QUICK ANSWER
Start with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. For stubborn marks, use a small amount of alcohol-free LCD cleaner on the cloth.
Supernote recommends a non-alcohol cleaner, specifically an LCD-safe product, and warns against using too much liquid or wiping too hard. Do not use alcohol wipes, hand sanitiser or household glass cleaner on the FeelWrite surface.
Keep the cloth only lightly damp, never wet. Wipe gently, dry the surface and wait until it is completely dry before writing again.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
A rough or draggy patch can be residue rather than permanent wear
The area where your fingers rest or where you hold the screen for lasso gestures collects skin oil, sweat and fine dust. That build-up can change how the ceramic nib moves across the surface, making one area feel rougher, stickier or less consistent than the rest.
The Manta does not have an ordinary exposed glass writing surface. Its paper-like feel comes from Supernote's soft FeelWrite film. That is why a cleaning method that seems harmless on a phone is not automatically suitable here. Clean the residue without trying to polish or scrub the texture away.
WHAT YOU NEED
Use a small, simple cleaning kit
- A clean microfiber clothChoose a soft cloth with no grit trapped in it. A cloth previously used with polish or household cleaner is not suitable.
- An alcohol-free LCD cleanerSupernote specifically recommends this type of cleaner. Check the label rather than assuming every screen or glasses spray is alcohol-free.
- A second dry microfiber clothThis is useful for removing any remaining moisture before the device is used again.
Supernote's support page names iKlear spray and the alcohol-free version of 3M Screen Cleaner as examples. The important requirement is the formulation, not the brand: it must be alcohol-free and intended for delicate display surfaces.
STEP BY STEP
Clean the FeelWrite surface with the least pressure possible
- Put the Manta to sleep and disconnect its cable.This prevents accidental gestures while you work and keeps moisture away from a connected USB-C cable.
- Check the cloth and screen for grit.Shake out the cloth and lift loose dust with a very light pass. Rubbing a trapped hard particle across the film is a bigger risk than the fingerprint you are trying to remove.
- Try the dry cloth first.Use light, overlapping strokes. Do not press into one patch or repeatedly scrub the same spot.
- If residue remains, lightly dampen the cloth.Put a small amount of alcohol-free LCD cleaner on the cloth, not directly onto the Manta. The cloth should not drip and no liquid should reach the edges, sidebars or USB-C port.
- Wipe gently, then dry.Work across the affected area with minimal pressure. Follow with the second dry cloth and allow the surface to dry completely before using the pen.
- Test the writing feel without bearing down.Make a few normal strokes. If the drag is now even, the change was probably surface residue. Repeated hard cleaning will not improve the film and may make matters worse.
AVOID DAMAGE
Do not treat the Manta like a glass phone screen
Supernote says to use a non-alcohol cleaner. That rules out isopropyl alcohol, many sanitising wipes and hand sanitiser.
Products containing ammonia, solvents or strong detergents are unnecessary and may affect the film.
Use clean microfiber. A rough towel, tissue or cloth carrying grit can mark a soft surface.
Do not use a fingernail, card or tool to chase a stubborn mark. The goal is to lift residue, not flatten the texture.
The Manta is not waterproof. Keep liquid controlled on the cloth and away from every opening and edge.
A FeelWrite screen is meant to have texture. Trying to buff it smooth is not a cleaning method.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What about water or glasses cleaning spray?
Can I use a microfiber cloth with water?
A clean, barely damp microfiber cloth can help with light finger residue, but use as little moisture as possible. Supernote's published recommendation is an alcohol-free LCD cleaner, and its manuals state that the device is not waterproof. A wet cloth, running water or liquid pooling at the screen edge is not safe.
Can I use glasses cleaner?
Only if the product label confirms that it is alcohol-free and suitable for coated or plastic display surfaces. Glasses sprays vary, so the words “lens cleaner” alone are not enough. When the ingredients or compatibility are unclear, use a known alcohol-free LCD cleaner instead.
Should I clean the ceramic pen nib?
Yes. Supernote advises cleaning the nib gently with a soft fabric. A dirty nib can put residue straight back onto the screen, so inspect it before deciding that the film itself is the problem.
WHEN TO STOP
If gentle cleaning does not restore an even feel, do not escalate to harsher products
Stop if you see lifting film, a bubble, a cut, a deep indentation, persistent cloudiness or a patch whose texture has clearly changed after it is clean and dry. Take clear photographs in indirect light and contact Supernote support before attempting to polish, peel or replace the film.
The FeelWrite layer is part of the writing system. If ordinary residue removal does not solve the problem, the safer next step is diagnosis rather than a stronger chemical.