JimDaugherty

Posts: 21

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

I purchased my 2005 SLK 350 in November 2006 with 18K miles from a Mercedes Benz dealer it in MA, who then trucked it to me in Northern KY.

The COMMAND screen looks like it has a coating on it, which appears to be scratched. To glance at it, the damage isn’t very noticeable in when the screen back light is white (as in the daytime) or in low light when the back light is dim (at night). It is noticeable when the COMMAND is not turned on. Pictures attached.

This problem appears to be uncommon; I searched for COMMAND screen and scratches on this and other Mercedes Benz forums and got no relevant hits.

This post is a warning for others and a request for thoughts from readers.

Attached Images

	Image011.jpg (22.2 KB, 132 views)
	Image012.jpg (19.5 KB, 129 views)
	Image014.jpg (25.7 KB, 130 views)

DansSlk

Posts: 6,752

Country:

Thanks: 96

Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts

I can see a couple of scratches on it mate but most of that has come from cleaning the screen, just about anything that gets put on it leaves marks just like cleaning any LCD.

Try using a damp cloth on it then drying it immediately after that should remove a lot of the cosmetic stuff leaving only the few that have actually damaged the screen.

I'm not aware of anything that can be used to fix them unfortunately.

__________________

gmabli

Posts: 73

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

Those screens can be very picky about how they are cleaned. I've used this product on my COMAND screen and on my computer LCD screens with great results. It comes in handy portable packets that include both a wet cleaner and a dry polisher. It probably won't fix any scratches, but it will prevent further damage from cleaning.

Just a thought, I used to have a ragtop Jeep with plastic windows. There used to be a product that came in three strengths to repair scratches and hazing from slight to moderate. I don't know if it would work on the COMAND screen as there is, I believe, an anti-reflecting coating on the screen that may not work with this product, but it might be worth a look.

-1-

Posts: 2,224

Country:

Thanks: 54

Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts

Regardless of how well you take care of the Comand screen, regular cleaning of the screen will leave scratches. I use a soft cloth dampened with water to remove the dust and any fingerprints. I also use a special cloth for LCD computer screens for the final touch. I've noticed that after several days, either from heat or whatever, the screen has discoloration on it. That's when I use the LCD screen cloth. My car as well as my wife's have the Command NAV. Shortly after we purchased hers, I found a NAV screen protector on eBay. It was about $10 with shipping. The first one didn't fit (too small) and the seller sent another to the correct size. It went on easy, has a matte finish, looks great and is much easier to clean than the factory screen. It will cover any scratches on the factory screen. When I got my car, I wanted the NAV screen protector. I couldn't find the first dealer that I dealt with. At random, I purchased a screen. It was terrible, thin and couldn't get the air bubbles out and it had a shiney finish, the glare was terrible. I went back to the seller and he agreed to sell me another (better) thicker protector. Long story short, I've ordered three for my car and I'm still not as happy as with the one on my wife's car. I would recommend the NAV screen protector for ease of cleaning and hiding any scratches.

UPDATE - I did some research and the original NAV screen I purchased came from eBay user Navprotector. It's been over a year since I've ordered from them. If they're still using the same material, it's a quality NAV screen protector, better than the last three I've ordered. Their web site is: http://www.navprotector.com/screen-p...avigation.html

You can order custom sized protectors here. I measured the SLK Comand NAV screen and it measures 5 1/2" x 3". Double check your measurements prior to ordering. I would include EXACT measurements when ordering as well as vehicle make & model. For those interested, I hope this helps. http://www.navprotector.com/checkout...avigation.html

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

Zeiser50

Posts: 506

Country:

Thanks: 6

Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts

i never thought to solve it that way

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

------Michel------
-SLK 55 AMG 2005-

wynand53

Posts: 31

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

Yes I also see the scratches on my virtually new SLK - Merc can at least place the screen behind a hard piece of plastic! My question: How do I get my command to play video while on the move? It seems that the backdoor on my model is blocked?? I hear one can cut a wire linking the speed of the car to the command?? Anybody that can help?

Kind regards

Wynand

cyberdrakon

Posts: 1,399

Country:

Thanks: 24

Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts

Probably the previous owner used an alcohol based or ammonia based cleaner (like windex) to clean the screen. The scratches are actually where the anti-glare coating was dissolved.

-1-

Posts: 2,224

Country:

Thanks: 54

Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts

Wouldn't recommend cutting ANY wires. Pass on DVD "in motion". Easier, cheaper, ways to play a DVD in the car.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

JimDaugherty

Posts: 21

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

This is the one I got. It works very well, $12 with shipping.

You should get the screen CLEAN before installation. I used some sticky film to clean the screen first (sort of like very wide Scotch tape). There is also a lint-free cloth included with the screen protector. The screen protector can be removed with sticky tape. The instructions say Scotch tape, but I had to use duct tape to get it off to clear some bubbles.

Over a week or so, the remaining bubbles disappeared. Now it looks as perfect as I could expect.

The screen protector is certainly stickier than it needs to be. A static cling plastic (like an Mercedes Benz Club of America sticker) is almost sticky enough.

Here’s the eBay link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260030467225

Conclusion: the COMMAND screen now looks nearly perfect and is unlikely to get any more damage on it. If I were starting from new with the car, I would probably be VERY CAREFUL with the screen rather than get the screen protector. However, at the first mark on it, I’d get this protector. My car was 30 months old, about 19K when I bought it.

Thanks for the boost, Don.

Attached Images

	Image019.jpg (39.3 KB, 63 views)
	Image002.jpg (30.7 KB, 35 views)
	Image003.jpg (30.2 KB, 36 views)

-1-

Posts: 2,224

Country:

Thanks: 54

Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts

Hi, I'm glad your happy with the screen protector. Newton Electronics is one of the companies I ordered from. I wasn't happy with their product, but I was comparing it with the one on my wife's car.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK