The few days after buying a brand-new phone are always a thrill, as one of the appeals of the phone lies in how pristine the screen looks and feels. However, this sense of bliss may turn sour when you notice that smudges and grease from your fingerprints stick to the screen after using the phone for a while.

So what changed? The oleophobic coating on your screen had likely worn off, and now oils from your fingers stick to your screen.

So, how does an oleophobic coating work, and why did it wear off?

What Is an Oleophobic Coating?

Breaking down the word, oleophobic means "afraid of oils." So, the term oleophobic coating would suggest that an oil-resistant material is applied to a surface. This finds application in surfaces ranging from modern smartphone and tablet screens, touch screen laptops, camera lenses, smartwatches, mirrors, kitchen tops, and even car windshields.

Droplets of water on windshield with two persons on motocycles in front

The oleophobic coating uses a combination of chemical and physical properties to create a surface that is not adhesive to oils, causing them to form droplets and slide away from it instead of adhering to it. A layer of fluoropolymer with great non-stick properties, like Teflon, and a layer of silica or related material creates a rough texture that reduces contact between a surface (e.g., screen) and oils (or contaminants). These properties also make your surfaces scratch-resistant too.

Sadly, this coating does not last the entire lifespan of a device, as it can wear off due to regular use and exposure to environmental factors. For example, cleaning products like (concentrated) rubbing alcohol can wear off the oleophobic coating on your smartphone's screen. Similarly, abrasive materials like the hem of your t-shirt or the surface of your jeans will quickly erode the coating from your screen. There are much safer ways to clean your tablet or mobile phone screen. Furthermore, exposing your oleophobic-coated surfaces to high temperatures can damage the coating.

However, attempting to preserve the oleophobic coating on your device can only do so much, as it will eventually wear off over time as long as they are always in use. You will notice that oils and fingerprints become more obvious on your surfaces, and cleaning becomes more difficult when the coating starts eroding.

Is It Possible to Replace an Oleophobic Coating?

Water pouring on a smartphone's screen

Yes, you can replace oleophobic coatings on surfaces, but it's very technical, and you shouldn't try doing it yourself. Instead, you should send your device to an authorized service center or a professional to reapply the oleophobic coating.

As the replacement of oleophobic coating is usually not covered under the warranty of most devices, you might splurge a lot of money replacing a depleted coating on your devices. Of course, expect to spend more if you own a high-end device. With that in mind, you must take proper care of your surfaces by avoiding factors that cause their oleophobic coating to deplete prematurely.

The good thing, though, is you are lucky if you own a smartphone or device that can use a screen protector. There are several screen protectors in the market that come with oleophobic coatings. All you have to do is look for screen protectors with an oleophobic coating or anti-fingerprint surfaces. You could also check out some tips on buying a screen protector for your device.

With screen protectors, you can have the oleophobic coating feel throughout your phone's lifespan. Once you notice the coating is depleting on the screen protector, you can easily buy and replace it with another one. Good enough, you won't be able to tell the difference between your device's original screen and these screen protectors. They feel and work almost the same.

Get Rid of Fingerprint Smudges and Oils With Oleophobic Coating

Oleophobic-coated surfaces look way better and have a more premium feel than non-coated ones. So, if you have devices or surfaces with an oleophobic coating, you should do all you can to maintain and prevent quick wear-off.

Better still, use a high-quality oleophobic-coated screen protector on your phone screen to enjoy lifetime-lasting protection and a seamless user experience. If you are not a fan of screen protectors and have gotten your phone screen's coating eroded, it's best to send it to an authorized service center or professional to reapply an oleophobic coating. Never try to do it yourself!