Installing screen protectors

[Escadajr]

Have you personally installed screens protectors on iPads? I bought the iLuv mate with 2 sheets enclosed. When I tried to install the first one, following the included instructions, the result was catastrophic. Bubbles, dust, misalignment, you name it. It seems to require fairy hands and a class 1 cleanroom into a vaccum chamber. I'm keeping the second sheet in hope of better directions on how to install this think.

Zagg recommends its liquid spray to install its protectors. What is this, water?

 

[Holoshed]

Have you personally installed screens protectors on iPads? I bought the iLuv mate with 2 sheets enclosed. When I tried to install the first one, following the included instructions, the result was catastrophic. Bubbles, dust, misalignment, you name it. It seems to require fairy hands and a class 1 cleanroom into a vaccum chamber. I'm keeping the second sheet in hope of better directions on how to install this think.

Zagg recommends its liquid spray to install its protectors. What is this, water?

A lot of people mistake it for just water, but it has a little bit of soap in it too, I use a little bit of it to clean the surface before I do the actual application.

As for installing it on a screen, I use Zagg products only but that is because I have a crap load of gift cards for them. I will say you need a LOT of the solution because if it isnt so wet it can slide around you will have issues. The screen is harder than the back, so yeah it will be a pain and dust is sadly inevitable. Some people say get a bathroom really steamy with a shower then apply it there because the steam grabs ahold of the dust. I have never tried it but that is because even with the seat down, sitting on a toilet to apply it seems like a pain in the... well you know :x

 

[DQ]

Have you personally installed screens protectors on iPads? I bought the iLuv mate with 2 sheets enclosed. When I tried to install the first one, following the included instructions, the result was catastrophic. Bubbles, dust, misalignment, you name it. It seems to require fairy hands and a class 1 cleanroom into a vaccum chamber. I'm keeping the second sheet in hope of better directions on how to install this think.

Zagg recommends its liquid spray to install its protectors. What is this, water?

I ruined a couple before I learned how to apply them flawlessly ( mine go on the second the iPad is unwrapped, brand new) it's all in taking it slow and working from the center. Make sure you get all debris off the screen with a fine cloth made for picking up dust and fine hairs. Then unroll just a fraction at a time, align the cover properly onto the screen and apply credit card. It will naturally unroll itself and settle atop the screen perfectly. I buy the two pack at Walmart. One to practice with and one to apply once you get the hang of it.

 

[Escadajr]

I'm not sure if I like the idea of bringing my precious iPad 2 to a steam sauna... The soapy water seems more attractive however. Let's give it a try with the remaining protector. I'll let you know what happened. Thanks to you all for your help.

 

[iRuthlessPad]

I alwaz do it wrong some way or the other...just get it done by a specialist!

 

[Holoshed]

It doesnt hurt it, I mean people use them in all climates and apple knows it.

To be honest, I use mine to play music while I am in the shower every time I take a shower so thats atleast once daily since I got it and it is still kicking lol...

 

[IvanLasston]

The steam shower trick works pretty well if you have dust issues, are in a dry climate, or have pets. If you are using a wet application - like Zagg - use more than you think you need. If you are new to installing I would recommend getting a second set of liquid. If you mess up, you can always pull off the cover and wet it again, as a n00b - it is better to have more liquid than not. From what I read it is really a small amount of soap - such that you could probably refill the container with water and the mixture would be fine. Note the new Zagg containers aren't refillable but the older ones (iPhone 3G era) you could unscrew the top.

Secondly, practice with a smaller device before trying it with an iPad.

 

[DevinB]

I alwaz do it wrong some way or the other...just get it done by a specialist!

Came to say this.

 

[Tsuintx]

Even though my wife is quite the clean freak, our housenis still quite far away from a cleanroom and I was still able to install the cheapo screen protector I bought off Ebay without any issues. Just takes some patience. No soap water needed.

 

[KJSmitty]

Yep,
No clean room required, however.....

Here's what I do (successful three times now no bubbles or lint/dust - can't even tell you have a protector on for the most part etc. May sound silly yet it works...

- I clean our entire granite island in the kitchen then cover it with a fairly damp large towel - near bath towel size etc. I then make sure I am the only one in the area and the AC/fans are off.

- I take my shirt off and wipe my head/hair and arms etc with a damp washcloth.

- I make sure to wipe both sides of the protector (with the damp washcloth) while it has the plastic (that you remove during instal) on it to alleviate static etc then place it on the damp towel.

- Clean iPad really well and place on damp towel - positioned for instal process.

- Perform instal per instructions - ensure perfect alignment around center button and even across the bottom of the screen - slowly remove plastic and smooth out as you pull toward the top. You must start out "right on", peeling it off some to realign will typically have poor results.
Be methodical and very precise with the first half inch of instal....

Obviously if you get some dust it is futile to try to remove it. As other have mentioned just buy the cheap protectors - two of them to get the hang of it. I've gone through four and only ruined the very first one. I attempted it without any thought and had about 50 lint/dust bubbles. A little googling brought me to the above process - tweaked only by my own imagination of where lint/dust might come from..

 

[takeshi]

It's really the same as installing any screen protector on any device. The shower/steam idea always helps to reduce the amount of dust in the air. A liquid such as what Zagg uses for its installs can help as it prevent the screen protector's adhesive from immediately sticking, giving you some time to adjust the placement of the screen protector. If you don't have solution handy you can mix a tiny amount of soap with water or use Windex. I can't guarantee that the liquid application method will work with all screen protectors do do so at your own risk if not instructed by the manufacturer.

All screen protectors require a clean environment, clean supplies, clean hands and, most of all, patience. You can avoid bubbles by carefully applying the screen protector with a smooth motion. Squeegee out the remaining bubble but make sure you're not using something that will scratch the screen protector as a squeegee. Some small bubble may work out with time. Experience and practice help. I've applied many and if definitely gets easier as you go.

 

[Escadajr]

I finally installed the iLuv mate screen protector following the Zagg wet installation procedure. I used plain water, as recommend by Zagg itself. It was a very easy, fast and clean installation, with no bubbles or dust. I recommend this method for any inexperienced person like me.

A few days later I was very unsatisfied with the mate screen protector because it degrades too much the screen quality, so I removed it.

 

[biller007]

I love my zagg. Look on YouTube. Lots of ppl have posted videos of there install. My first one went on perfect. Use lots of solution. Once I got everything cleaned I used a can of air to spray the iPad just before I put it on. When I took the zagg of the packaging I spray solution as I went.

Best investment I made for my ipad2 IMHO.

 

[Elliern]

Have you seen/tried the Moshi iVisor AG screen protector? It can be applied in seconds. I really like it. It protects the screen and the AG does work. And applying it is a piece of cake. I got mine from Amazon. There is a demonstration video there as well, so you can see how it works.

 

[David79]

I always had an issue getting mine on, but finally I said screw it and wet the protector and screen with some water, then used a credit card to push the water out. Honestly that was so much easier and havw had no issues for months now.

Sent from my iPad using iPF