Develop Bugs

Inexpensive "TREsemmé brand" screen protector!

I didn't feel like paying for another screen protector, so I checked out what could substitute at my local hardware store. I settled on 4 mil plastic sheeting and Aersol extra hold hairspray as the adhesive. The plastic sheeting is labeled as follows:
STORM WINDOW
PROTECTIVE COVER
COLD FRAME
Hairspray brand is TRESsemmé TRES TWO extra hold (aersol spray can).
Works extremely well. 2 feet of plastic sheeting from the hardware store cost $2, the hairspray cost $2 at Walmart.
I also just skinned my laptop with it. I still have a huge amount of material left over. It is more work and would be easy to screw up, you can't touch the side where your applying the hairspray or it will gunk up and leave a visible white patch underneath. You need to lay it on your hand and spray down onto the plastic, then lay the object you are skinning down onto the plastic. If you screw up, no big loss, the hairspray cleans up with water.

NorskeDivision said:
I didn't feel like paying for another screen protector, so I checked out what could substitute at my local hardware store. I settled on 4 mil plastic sheeting and Aersol extra hold hairspray as the adhesive. The plastic sheeting is labeled as follows:
STORM WINDOW
PROTECTIVE COVER
COLD FRAME
Hairspray brand is TRESsemmé TRES TWO extra hold (aersol spray can).
Works extremely well. 2 feet of plastic sheeting from the hardware store cost $2, the hairspray cost $2 at Walmart.
I also just skinned my laptop with it. I still have a huge amount of material left over. It is more work and would be easy to screw up, you can't touch the side where your applying the hairspray or it will gunk up and leave a visible white patch underneath. You need to lay it on your hand and spray down onto the plastic, then lay the object you are skinning down onto the plastic. If you screw up, no big loss, the hairspray cleans up with water.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF...Tressemme are you kidding me? dude that's gonna make ur device all icky.

Can't even imagine gunking up any of my devices and would not recommend any of the chemicals in hairsprays on digitizers or other surfaces, don't even use the stuff on my hair, haha.
Besides, I'd rather spend $2 on a proper screen protector that lasts me on average 3-6 months and save myself all the labour used to apply one from a hardware store + hairspray. I charge $60/h in labour costs, so in the long run much cheaper for me to just buy a ready-made PET protector.

4 mil you say? As in thick?

The point is I sell many products, so saving $5 many times over saves me a lot of money.
And no, it does not "gunk up your device" any more than the adhesive on any other screen protector does. You spray it on the screen protector, then apply to phone.
Anyway, this is just info for anyone else wondering about cheap screen protector material en-bulk. Was hoping maybe someone had experience or a suggestion as to a slightly more durable protector. The hairspray adhesive works very well, but the storm window covering does scratch after a few months. I'd prefer the high quality stuff they have at invisible shield, but I've yet to find a way of buying a roll or for that matter even a few square meters of it.

enigma1nz said:
4 mil you say? As in thick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. 1 mil is .0254 mm, so 4 mil is about .1mm. Doesn't cause any problems with touch sensitivity.

aa

Rubberized back cover for Atrix

So I've got to give credit to the fine folks over at the Nexus S forum for giving inspiring the idea. I am a fan of keeping my phone caseless but I'm also a fan of keeping the scratches away. I bought a can of plasti dip in black and sprayed the back cover of the phone. The inside I sprayed 3 coats and the outside I believe 5. I held the can away from the cover about 15 inches while spraying for an even coat. Let it dry 30 mins between coats and sit 4-5 hours when I was finished just as the can said. It turned out great as you can see and now has a scratch proof rubberized cover. The rubber simply peels off if I ever want to remove it.

Looks good, not a bad idea at all. You say you sprayed the inside of the cover as well? Wouldn't think you would need to bother with the inside, why did you cover the inside. Take care.

smsparks said:
Looks good, not a bad idea at all. You say you sprayed the inside of the cover as well? Wouldn't think you would need to bother with the inside, why did you cover the inside. Take care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sprayed the inside as well so it wouldn't start to peel on the edges. It fits just as snug as it did before despite being sprayed inside too. =) I did cover the hole for the speaker before spraying

How well does it slide in and out of your pocket? Is there any spray that would be more of a soft-touch rubber feel?

icedwhiskey said:
How well does it slide in and out of your pocket? Is there any spray that would be more of a soft-touch rubber feel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It slides in and out just fine. It's just grippy enough to not slide around on my seat as I'm driving. The best thing is if it gets annoying or I want to change it the stuff just simply peels off

i've used plastidip plenty of times on things, and i dont know about the durability of that over time. I use it on emblems on cars to black them out and stuff and small rock chips etc pull it off fairly easily. Plus the finish usually isnt too smooth. i'd rather spend 20 and get the feather case....i can peel that off too

seriouslyjeff said:
I am a fan of keeping my phone caseless but I'm also a fan of keeping the scratches away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you plan to keep that arpo over 70 if you don't sell any cases? lol.

link12245 said:
How do you plan to keep that arpo over 70 if you don't sell any cases? lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao! If we had more than zero cases in the store I would sell em! I take it you work for att too?

poor phone looks like my grandpa's truck bed now.

falconeight said:
poor phone looks like my grandpa's truck bed now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too bad it can't haul

case companies need to stop making ugly ass cases and make some back cover replacements.
First one to make a soft-touch back cover with kick stands wins my money

Very cool idea! I decided just to wet sand the back cover to keep it looking like carbon fiber AND to make it a little easier to grip on to - pics are in the link on my signature.
I don't know if I agree with spraying the inside too just to get the edges uniform.... spraying the inside (and, well, the outside too I guess) will help trap in heat, something you don't want when charging a phone with a dead battery because this thing gets HOT as it is!
Also, I don't know if I would advertise the ability to simply peel the rubberized coating right off if you want to remove it. I've used this stuff dozens of times, I actually have my race car's tow hook covered in it, and that thing sees a LOT of abuse, but doesn't come right off.... If you can use this stuff to protect against giant metal hooks scratching off the coating with exactly as many dips in the can as you have layers of spray, I doubt this stuff would come off completely without a fight!

seriouslyjeff said:
Lmao! If we had more than zero cases in the store I would sell em! I take it you work for att too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir. We also have no cases, no accessories, but do have a few of the phones left.

GarciaM25 said:
Very cool idea! I decided just to wet sand the back cover to keep it looking like carbon fiber AND to make it a little easier to grip on to - pics are in the link on my signature.
I don't know if I agree with spraying the inside too just to get the edges uniform.... spraying the inside (and, well, the outside too I guess) will help trap in heat, something you don't want when charging a phone with a dead battery because this thing gets HOT as it is!
Also, I don't know if I would advertise the ability to simply peel the rubberized coating right off if you want to remove it. I've used this stuff dozens of times, I actually have my race car's tow hook covered in it, and that thing sees a LOT of abuse, but doesn't come right off.... If you can use this stuff to protect against giant metal hooks scratching off the coating with exactly as many dips in the can as you have layers of spray, I doubt this stuff would come off completely without a fight!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about it overheating at all although I haven't noticed any problems. As far as it peeling off it peels off without a hitch.. almost too easy, I am going to sand the back of the case in hopes that it will stick a little better. I assume the glossy cover makes it easy to peel but I've peeled it off and sprayed it again already once.

andy2na said:
case companies need to stop making ugly ass cases and make some back cover replacements.
First one to make a soft-touch back cover with kick stands wins my money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude yes I am totally with you!

andy2na said:
case companies need to stop making ugly ass cases and make some back cover replacements.
First one to make a soft-touch back cover with kick stands wins my money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+2 !!!!!!!

How is it holding up, 2 weeks later?

Ah sorry for the late response. It was holing up pretty well. I peeled it off a few days ago due to it peeling.. I think I might lightly sand the back first this time
Sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA App

Good idea and all but why would you not buy a rubberized case instead (replaces battery door). I have seen a dozen shops selling them in the US but none that ship (or none afford-ably yet) to Australia.

mrinternet said:
Good idea and all but why would you not buy a rubberized case instead (replaces battery door). I have seen a dozen shops selling them in the US but none that ship (or none afford-ably yet) to Australia.[/QUOeditTE]
Oh because when I did it 6 weeks ago (right after release of the phone) there were none available
Edit: I misread. I don't like cases. They make the phone too bulky. I now use best skins ever. This peeled off after about a week each time I did it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Clear Protector for Xoom -- 50% off code + Free shipping

Hi all-
Waited until I got a chance to apply this thing before I wrote a review. This is a full-body skin like skinomi or invisible shield. It's a wet application, so if that scares you, don't read further. It was my first wet application, and I'll say I probably won't ever go back...
I used this only on the back; for the front I wanted a matte skin (to reduce glare and fingerprints). It comes in 5 pieces; 1 for the front and 4 for the back. Again, I only used the ones for the back. Here's my review:
1) This was the best screen protector experience I've ever had; also my first on a tablet and my first wet application, so that's saying something.
2) Wet application took about half an hour; most of that was spent holding down the edges as it dried. If you don't hold down the edges, the protector doesn't go around the edges. The wet application required only a bowl of soapy water, no solutions. I turned on a daily show and watched it while I worked.
3) During the application, I got several bubbles. This is one of the reasons why wet application is so much better: every bubble was worked out in just a few seconds. Also, unlike a dry application, the thing isn't covered in static, so you aren't attracting every bit of dust in the area to your skin. I think I ended up with one imperfection: a bit of cat hair. I'm pretty sure my cat planned that. The small bubbles from the soap were gone after an hour or two.
4) The other major advantage of wet application: you can readjust the protector once it's on. My protector is so perfectly aligned that you can't tell there's anything there if you didn't know that the original back cover is brushed aluminum.
5) Once applied and drying, I let the whole thing sit for a few hours before touching it again, to avoid accidentally shifting the skin. Instead of the brushed aluminum, now I have nice, grippy plastic on the back. It gets fingerprints but no more so than the unprotected back, and with this thing on I have no problem using a regular cloth to wipe it.
6) Like I said, I didn't put it on the front because I wanted a matte cover, but I'm considering it now... The matte cover is far better for fingerprints but it does affect the usability of the screen (less responsive, requires a heavier touch). Since it means throwing it away, I'll leave the matte skin on for a bit...
Overall, I'd say this was a great purchase. Oh, and I almost forgot: I got it for half off! Normal price is $36 for the full-body protector or $25 for the screen; this code will get you half off plus free shipping (code works for everything on the site):
http://www.clearprotector.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=xoom&x=0&y=0
and the code is: iwantultra
(just for clarity--I am not affiliated with this company in any way)
Give thanks if this helps you!

Thanks!
Just brought full body protectors for the Xoom and Galaxy Tab for only $33 with free shipping.
The only thing missing seems to be the spay to apply the cover, but this is a minor issue.
EDIT: Also thanks to OP for the excellent guide. I'd just like to add that I normally leave the device powered off for 12 hrs after using any liquid method, to prevent any possibility of water damage.
You can apply the cover in the evening and leave it to dry through the night.

Bigmille said:
Just brought full body protectors for the Xoom and Galaxy Tab for only $33 with free shipping.
The only thing missing seems to be the spay to apply the cover, but this is a minor issue.
EDIT: Also thanks to OP for the excellent guide. I'd just like to add that I normally leave the device powered off for 12 hrs after using any liquid method, to prevent any possibility of water damage.
You can apply the cover in the evening and leave it to dry through the night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should have added this to the original post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-hN4PHDfsg
Use lots of water, make sure the whole surface is covered, but then let it drip until theres not much left. I didn't use enough water to have any worries of water damage to my xoom (almost nothing comes out from the edges), but you need to get complete coverage or you could get a bubble that wouldn't come out.
Do exactly like the video; make sure your workspace is open and clean! (like, really clean!) Wipe it down first, then lay out a clean dish towel. Use the dish towel to wipe the little bit of water from the edges. You can use the dish towel to hold the plastic to the curved edges too.

ZAGG sells a similar kit that includes a solution in a spray bottle. As well, you can also order the kit with a graphic pattern on it either from the shop or your own custom work, thereby giving you protection with a good grippy surface AND cool graphics to customize your tablet. Ill post a picture of mine later.

Kokanee483 said:
ZAGG sells a similar kit that includes a solution in a spray bottle. As well, you can also order the kit with a graphic pattern on it either from the shop or your own custom work, thereby giving you protection with a good grippy surface AND cool graphics to customize your tablet. Ill post a picture of mine later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great. I had no idea there were other options. Maybe you should write a review...

Screen Protector`s - Anybody Else Rubbish at fitting them

I have to have it perfect, but i always end up with dust/dirt bubbles, or it`s not aligned correctly.
I would pay to mine fitted perfect, why does somebody not set up a business fitting them.
Phone shop`s should offer the service for a small fee.
I usually buy a cheap pack or 6-10 as i throw a lot away, or still end up not having one fitted.
John.

Tinderbox (UK) said:
I have to have it perfect, but i always end up with dust/dirt bubbles, or it`s not aligned correctly.
I would pay to mine fitted perfect, why does somebody not set up a business fitting them.
Phone shop`s should offer the service for a small fee.
I usually buy a cheap pack or 6-10 as i throw a lot away, or still end up not having one fitted.
John.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For dry applies, look up the hinge method on Youtube, it makes applying screen protectors a breeze, and gets things perfect every time the first time. As far as dust goes, I recommend shining a LED flashlight around the screen, and using a piece of tape to spot remove every last bit of dust just prior to peeling the screen protector's 1st side up.
For wet applies, I find that I get better results by not using any soap, and just using water by itself. Less chance of it appearing cloudy or hazy after it dries. The key is to use liberal amounts of water to keep the protector sliding.

Every time I install one I screw it up so I finally gave up and just started picking them up at the AT&T store and let them do it. Ordered a mime ghost glass a while back and was heading down to the AT&T store to see if they would install it, but stopped at Radio Shack on the way there and those guys were more than willing to install it for me also. The guy said the mime is much easier to install because its more solid and not like those flimsy cheap ones you buy elsewhere. Seems most places that sell them aint got no problem installing them if they aint all tied up with other stuff.

Thats the problem. the cheap ones do not stick as well as the ones from good companies such as Spigen, MediaDevil, martin fields
glass protectors are the thing now, MIME feather glass from the USA is the best

Tinderbox (UK) said:
I have to have it perfect, but i always end up with dust/dirt bubbles, or it`s not aligned correctly.
I would pay to mine fitted perfect, why does somebody not set up a business fitting them.
Phone shop`s should offer the service for a small fee.
I usually buy a cheap pack or 6-10 as i throw a lot away, or still end up not having one fitted.
John.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use the hinge method for placement, as far as the dust/dirt try the shower method. Run the shower for five minutes with the door closed on hot (allows steam to form). Turn off shower and allow the steam to settle (2-3) minutes, this pulls the dust and dander out of the air. Then apply the screen protector to the handset.DO NOT leave the handset in the bathroom while the rooms fills with steam or when it is settling. I did not believe this method would work but I have used it on my Rezound, Droid X, Nexus 7 tablet and my HTC One with dust/hair free installs.

I used to be clumsy at it, but now I fit mine flawlessly. I have done it with 3 phones and 2 tablets and all of them were bubble free. My rule, keep the device under a light so you can see the dust particles or anything else clearly. Wipe it with micro fiber (or use alcohol wipes if the surface is smudgy). Use a scotch tape to remove the dust particles, small strokes, even in the areas which look clean. It takes 2 minutes to cover the whole device. Align the screen protector across the edges and work your way down, making sure the sides align and are in straight line. You will get bubbles which you can then remove using a credit card by wiping them towards the edges. Works for me everytime.

I work at a cellphone store and whenever someone buys a screen protector we install them for free glass or plastic:laugh:

what I find is the easiest method of applying a film screen protector and worked for me for 2 years whilst working in a vodafone store is the following:
1) ensure the screen is clean of dust, a good cloth in a relatively clean environment does the job, if not do it near a boiling kettle.
2) before peeling off the first layer line the screen protector up along the top of the handset, where you would like it begin. (for the htc one, it would be just below the top speaker grill),
3) peel back the first layer only slightly, line and up press down adhesive side with the top of the handset, easiest done with the top of the handset facing away from you. (benefit of this is, you've pulled the whole thing off and it's less likely to catch dust if only a small part of the protector is visible to wilderness.
4) with the top of the protector adhered to your screen, swivel the phone around so the top is closest to you without letting the protector move from it's position,
5) from here, it is a simple task of taking a piece of cardboard or hard paper and gently push forward from the top, whilst slowing peeling back the bottom plastic until you're at the bottom.
6) you may have some small bubbles right on the bottom edge of your protector, just use your thumb or the paper to gently squeeze them out.
Works for me 90% of the time. Also depends somewhat on the quality of the protector. But I would recommend a Glas.Tr or MIME type protector.

I love that dust remover that came with the mime. I covered the whole screen, ripped it off and put the glass one on in less than a second.

I bought mine from mobilefun.com. Don't remember exactly which, but it was one of the "premium" ones (not cheapest). From a 5-pack I got it perfect on the 4th try! Be patient and read the insructions carefully (which I didn't before the 3rd try) hehe ...

OK, i read no instructions apart from which tab to pull of first on the protector, i cleaned the screen with the included cloth, no steamy room or anything, it took me five attempt's to get the protector in the right place and there were bubbles galore, but i managed to get them all out, no dust underneath that i can see so i wasted no screen protectors i still have two left.
John.

Three things are recommended, dust removing sticker, microfiber cloth and a room with heated vapor such as a bathroom, after you have showered(dont take device in during shower).

I got some cheap matte ones from eBay... They are truly awsome and fit the whole screen(you must be pro master on fittin screen protectors)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35084675949...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
My secret for fitting perfectly is to hold your screen down after wipin all the dust while getting the protector ready itself... Once I put it on without any dust under ir, I press it very hard and move it in direction where I need if not correctly positioned... When its just sticked on, you can still move it slighty - thats all it takes to get those 0,1mm right

How To Guide How to keep your case on the front of the phone

Alright, after months of trying to nail this problem down I finally have a good solution!
I've tried a few different cases on my fold3 and none of them really held well on the top screen when folded and in my pocket. It would start sliding off. So I finally have a solution. Get yourself some good double sided tape (I suggest some type of 3m tape This for example) and measure you a piece of tape that is length of the case that touches the phone that isn't on the screen. Then take a sharp knife and cut a very thin strip of tape. Put that strip on your case and then put the case on the phone. Press hard and hold it there for a bit and then BAM it's not going anywhere again. If it's done right it will not be noticable (see pics I've attached) unless you look closely it's really clean and nice looking to me.
In the pictures you can see the black strip of tape that came with the case that wasn't super useful but what useful was my piece of tape.

I have been lucky in that my cases have not had this issue, but I agree, if you need too, there is no shame in using tape to keep this thing protected.
Just use good quality stuff.
This is the stuff I have and I LOVE IT... https://smile.amazon.com/25Meter-Double-Adhesive-Display-Housing/dp/B071D5CKCX

Good solution, just easy.
Unfortunetly fold series and other folded devices need specially cover.
I have fold 2 1,5 year and few covers:
Ringke slim. Good cover but even pieces of double tape after take off i saw particles of dust and sand.
Next i bought Spigen armor pro. Great protection but a lot of bulky and even mount with force for good fit after few weeks and take off i saw few white dots on the frame from probably few particles sand.
It was little frustrating because I always to take care my devices and carry without any other stuff in my pocket.
4 days ago i told "stop" covers with use tape for hold on the device.
Without case fold is really beautifull and touch metal in every time is really pleasant .
I read topics on reddit about "caseless fold devices" and a lot of people have enjoy use folds without case.
After that I use my device only with original leather back cover, without front cover.
Admittedly 2 days ago drop my fold from pocket on the floor. It drop edge front frame but after that is only scratch and rest device survive well

I have béen using a dab of clear silicone sealant. Holds well, and comes off by rubbing it with a cloth.

After a few months of searching, I just gave up and use whichever is the slimmest case without an adhesive. It made more than a few scratches on the side of my screen and I just decided not to give a crap about it, it doesn't go over the main screen anyway.