Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Am I the only one who HATES screen protectors??

S

Synergie

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 15, 2011
771
210
Halifax, Canada
I must spend seriously wads of cash trying to find the 'perfect' screen protector. Then, when I get a 2 pack, I ALWAYS waste the first one trying to get it on correctly, misalign it, have to reposition, which always ends up in a piece of dust getting underneath no matter how many precautions against dust that I take, or a small piece of fuzz or a hair, etc... and if I see any of those under the protector, it drives me nuts and I rip said protector off because it's more noticeable than any small surface scratches would ever be - and I could NOT stand looking at a piece of fuzz every time I turn on the phone and have a light background (like in the mail app) ( I just realized the above paragraph may be slightly humorous due to seeming OCD LOL)

Am I the only one who wants protection, but can never be satisfied with a screen protector no matter how much I try??? :( If I keep my iPhone inside a satin lined COACH case when not in use, should I get a decent amount of time out of it before I notice surface scratches? (keeping in mind I'll probably upgrade in about a year to a year and a half anyway)

Right now, I have the COACH phone / wallet pouch and the matching iPad2 sleeve. Both are satin lined.

I have a very thin snap case on both devices to protect the backs - both have the Moshi iGlaze snap case in pearl white (to accent the white devices) So the backs are protected by those, and the COACH cases provide shock protection when inside. It's just the screens I am worried about!
 
I am waiting on my Power Support Crystal protector and hoping to god it will be "the one". I had a Zagg Invisible Shield on it before and ripped it off yesterday...my god it was like undressing a supermodel.
 
iVisor is great from the standpoint of installing.

However, I think the anti-glare of it really washes out the screen. I find the PS Anti-Glare protector a better quality and doesn't reduce the screen vibrance as much.

Maybe it's just me.
 
Last edited:
kicko said:
i would agree but its anti glare, i want it in crystal!!

my friend at work has one and he takes it on and off with no issues. I was like are you kidding me!
Click to expand...

But when you take it off, doesn't it pick up dust and debris in the air? I have had several that claimed to be reusable / washable... and no matter how much I tried, it was NEVER pristine after the first application. Again, I can't stand seeing dust stuck under the screen protector. To me, that's worse than worrying about fine surface scratches that happen over time, and are only visible in direct light. It kind of defeats the purpose of having a protector to keep the screen pristine, if you have to look at a dust bunny every time you turn on the phone!

It's like dead pixels... you never see one until someone points it out to you, or one day you just happen to notice it, and then you can't stop seeing it!!
 
njgeek said:
I am waiting on my Power Support Crystal protector and hoping to god it will be "the one". I had a Zagg Invisible Shield on it before and ripped it off yesterday...my god it was like undressing a supermodel.
Click to expand...

PS was definitely "the one" for me. Clear as crystal with protection, hardly even know it's there.

I use to hate putting on screen protectors,
wait a week for a $20 sheet of plastic to arrive only to screw up the installation process.

After I started putting them on in a steamy bathroom, installation became super easy.
 
Synergie said:
But when you take it off, doesn't it pick up dust and debris in the air? I have had several that claimed to be reusable / washable... and no matter how much I tried, it was NEVER pristine after the first application. Again, I can't stand seeing dust stuck under the screen protector. To me, that's worse than worrying about fine surface scratches that happen over time, and are only visible in direct light. It kind of defeats the purpose of having a protector to keep the screen pristine, if you have to look at a dust bunny every time you turn on the phone!

It's like dead pixels... you never see one until someone points it out to you, or one day you just happen to notice it, and then you can't stop seeing it!!
Click to expand...

I hear it helps if you put them on in the bathroom with the door closed and a hot shower running until the room is totally steamed up.
 
One easy way to install a screen protector without getting anything in it is this.

When you get the screen protector film, the film itself should have a tab that you have to remove. Don't remove it all the way, because it is static and it can attract more dusts. What you do is pull it half way down or 1/4 down and align it your phone from the top. Once it's aligned, use the squeegee and press it down, the tab piece should slide out as you use the squeegee.

*I honestly can't describe in verbal of how to do this, but SGP steinheil protector has a description on the back of how to do it, it may be on their site. www.sgpstore.com of how to install. If not search on youtube.

Also for the dust trick. If after you apply and you see a noticeable dust, don't remove the entire screen, use a piece of tape, and gently lift up the screen protector (not all the way) and use another tape, stick it in there to remove the dust or foreign object. Once you successfully remove the dust, remove that tape, and remove the tape that you used to lift up the screen protector.
 
if you really screw them up that much i'd go the ebay route with something from China, you can get a 3 pack for 3 bucks or so. Zagg also offers free lifetime warranty, even if you screw it up during install, but soak it down with that application stuff and you won't be able to screw it up
 
I don't use screen protectors or case. They are a pain in the butt. I do have a small scratch on my screen though. Not noticeable while the screen is on though. Haven't used it on my iPhone 4 since launch day.

My wife has my old iPhone 3G and she doesn't use it either, the phone is what? 3 years old and screen looks good. She does have a case to protect the back. There is a crack on the back and been there for more than a year. Not sure how that happened. Maybe from all the times I dropped it.
 
I always get a couple dust specks when applying a new static cling type protector (such as the SGP Steinheil ultraoleophobic) to a new device. Not applicable to BSE / InvisibleShield type protectors, but I never use those on a touch screen.

These are easily remedied.

Take a couple 2-3" long pieces of tape (standard office scotch tape, the translucent kind not crystal clear). Stick one on the protector while its on the phone, extending off one corner closest to the piece of dust. It helps to fold over the inside end for easier removal.

Using this piece of tape, gently lift the corner edge of the screen protector past the dust speck. Insert the other piece of tape between the lifted protector and the screen, sticky side towards the dust, press down gently on the protector to stick the dust to the tape, lift back up and pull out the tape with the dust. Lay the protector back down gently squeegeeing with your finger to eliminate air bubbles.

Repeat for any other dust specks.

Takes less than five minutes (with practice). :D Result is a completely dust and bubble free application.

Also see this thread for how to clean and re-use: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/523218/
 
Shadowbech said:
When you get the screen protector film, the film itself should have a tab that you have to remove. Don't remove it all the way, because it is static and it can attract more dusts. What you do is pull it half way down or 1/4 down and align it your phone from the top. Once it's aligned, use the squeegee and press it down, the tab piece should slide out as you use the squeegee.
Click to expand...

This is the easiest way but I don't even use a squeegee. I peel back the tab half way and start aligning from the bottom of the phone to the top and once it's aligned properly I pull out the tab from underneath and seat the screen protector on top. You get the hang of it after you've done about 15 of them.
 
Get yourself some phonedevil screen protectors
I've tried every brand out and these are by far the best
Easy to install and you can't even tell its on.
 
ericrwalker said:
It's not easy to scratch the screen, and the tiny one I have can probably be buffed out.

If it was bad I would try, but you can barely notice it.
Click to expand...

Getting my first iPhone this weekend(assuming the apple store has any in stock) so the only experience I have is with my iPod Touch. I didn't baby it as much as I should have but it acquired quite a few scratches in the time I had had it. That said I'll have a screen protector on within my first day of getting the phone.
 
Have you tried installing it in the bathroom after a hot shower? The steam picks up the dust in the air.

Just have your normal shower with windows/doors closed and vents off. Do your normal post-shower routine to give most of the steam a chance to settle. Then install your protector. Oh, make sure you have your phone covered until you are ready to apply so it doesn't get moisture on it.

You might get a little moisture from doing this method, but you can get most of it out with those installation cards. Then give what's left some time to evaporate.

Works for me.
 
N23 said:
PS was definitely "the one" for me. Clear as crystal with protection, hardly even know it's there.

I use to hate putting on screen protectors,
wait a week for a $20 sheet of plastic to arrive only to screw up the installation process.

After I started putting them on in a steamy bathroom, installation became super easy.
Click to expand...

I agree - Power Support crystal clear, steamy bathroom and patience and you will get a perfect fit with no dust, no bubbles and perfectly aligned. I'm totally anal about screen protectors but can get a perfect install every time with PS. iPhone is super easy compared to putting one on an iPad but with PS I have a perfect install on my iPad and it's like 1.5 years old now and still looks like new.
 
I reinstalled my powersupport about 30 times the first day due to misalignments and another 4 times the next day after it had been sitting on the screen so id say its reusable. But the trick to get the dust off the screen protector when u take it off is get scotch tape make vertical rows then when your about to install peel back slowly and install at the same time and its good to go and you can keep doing it until your sick of it. Mines perfect now.
 
A simple piece of tape takes the dust right out, its really simple.:)

----------
Nhwhazup said:
I agree - Power Support crystal clear, steamy bathroom and patience and you will get a perfect fit with no dust, no bubbles and perfectly aligned. I'm totally anal about screen protectors but can get a perfect install every time with PS. iPhone is super easy compared to putting one on an iPad but with PS I have a perfect install on my iPad and it's like 1.5 years old now and still looks like new.
Click to expand...

use some tape, no need to shower with your phone :p
 
I...I actually did it. I came home to find my PS Crystal waiting. It's installed without bubbles or dust.

Do you understand me? For four generations of iPhones I've installed screen protectors. Every time I've ended up tearing them off, tears of shame and frustration pouring down my cheeks as the cursed-by-the-gods-of-touchscreens film seemed to spontaneously crease and gather every dust particle in a 10 mile radius. And now, in this moment, on this day...I have done it.

The screen, my god, the screen. It's like nothing is covering it. My words here are as crisp as bacon which has been over fried in the grease of other bacon. My finger glides over the film like a paper airplane made by one of those Filipino kids in school who always seemed to make better paper stuff than you. The screen shines as brightly as a 100 watt light bulb reflecting off the top of a bald guy with the bushy monk ring's head. It is, in a nutshell, perfect. Like Leeloo Dallas.

This day, I go to godhood my friends. It was nice knowing you.
 
I do use the peel 1/4 of the way method. And I clean the screen prior with a dust repellant cleaner. I always manage to get one tiny little speck. And peeling the cover back to try and remove it causes that spot to not sit back down on the screen properly..... Like I can see a visible line to where I peeled it back to.

I have been using clear crystal ones and I managed to get a satin matte finish one on the iPad without dust ( or at least that I can see) so I am gonna try a matte one on the iPhone too.

I never used to like matte finish but I am starting to become partial on the iPad since it really repels fingerprints and glare. I had no idea how much glare I really had! I can notice small distortion though because of it...

Problem is I am a perfectionist .... The Virgo in me! LOL.
 
iphone1105 said:
use some tape, no need to shower with your phone :p
Click to expand...

Tapes works but can still get frustrating.
You go to remove one speck of dust only to have another pop up somewhere else.

It's a lot easier to just eliminate the dust in the air all together in a steamy bathroom.
 
njgeek said:
I...I actually did it. I came home to find my PS Crystal waiting. It's installed without bubbles or dust.

Do you understand me? For four generations of iPhones I've installed screen protectors. Every time I've ended up tearing them off, tears of shame and frustration pouring down my cheeks as the cursed-by-the-gods-of-touchscreens film seemed to spontaneously crease and gather every dust particle in a 10 mile radius. And now, in this moment, on this day...I have done it.

The screen, my god, the screen. It's like nothing is covering it. My words here are as crisp as bacon which has been over fried in the grease of other bacon. My finger glides over the film like a paper airplane made by one of those Filipino kids in school who always seemed to make better paper stuff than you. The screen shines as brightly as a 100 watt light bulb reflecting off
the top of a bald guy with the bushy monk ring's head. It is, in a nutshell, perfect. Like Leeloo Dallas.

This day, I go to godhood my friends. It was nice knowing you.
Click to expand...

Love your description! Welcome to the PS kingdom. Just nothing like it, is there?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back