How to Clean Car Screens Without Scratches

Modern cars have screens everywhere — Virtual Cockpit, MMI, climate controls, sometimes even in the back. They look fantastic, but every fingerprint, speck of dust and little smudge shows up. So you grab the nearest cloth and give the screen a quick wipe. And that's where the trouble starts. You could end up scratching the screen or permanently dulling its coating. And once that happens, ordinary cleaning won't put it right.

Why are car screens so delicate?

Your car's screens have two important coatings — anti-reflective and oleophobic. The first reduces glare from the sun, while the second helps stop fingerprints sticking so easily. But here's the catch! Cleaners containing alcohol or ammonia, along with rough cloths, can ruin both coatings. Once they're damaged, you'll notice more sunlight reflecting off the screen, and fingerprints will show up even more easily.

What should you never do?

Don't reach for glass cleaner or an all-purpose cleaning spray.
Forget wet wipes, paper towels and kitchen sponges.
Never spray cleaner directly onto the screen.
Don't press too hard. Some screens really don't tolerate pressure.

How to clean car screens without scratches

Switch off the screen or the car. You'll be able to see the marks more clearly.
First, gently remove the dust with a soft microfibre cloth.
Spray a little specialist screen cleaner onto the cloth, never directly onto the screen.
Wipe gently, using light movements without applying pressure.
Dry the screen with the clean side of the cloth.

Never clean your screen with the same cloth you've used on the dashboard or windows. Dust and tiny grains of grit get trapped in it. Just one wipe can be enough to scratch the coating. I'm telling you this because I want to save you the hassle. Because when the damage is done, it's you paying out of your own pocket, not the workshop.

What if your screen is already scratched?

It depends on how badly it's scratched. Light marks can sometimes be fixed, but deep scratches and worn coatings won't magically disappear with a cleaning product. At that point, you're looking at replacing the glass or the entire display. That's why I keep telling you — look after it now rather than trying to work out how to fix it later.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: Here's one simple piece of advice. Keep a separate microfibre cloth in your glovebox just for the screens. Don't use it to wipe the dashboard, windows or anything else.

If you want your car's screens to keep looking like new, have a look at the cleaning products in the Das Auto Service shop. They're designed specifically for Audi screens. With the right cloth and the right cleaner, you can save yourself a lot of headaches.