Lessons Learned...Protector application

krighton · 08-17-05, 08:00 PM

Ok, took me around 2.5 hours (doesn't include travel time) to get this Brando protector installed. I'm betting microchips are easier to put together than putting this flimsy piece of plastic on my x50v.

1. First mistake was trying to put this thing on in a very dusty house, only took 10 mins for my sanity to start to slip...dust mote...remove with tape, add 1 finger print 2 more dust motes, etc. etc.

2. Next I tried to put it on in a bathroom with hot water running, still no good, by this time the protector was smudged beyond recognition and so I ripped into another Brando protector...that one was soon smudged also...so now I have two very smudged, fingerprinted and dusty protectors.

3. Knew I needed a microfiber cloth that people were talking about...so I drove to 4 eyeglass stores, Target and then Staples (after getting a strange stare from a guy who probably had no idea what I was talking about). Bought 2 microfiber cloths and 1 can of air.

4. Back home I dipped the dirty protector in the water, dried with a hair dryer and then began to rub it with the microfiber cloth (THIS WAS A MISTAKE). Rubbing the front of the protector is fine, but rubbing the semi-sticky side with this cloth was bad news...remember it's Microfiber, not NOFiber. It left more dust than a dish towel I had used earlier.

5. Knowing I couldn't use that cloth to clean the sticky side I used several strips of tape, stuck it to the stick side and set the whole thing aside. Turned on the hot water, cleaned the x50v a few times and then covered it with a microfiber cloth.

6. I then gave a few blasts of canned air and removed the tape from the protector, followed by a few more blasts and then quickly placed it onto the device. Granted, it took me a few times to get it centered, and there's still some bubbles near the edge but i'm guessing those will smooth out over time, at least I hope.

7. The saving grace and most important thing you can have by your side when doing this, and I know people have mentioned it before, is TAPE. I'm not sold on the microfiber, though it does seem to do an ok job on the shiny sides.

All the while I felt like I was trying to disarm a ticking time bomb, one little dust mote and BLAMMO. Anyways, hopefully some of this won't have just been a repeat of the many horror stories found in the forums concerning the protectors.

Gigi · 08-17-05, 08:31 PM

I've always used tape and microfibre cloths without a problem. However, the trick to using the cloth is to pat not rub dry.

krighton · 08-17-05, 09:03 PM

yes, i'm used to rubbing dry, that was what started the problem.

Don't Panic! · 08-17-05, 09:12 PM

Thanks for sharing krighton.

Another thing that helps is using sterile water (the kind they sell in pharmacies) instead of tap water when you need to clean the sticky side.

krighton · 08-17-05, 09:23 PM

I'll remember the sterile water, hopefully I won't be changing it for awhile.

Does the bubble around the edges (I have a couple long ones) tend to flatten out over time?

tancerman · 08-17-05, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by krighton

Does the bubble around the edges (I have a couple long ones) tend to flatten out over time?

I have boxwave and they never completely go away but the get small enough not to bother me anymore.

Arthur Pendrag · 08-17-05, 09:39 PM

Addresing the buble:

I don't know if the plastic of my protector is the same but I do know that I have had a lump that is on the very edge of my protector for the duration of its application which I would say is several months now. It hasn't gone away, I have just lived with it because its on the bottom and not in the way much.

Morphy · 08-17-05, 10:36 PM

Thanks for sharing. I now know that I am not the only one who has gone nearly nuts trying to appply a screen protector. I unfortunately did not have your persistent spirit and gave up after two attempts. I am however inspired by your story to try again with canned air in hand!!

That's why I love this site. So many aximites overcoming nearly impossible odds to improve the state of their handhelds.

dr g · 08-17-05, 10:39 PM

One thing that can help in addition to everything else is to apply the protector AS you are removing the original backing plastic ... a little late for you, I know.

I actually used a pin to remove small pieces of dust near the edges of the protector.

krighton · 08-17-05, 10:40 PM

yes, on both initial tries I was applying it as I was removing it...however...I was not prepared with scotch tape, microfiber cloths, hairdryer, canned air, steam, etc....so it went south REALLY quick.

reading threads about people hearing a 'tearing' sound when moving their stylus which had gathered up a piece of destructive dust or debris made me determined to get the rotten protector in place and mostly bubble free....good luck in your endevours.

Arthur Pendrag · 08-17-05, 10:43 PM

...now just to address the issue of our hands...

Morphy · 08-17-05, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Arthur Pendrag

...now just to address the issue of our hands...

Very nice job. Is that henna ink?

Don't Panic! · 08-17-05, 11:09 PM

My bubbles are at the top, but I use WriteShields.

They sent me a little probe in my protector kit that could lift up the edges but the bubbles really don't bother me.
I'll take a picture when I'm at a PC tomorrow

Surprisingly, not a dust mote in my application but I did have to use one protector to figure out how and when to remove the film.

Heck it took me a while to realize there was a protective film

Felixthekat · 08-18-05, 12:01 AM

I ordered some crystal protectors lastnight, hopefully will get them soon after I get my x50v. I am NOT looking forward to applying it to the screen. I will try to keep a positive attitude and maybe I won't have any problems. lol

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

X50 / X51 Accessories - Axim X50 / X51 Accessory Discussions