LCDs typically have a life between 5 and 20 years. To prolong the life of your LCD, take note of the following precautions. LCDs are made of glass, so care should be taken to avoid any type of mechanical stress including shock, impact, and torque or tension. The front and rear surfaces of an LCD are typically laminated with a soft plastic polarizing material. The polarizer can easily be damaged by impact, scratching, or rubbing the LCD’s surfaces. The front polarizer is usually protected by a removable “release liner” which should be removed no sooner than necessary. This protective film can best be removed by applying some hi-tack adhesive tape to it, and then peeling the tape back.

Ultra-violet light will deteriorate an LCD over time. All Planar LCDs using a front polarizer are equipped with a UV-reduction filter, however even these filters are subject to damage and loss of effectiveness from prolonged exposure to UV. The life of the polarizer can be extended by placing a protective transparent material in front of the display in your application.