Most new cars today have a touchscreen display on the dashboard. This screen is used by the infotainment system.
However, the black glossy screen is constantly blemished by fingerprints and smudges.
How do you clean the fingerprints? Better still, can you prevent such marks?
Fingerprint marks on the car touchscreen are unavoidable no matter how well you clean your hands. As such, you will just have to keep cleaning the screen.
Where possible, use the steering-mounted controls to access the menu so you minimise touching the screen.
If and when you do decide to clean the car touchscreen, never wipe with a dry cloth.
In fact, do not even wipe the touchscreen with a wet cloth before brushing off all the dust that has settled on the screen.
A cleaning kit, which you can buy from most computer shops and consists of a soft brush, cleaning liquid and micro-fibre cloth, would be ideal.
Brush off all the dust on and around the screen, then spray some of the cleaner directly onto the screen.
Ensure that the touchscreen and surrounding shiny trimmings are dusted before wiping it with a microfibre cloth to prevent scratches.
Then wipe the entire touchscreen until it is dry and shiny.
Alternately, you can also purchase an automotive interior detailing product. The ones from good brands can be used to clean dashboards and car touchscreens as well.
There are some screen films that are supposedly fingerprint-resistant.
These matte-finish “protectors” diminish some of the car touchscreen’s original clarity and while it may appear that no fingerprints are left behind, the truth is they are just a little less obvious.
The best way to totally avoid touching the screen with your fingers is to use a rubber-tipped stylus pen.
It does not leave marks, but can be inconvenient and a bit tricky to use, especially while on the move.
Or, if it bothers you that much, either refrain from using the touchscreen or leave it in one setting (radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc.).
