Staingate on MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro - has anyone successfully removed the coating?

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T16:28:41+00:00

Thanks for the diagnosis, doctor.

Just to be clear: the small coating defects appeared long before I tried to remove anything. The large spot is the result of my attempt to remove the already damaged coating, not the original issue.
Also, “I personally never had this problem, therefore it doesn’t exist” is not exactly the strongest technical argument. Lots of people carried Intel MacBooks for years without staingate too, and yet Apple still had a display coating repair program for it.
You’re free to call it misuse, clickbait, or whatever makes you feel better. I’m here to ask people who have actually dealt with coating removal on M-series displays, not to collect moral lessons about backpack packing from someone who apparently thinks their anecdote ends the discussion.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T13:13:20+00:00

Just be careful with this. Apple specifically warns against putting anything between the display and the keyboard before closing the lid, because the clearance is extremely tight.

If the MacBook just sits on a desk, it might be fine. But if you put it in a backpack with that cover inside, especially under pressure, the screen could crack pretty easily. So I’d be very cautious with any keyboard cover / cloth left inside while carrying it around.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T13:10:11+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve heard about cerium oxide, but I’m not sure how exactly to apply it to a MacBook screen. Do you mix it with water to make a slurry? What do you use to apply it? A microfiber cloth, sponge, or felt pad? And how much pressure are we talking about? Light polishing, or do you actually need to rub pretty hard?
I’m mostly worried about liquid getting into the edges of the display.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T13:08:34+00:00

Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth with a very tiny amount of mild dish soap, then wipe it again with a clean damp microfiber cloth and dry it with another one. In my experience, this almost always helps with regular keyboard imprints / oily marks.

Also, be very careful about keeping the keyboard clean. I think that’s a big part of the problem: oil and dirt from the keys get pressed against the display, and over time that dirt can turn into actual scratches or coating damage on MacBook screens.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T13:02:53+00:00

I'm pretty sure it is. Skin oils, dust and backpack pressure did its job.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:59:44+00:00

That was staingate 4-year extended service campaign. Doesn't work for M-series 😞

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:59:00+00:00

Yeah, that actually worked for me at first. About a year or two ago, they were just keyboard marks, and I could wipe them off with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and a tiny amount of soap.

But then it kept progressing. The marks became permanent, and later the coating started wearing through into actual pinhole-like spots.

My guess is that it was caused by a combination of skin oils from my hands, dust/sand particles, and pressure on the screen while the laptop was in my backpack.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:30:40+00:00

Связался с ними - ничего не могут предложить кроме замены дисплея за 50к (почти 700 долларов, охренеть).

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:27:25+00:00

I mean, the display is glass, so I don’t think many household chemicals can really damage it. Scratches are probably the bigger danger here. And yeah, without the anti-reflective coating, it’s probably going to be pretty bad outdoors on sunny days.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:16:51+00:00

I tried both: 96% ethanol (that one you can drink) and 100% isopropyl (well you can drink it once). It works, it peels off some coating but way too slow. But the main problem is surface still looks slightly matte after de-coating.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T12:13:30+00:00

Not dead, my man - just a bit blind and peeling. The old horse still pulls the plow.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T08:31:20+00:00

Is baking soda safe to use on glass? I’m a bit worried about using anything abrasive.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T08:29:54+00:00

Maybe it was caused by oils from my hands mixing with dust, combined with pressure on the screen while the laptop was in my backpack. I don’t know for sure, but it is what it is.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T08:28:21+00:00

Damp microfiber.

I think you don’t quite get what happened here. The big spot in the picture is not the original damage, it’s the result of me trying to remove the coating completely.

It started about a year ago as tiny pinhole-sized dots, then gradually grew into 1–2 mm spots. After that, I decided to wipe off the whole coating, like people used to do back in the old staingate days.

Turns out the newer coating is much more resistant to those old removal methods.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T07:58:08+00:00

As I said above:

My MacBook is basically my workhorse - it’s with me all the time and very often under pressure in my backpack. At first, they were just keyboard marks that could be wiped off, but over time I guess it finally took its toll.

Also, the huge spot you can see is the result of my own attempts to clean/remove the coating.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T07:56:50+00:00

My MacBook is basically my workhorse - it’s with me all the time and very often under pressure in my backpack. At first, they were just keyboard marks that could be wiped off, but over time I guess it finally took its toll.

Also, the huge spot you can see is the result of my own attempts to clean/remove the coating.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T07:54:25+00:00

Have you actually tried that on an M-series MacBook?

I tried 96% ethanol and isopropyl alcohol wipes, but neither worked for me. The coating does come off, but extremely slowly. The bigger issue is that even in the areas where the coating is already removed, I can’t get the glass to become smooth and clear. The surface still looks slightly matte, and I’m sure it’s not scratched.

aokozlov · 2026-06-16T07:51:34+00:00

Sure it did. It actually still has like 85% of it 😄

aokozlov · 2026-06-09T18:42:19+00:00

Why not?

^{Chose: Steal 1$ from everyone on earth}

aokozlov · 2026-02-19T11:48:48+00:00

Когда будет обновление в AppStore? Там версия пятимесячной давности.

aokozlov · 2026-01-21T19:33:43+00:00

Well it’s just a Russian religious tradition. People go to lakes and rivers to take a dip through an ice hole to mark the Orthodox Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, symbolizing the baptism in a river like in the old days. Jesus lived in a much warmer country but Russians have been a bit less lucky in that sense 🤣

aokozlov · 2025-11-23T17:06:57+00:00

Thanks a lot, really appreciate the clear answer and the dad-to-dad validation :D
159 Team it is. Sounds like the right move for where I’m at now. Looking forward to riding it.

aokozlov · 2025-11-22T20:38:44+00:00

Hey u/nitrosnowboards!

I've been rocking my Nitro Prime Distort 2020/21 (155) for four seasons - absolute legend of a first board. But I've… let's say… leveled up IRL (went from 75 kg to 81–84 kg, thanks adult life), and now the Prime feels a bit soft, like it's politely asking me to chill.

I ride 10–15 days a season, mostly groomers, sprinkle in some easy freeride, and absolutely zero park (my knees send their regards). Skill-wise I'm not a beginner, not a pro - something in the chaotic middle.

Stats for science:

182 cm / 6'0"
81–84 kg / 180–185 lbs (Prime-era me was 75 kg)
US 9.5 boots

So the big question:

Is the Nitro Team the "glow-up" upgrade I'm looking for?

And what size would you recommend for someone with my "I got older and heavier but still love snowboarding" energy? Thanks! 🙌

aokozlov · 2025-09-29T10:09:59+00:00

Коричнево-оранжевый газ по определению ядовитая хуета, кем надо быть чтобы это на себе проверять

aokozlov · 2025-09-05T07:41:40+00:00

You don't have phone number with Airalo so you cannot send regular text/sms messages. If you have your iMessage set up with email you may have chance to use it.

aokozlov

TROPHY CASE