tightly sealed and kept in a cool place.
Cleaning the screen -
As well as your distilled water and IPA solution, you require a high-quality microfibre cloth. TFT monitor screens are considerably less resilient than glass screens, so you can't just use any old cleaning rag. In addition to being very soft, microfibre clothes also hold in dust and dirt and prevent smeary residues that will hamper any cleaning effort on your part.
Turn your screen off and make sure it is cool - CCFL backlit PC monitors in particular may become quite warm after prolonged use, and this may cause the solution to evaporate too quickly for an effective clean. Apply the solution straight to the microfibre cloth - sparingly is best, since it is not as likely to leave a residue and you can always apply more a little later. Gently rub down and up (not in circles and not horizontally), ideally covering no more than a few inches of the screen surface at any time. You may even find it helps to apply slightly more pressure on the downward stroke to avoid smearing - but remember that applying excessive pressure on to the screen can harm the pixels and the screen itself is delicate.
A complete clean should take no less than 5 minutes for a relatively small screen and your arm may get tired if you reach over a desk. You shouldn't be afraid to unplug your monitor, detach the stand (if possible) and put it against a soft surface for a much more thorough and comfortable clean. If you have an existing pre-made TFT cleaning solution that is suitable for your monitor, please feel free to use this first together with the method shown. Whichever solution you select, you may find that a slight residue remains - the fantastic thing about using rubbing alcohol and distilled water is the fact that solution slices through grease and quickly evaporates to ensure that residues are unlikely. If you do notice some residue, apply a bit more of the solution to the cloth and repeat the cleaning method. It could be that you applied excessive solution on the first clean, in this case you should allow the cloth to dry and rub the screen without solution.
You should now be able to enjoy the cleanliness and image clarity that you got when you first started using your PC monitor. If you still aren't satisfied with your monitor then maybe it's time for a new screen.
No comments:
Post a Comment