Screen scratches

[ZMARKUS]

The display screen of my 2002 Q45 somehow develop jagged scratches in the center. The screen was perfect when I obtained the used vehicle, but it appeared to start a couple of years later and grew. Here's the weird thing, I don't recall ever scratching it and the scratches cannot be felt by touching the screen. It's as if it's under the screen. Also, it's almost as if it's been burnt in. It has expanded over the years. Anyone else experience this?

[VStar650CL]

It's likely what you're seeing are cracks and not scratches. Materials in 2002 weren't what they are today, and the early color screens were much more susceptible to heat and UV exposure than a modern TFT or QLED. The substrates on your old screen are probably just deteriorating.

[ZMARKUS]

Thanks for responding. Would the cracks be undetectable by feeling the screen? It's as if the there is a screen below the screen I'm feeling, because no imperfections seen are felt.

[VStar650CL]

It's as if the there is a screen below the screen I'm feeling, because no imperfections seen are felt.

Quite so. The screen is a laminate, and you can easily get cracks in inner substrates which don't penetrate the outer surface.

[ZMARKUS]

Thanks, very informative.

[98_Q45]

Probably not what you’re experiencing but I had not noticed the factory screen protection film on an aftermarket unit that’s supposed to be peeled off. My “screen” was getting so scratched up. I was shocked that it was just the film.

[ZMARKUS]

The possibility of it being a film that hasn't been removed does have some plausibility. When I purchased the vehicle back in 2015. The salesman did claim they replace the display screen because the original was pixelated. Hmmm