hi everyone, rcently purchased samsung 42 dlp. is there a proper way to clean the screen, especially nicotine. currently using a feather duster. any info will be well appreciated. thank you. jim happy new year to all.

I have always been a fan of microfiber cloths. They pick up the dust instead of just moving it around.

I have always been a fan of microfiber cloths. They pick up the dust instead of just moving it around.

Yeah, but what about more than just dust? The OP mentioned nicotine as well, which can deposit, and create a film on the screen. I'm curious what the best suggested method is as well. Being a smoker myself, I've been wondering what is the suggested method to clean a plasma screen.

I used to use Invisible Glass from Stoner on my old TV, and it worked fine. However, with a brand new plasma, I don't want to risk messing something up in the first few months of ownership.

-Jeff

Best for the OP to check the owner's manual.

Lint or not, 100% clean cotton is the least likely to scratch a plastic screen or to remove any anti glare coating.

Micro-fiber fabric may be more likely to scratch plastic or remove coatings than soft clean cotton (although clean may be the key-wash before use kind of drill).

I heard quite awhile ago to only use distilled water to clean the screen. Anything else might scratch it because of impurities (minerals). I put some in a spray bottle. It works great with a clean micro-fiber cloth.

Actually it is the other way around with microfiber and cotton. There is a reason that auto detailers switched form diapers to microfiber. The fibers pull any big particles away from the surface into the towel so they aren't ground into the clear coat. Even so starting with a clean towel is the most important. :)

I did some asking around at my FNHTS and they had some good suggestions. For cleaning solutions the manual is the best source. If they don't say in there find out if yours is a glass or plastic screen. The glass ones are easiest to clean since they are harder to scratch and most of the coatings can handle basic washing. TV coatings are not the same as the ones on CRT computer monitors. Those are prone to damage. The TV ones are designed for a little more hostile environment. The best suggestion was eyeglass cleaner for treated lenses. The same anti glare/polarizing for glasses is often used on plasmas. The same formula is also used in camera lens cleaner. The next thing is the cloth. If the screen has a thin coating or shows fingerprints easily then they suggest camera lens cleaning sheets. Not yellow ones but the paper kind or the silk like eyeglass ones. Both are a pain to use because they aren't really designed to cover that much area but ...

For thin plastic, like on LCD TVs, they suggest laptop screen cleaners. The thicker screens follow the same rules as with glass.

In all cases they suggest a light touch. Scrubbing is asking for problems. This is really tough for smokers since smoke sticks to the screen and doesn't want to come off most of the time. So for the sake of the TV don't smoke around it. Any other benefits, cleaner lungs, lower cancer risk, extra funding for a bigger TV and projector for the money saved is just a minor perk. ;)

Anyone using Purosol?

What about this Office Depot® Screen Cleaner (http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=246811&Ntt=screen%20cleaner&uniqueSearchFlag=true&An=text) ?

http://www.officedepot.com/pictures/SK/LG/246811_sk_lg.jpg

Personally I just use Windex or similar generic glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Spray it on the cloth then wipe the screen.

Also after seeing what smoking does to the inside of a TV during my younger days repairing TV's, I do not allow smoking in my house.

Smoking is hazardous to your toys circuits.

With regards to smoke, nicotine is not the problem, it is tar and smoke particles that condense on the screen, eventually forming a sticky yellowish brown layer of gunk. Basically, the smoke will slowly destroy your TV. It will condense on the inside of the screen, the mirrors, etc. where you can't get at it. Microfiber cloth is the tool of choice, but you will probably have to use a cleaning fluid stronger than water to remove the residue. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol on my laptop screen, followed by water to remove the streaks left by the alcohol, but you should check with the manufacturer before selecting a cleaning fluid, and never use any fluid that does not list its ingredients.

For the love of god, do not use Windex.
Or any other ammonia-based product. Trust me, ammonia and TV's is not a good combination.
Chances are, your instruction manual agrees with me too.

That Office Depot Screen Cleaner, along with many others out there, is safe to use - gentle on the screen - and will do a great job at cleaning.
Usually that stuff will be < $25 for a decently sized bottle that should last about 3 years for a 50" screen that gets cleaned weekly. Most come with a micro-fibre cloth too. Overall not a bad investment.

Will work great on the smoke residue on your tv - along with any computer screens and anything else in the house. Definately worth picking up.

Cheers,
Matt

When I was projectionist for UCI cinemas and Warner Bros I would often hear jokes like cleaning the screen with a Q-tip! :D

http://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/admin/whatsnew/wnew_uploads/96_Q-TIP_HGHRZ_doc1.jpg

One other thing if you’re a smoker then you’re screen is going to be buggered up within a year if you smoke in the home cinema! Number #1 rule no pop corn and no smoking!

The absolute perfect solution for cleaning any screen is a Micro-Fiber cloth and White Vinegar. The downside is the smell, but it disipates in minutes. White Vinegar leaves no residue and removes all ie; fingerprints, nicotine, dust, etc...

It's simple, cheap and VERY effective!

TM

I bought this stuff at walmart, Phillips cleans plasma and LCD screens is what is written on the box for around $13. It comes with a cloth and some blue gel stuff in a spray bottle, it doesn't run or drip. Drys like alcohol but think it's something else and gets the screen clean with no effort, matter of fact used it on my laptop months ago and still clean.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_SVC2540_27_US_CONSUMER/Plasma---LCD-screen-cleaner+SVC2540-27

I bought this stuff at walmart, Phillips cleans plasma and LCD screens is what is written on the box for around $13. It comes with a cloth and some blue gel stuff in a spray bottle, it doesn't run or drip. Drys like alcohol but think it's something else and gets the screen clean with no effort, matter of fact used it on my laptop months ago and still clean.


I will have to look for some of this stuff the next time I'm at Wally World.

Ive heard several different arguments for both Soft Cotton or Microfiber for LCD cleaning.

I just bought GE LCD/Plasma TV Screen Cleaning System at Target it looks alot like the Philips lcd cleaner you bought. It doesn't have a list of ingredients on the label or at their website all it says is : Ultimate formula to remove dust, dirt & fingerprints without damaging your screen
Includes LCD screen cleaning spray (6.76 oz/200 ml), anti-static dust brush & microfiber polishing cloth
For use with flat-screen TVs, laptop monitors, portable audio/video players, PDAs, digital cameras, sunglasses, eyeglasses & camcorders
Anyone have any experiance with this cleaner. Considering returning it unopened. Thought for sure I could find the ingredients listed online but found nothing.

I use rubbing alcohol...if its over 90% alcohol it will evaporate quickly. I dont know about cigarette smoke but when I used to smoke it cleaned my waterpipe...left it brand new looking.

[QUOTE=dagger666;14453503]I bought this stuff at walmart, Phillips cleans plasma and LCD screens is what is written on the box for around $13. It comes with a cloth and some blue gel stuff in a spray bottle, it doesn't run or drip. Drys like alcohol but think it's something else and gets the screen clean with no effort, matter of fact used it on my laptop months ago and still clean.



I tried this stuff. Followed the directions and all it did was streak the cig tar:mad: I didnt aggressivly go at it for fear of damaging my screen. Still searching for a cure!

I use rubbing alcohol...if its over 90% alcohol it will evaporate quickly. I dont know about cigarette smoke but when I used to smoke it cleaned my waterpipe...left it brand new looking.

And your bong had a plastic coating?.......little to much smoking perhaps??:D