2022 14 inch MBP: Staingate? Apple keeps downgrading case from “anti glare stains” to “glass smudge” – need advice (Sweden)

[CarlLikesTech]

Hi all,

I’m based in Sweden and own a 14‑inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, purchased Aug 2022 from Apple online). A few weeks ago the screen developed the classic “staingate” look – keyboard imprint/blotches in the anti‑reflective coating that won’t clean off.

What’s happened so far:
• Apple Support (Tier 2) initially logged the case as “stains in anti‑glare layer (manufacturing defect)”.
• A week later a different advisor changed it to “glass smudge” – i.e. cosmetic damage.
• They want me to travel ~2 hours each way to the Mall of Scandinavia Apple Store just to pick up “a paper” confirming the defect before they’ll send a prepaid shipping label.

I’ve asked repeatedly for written confirmation that this is a no‑charge quality‑issue repair and a UPS label so I can ship the Mac in, but they’re stone‑walling. I have screenshots of the original “anti‑glare stains” wording and the later “glass smudge” downgrade.

Questions:

Has anyone with a 14‑inch 2021/2022 MBP recently gotten a free display replacement for staingate? How did you get Apple to classify it?

Any tips for making Apple stick to “anti‑glare coating delamination” and skip the long store visit? (A local AASP in Uppsala would be fine.)

If Apple insists on a store inspection, is it worth emailing their Cork Consumer‑Law team or going straight to our Swedish consumer agency (ARN)?

Specs: MBP 14, Space Gray, MKGP3KS/A, purchased 17 Aug 2022.



Any real‑world success stories or documentation I can quote when I push back would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fishrrman]

Before this happened...
... Did you "clean the display" much...?

 

[CarlLikesTech]

Before this happened...
... Did you "clean the display" much...?

With a damp and clean zeiss cloth. Not exaggeratedly much.

 

[jeroenvip]

The swiss branded zeiss cloth can”t compete with the lovely apple cleaning cloth.

 

[arcite]

Exact same problem with my M2 15 Air. I'd say it happens when the laptop is put in a bag and there's pressure on the screen from other items....just pushing enough on it, and then the keys hit the screen. However, obviously it shouldn't scratch so easily..and yet, it does.

 

[Fishrrman]

arcite makes a good point about backpacks.

Also... how MUCH did you clean the display, and how much pressure did you use on the surface when doing so?

MacBook Pros have a "sprayed on" anti-glare coating.
Any friction on the coating... well... starts to "wear it off"...

 

[CarlLikesTech]

arcite makes a good point about backpacks.

Also... how MUCH did you clean the display, and how much pressure did you use on the surface when doing so?

MacBook Pros have a "sprayed on" anti-glare coating.
Any friction on the coating... well... starts to "wear it off"...

I have been very carefull when cleaning it. Not often. Cant give you an exact number. Every now and then. Not weekly, not monthly. I dont touch the display so there has not been a need to. I have been using clean Zeiss cloths though, altough someone above mentioned you need to clean the display with apples special cloths? When i got the computer i remember reading Apple's support page regarding how to clean it, I thought the apple cloths were only necessary for the nano glass?