Any experience with repairing scratches on a screen?

lumping-sugar66 · 09-22-2025, 06:58 PM

Hi all,

I’ve noticed a few minor scratches on my Kobo screen, most likely from keeping it in the same pocket as my keys, and now every once in a while those scratches align with characters and I notice it. Has anyone here had success with repairing or minimizing scratches on an e-ink screen?

I’ve read about filing approaches on phone screens, but I’m hesitant to make it worse on an e-ink screen.

I did order some matte screen protector films from AliExpress, thinking the matte finish might help diffuse light and make the scratches less noticeable. Does that make sense? Or is there a better option out there?

Any first-hand experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Anghirrim · 09-23-2025, 02:28 AM

Hi,

Is it a plastic or glass substrate?

I did fix a scratch on my Boox Page (glass) by first of all, reducing it with a tissue and some tooth paste.

Of course, it did not fix the deepest part, but helped a bit.

Then, I tried with polishing paste with a Dremel like tool, on a coton polishing disc. I carefully limited to polishing to the scratched area as of course, it kills a bit the etching and mate finishing. So really take care not to extend too much.

Overall, the "repair" is slightly visible under some certain light angle when off. But on and while reading, it is completely invisible (with or without front light).

In short, you can do it, but beware as you could end up with an even worse screen...

I'll try to add pictures if you want tonight.

Cactus Chef · 09-23-2025, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumping-sugar66

I’ve noticed a few minor scratches on my Kobo screen, most likely from keeping it in the same pocket as my keys, and now every once in a while those scratches align with characters and I notice it.

I wouldn't recommend keeping your keys in the same pocket as your Kobo, for starters (which "pocket", exactly? Your front pants pocket? Your coat breast pocket?). But I've had similar issues in the past with my keys slowly poking holes in my jean pockets, so I bought some key blade guards for them:

https://www.amazon.com/SwimCell-Key-...07TK4C4WJ?th=1

You may wish to try the same.

JSWolf · 09-23-2025, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

I wouldn't recommend keeping your keys in the same pocket as your Kobo, for starters (which "pocket", exactly? Your front pants pocket? Your coat breast pocket?). But I've had similar issues in the past with my keys slowly poking holes in my jean pockets, so I bought some key blade guards for them:

https://www.amazon.com/SwimCell-Key-...07TK4C4WJ?th=1

You may wish to try the same.

I wouldn't recommend keeping any eInk Reader in any clothing pocket. It's a good way to break the screen.

Hasdrubal_Lector · 09-24-2025, 08:42 PM

Which Kobo is it? From what I've found, the following have plastic screens; Kobo Clara, Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Clara Color, Kobo Libra, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura, Kobo Forma. I know that for watches with hesalite(plexiglass) crystals there is something called polywatch that you can use to buff out scratches. You can try that, very carefully of course. For glass, there are polishing compounds, but they are a pain to use. There is also an auto polishing product, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze swirl remover that could work. I'd try the polywatch first. Bear in mind that the screen may have an oleophobic coating. Using polywatch will certainly remove it.

lumping-sugar66 · 09-24-2025, 10:19 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, I have decided not to try and treat it and leave it alone, I’ll see what the matte films will do but if they don’t help, it is what it is.

I have a case, with a proper magnetic lid and all. These scratches are the result one time when I had a key in the same backpack pocket and it slid between the cover of the case and got trapped on top of the screen. Lesson learned, though. I now have a separate zipper bag to put the reader in alone in addition to the protective case. Adding the protective film, I think it should survive anything short of an apocalypse!

Fwiw, it’s a kobo clara 2e, I’m not sure what the material is, but it’s definitely not glass.

PHughes · Yesterday, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I wouldn't recommend keeping any eInk Reader in any clothing pocket. It's a good way to break the screen.

I've been doing it for over 15 years. You just have to be smarter than the e-reader.

09-22-2025, 06:58 PM	#1
lumping-sugar66 Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 81981 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura Edition 2, Kobo Clara 2E	Any experience with repairing scratches on a screen? Hi all, I’ve noticed a few minor scratches on my Kobo screen, most likely from keeping it in the same pocket as my keys, and now every once in a while those scratches align with characters and I notice it. Has anyone here had success with repairing or minimizing scratches on an e-ink screen? I’ve read about filing approaches on phone screens, but I’m hesitant to make it worse on an e-ink screen. I did order some matte screen protector films from AliExpress, thinking the matte finish might help diffuse light and make the scratches less noticeable. Does that make sense? Or is there a better option out there? Any first-hand experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Attached Thumbnails Last edited by lumping-sugar66; 09-22-2025 at 07:01 PM.

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09-23-2025, 02:28 AM	#2
Anghirrim Seeking for Graal Posts: 211 Karma: 16198 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: France Device: Kobo Forma / Onyx Boox Page	Hi, Is it a plastic or glass substrate? I did fix a scratch on my Boox Page (glass) by first of all, reducing it with a tissue and some tooth paste. Of course, it did not fix the deepest part, but helped a bit. Then, I tried with polishing paste with a Dremel like tool, on a coton polishing disc. I carefully limited to polishing to the scratched area as of course, it kills a bit the etching and mate finishing. So really take care not to extend too much. Overall, the "repair" is slightly visible under some certain light angle when off. But on and while reading, it is completely invisible (with or without front light). In short, you can do it, but beware as you could end up with an even worse screen... I'll try to add pictures if you want tonight.

09-24-2025, 08:42 PM	#5
Hasdrubal_Lector Member Posts: 22 Karma: 599840 Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: Mid-Atlantic Region Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Libra 2, iPad 8	Which Kobo is it? From what I've found, the following have plastic screens; Kobo Clara, Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Clara Color, Kobo Libra, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura, Kobo Forma. I know that for watches with hesalite(plexiglass) crystals there is something called polywatch that you can use to buff out scratches. You can try that, very carefully of course. For glass, there are polishing compounds, but they are a pain to use. There is also an auto polishing product, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze swirl remover that could work. I'd try the polywatch first. Bear in mind that the screen may have an oleophobic coating. Using polywatch will certainly remove it.

09-24-2025, 10:19 PM	#6
lumping-sugar66 Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 81981 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura Edition 2, Kobo Clara 2E	Thanks for the suggestions, I have decided not to try and treat it and leave it alone, I’ll see what the matte films will do but if they don’t help, it is what it is. I have a case, with a proper magnetic lid and all. These scratches are the result one time when I had a key in the same backpack pocket and it slid between the cover of the case and got trapped on top of the screen. Lesson learned, though. I now have a separate zipper bag to put the reader in alone in addition to the protective case. Adding the protective film, I think it should survive anything short of an apocalypse! Fwiw, it’s a kobo clara 2e, I’m not sure what the material is, but it’s definitely not glass.

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