InvisibleSHIELD bubbles! Please take a look! [edit: just get a BSE]

[christianinri]

I have the same setup as you do (PS Antiglare on the screen, Zagg InvisibleSHIELD on the back). I just received my InvisibleSHIELD and it was pretty easy. The trick really is to wet the hell out of the thing.

For anyone that is trying to install the InvisibleSHIELD on the iPad, I'd suggest covering the headphone jacket and the 30mm connector before applying the InvisibleSHIELD to prevent any short circuiting from occurring. I used the entire bottle of liquid that they provided plus some additional soapy water to make the whole thing as wet as possible. I then placed the film on the iPad, adjusted it to the correct spot, then used the squeegee to remove all the bubbles. It's a pretty easy process if you make sure to keep the surface wet.

For the OP, I'd retry it again and keep the soapy water near. I don't think those bubbles will go out during time. I'd retry it and make sure to release all those bubbles.

Here is my finish product. It took me about 10 minutes to get it the way that I wanted it to be.

 

[three]

My experience with applying invisible shield is that it is best to use lots of soapy water. I put a few drops of dishwashing soap into a large bowl, pour in water, foam it up, and then soak the shield in the water. Lay the shield carefully down on the iphone/ipad. You may have to lift it up a few times and re-soak it in the soap solution. Most times I don't squeegee it, just let it dry on its own. Also, do it in your bathroom (dust free as possible).

If you contact invisibleshield they will send you a replacement for free.

I just installed a BSE back shield on my iPad using this method, it's MUCH easier using this than a spray bottle.

 

[CristobalHuet]

any status update on the bubbles? did they come out? pix?

Nope. Didn't come out, removed, tossed away.

If you can't get a replacement, try Body Armor kiosks at Best Buy. They'll do the application for you and they have special equipment to make it dry and adhere faster.

Thanks for the tip, but I already ordered a BSE. I never seen one of those kiosks where I live too.

I just installed a BSE back shield on my iPad using this method, it's MUCH easier using this than a spray bottle.

Good to know, this thread has been invaluable...thank you all for your very helpful advice on how to go through with this, hoping second time's a charm (lol).

I have the same setup as you do (PS Antiglare on the screen, Zagg InvisibleSHIELD on the back). I just received my InvisibleSHIELD and it was pretty easy. The trick really is to wet the hell out of the thing.

For anyone that is trying to install the InvisibleSHIELD on the iPad, I'd suggest covering the headphone jacket and the 30mm connector before applying the InvisibleSHIELD to prevent any short circuiting from occurring. I used the entire bottle of liquid that they provided plus some additional soapy water to make the whole thing as wet as possible. I then placed the film on the iPad, adjusted it to the correct spot, then used the squeegee to remove all the bubbles. It's a pretty easy process if you make sure to keep the surface wet.

For the OP, I'd retry it again and keep the soapy water near. I don't think those bubbles will go out during time. I'd retry it and make sure to release all those bubbles.

Here is my finish product. It took me about 10 minutes to get it the way that I wanted it to be.

Nicely done! I didn't use any additional liquid (just the fluid bottle), so I'll be sure to wet it as much as I can next time. And you're right about the jacks/connectors...if water gets in there, not only do you risk fudging up the machine, but you could also void your warranty.

 

[silverblack]

The bubbles will eventually go away, may take up to 3 or 4 weeks though. I didn't have as many bubbles as shown by the OP, but they will go away.

As for warranty replacement, don't ever tell them you make an error during installation. Just go to the online form, and select "damage while protecting the device". They will first ship you a new one, and charge your credit card for full price. Then you return the old shields immediately and get a refund. There is life time warranty, so you can do this as many times as you need to. In fact, Zagg recommends you remove your shield before sending in your equipment for repair. So that's the excuse you can always give them, no questions asked.

To all invisible shield users, be warned that your shields will turn yellow in a year or two. I had it on my 1st generation Macbook Air. When I had my screen replaced last month, removed the shield and noticed how yellow it became. I didn't bother installing a new set after seeing this.

 

[jmor]

Thanks for all the great tips, I have never been good at these installs but maybe now ...

 

[pulawman]

FYI, if your local mall has a ZAGG kiosk, they install their products for a minimal $5 fee.

EDIT: Went to the ZAGG kiosk yesterday, and locally they raised their prices. $6 for phone install for screens & $12 for phone full bodies. They noted that larger devices may cost extra $$$

 

[CristobalHuet]

Got my BSE last night, used the soap and water soak method described in this thread. First impressions: PERFECTION. It was so painless and easy, I highly recommend anyone thinking about a shield like this to get the BSE (it's non adhesive, easier to pull off, and cheaper than IS, all while being of equal quality) and use a dish of soapy water. I barely had bubbles, and the ones I did, I pushed out easily.

Thank you for your invaluable advice guys (and girls).

But of course, something HAD to go wrong. I put hockey tape (yep, lol) over the ports and jacks to protect my iPad from any water damage. I got kind of overzealous when I finished with the back, and ripped off the tape, part of which was also stuck onto my screen in the front.

The screen had a Power Support Anti-Glare firmly stuck onto it, or so I thought. I ended up ripping off half of my film. I shrieked, hollered and cursed. Then, I calmed down and pushed it back on, being careful not to pull it off and f*** it up for good. Air bubbles! I pushed them all out, but 3 remained...one on the bezel, one near the home button, and one on the edge. I couldn't get those out, seems like a speck or grain of dust were stuck in those 3 spots.

It's tolerable though, and I'm glad I got the BSE on more than anything, so I can take this (it still looks fairly slick in the front, I may post some pics lol). Maybe if I get brave enough I'll gently pull off the edge and use some tape to remove the dust that's causing the bubbles. Maybe.

 

[iFerd]

For the screen protector and a few dust specks, lift a corner (Scotch tape works well for that), and use a piece of Scotch tape to grab the dust. When I do this, I make sure to apply the tape to the screen and to the protector, since I can never tell which it is actually clinging to. I've never failed to get rid of the random dust speck that way.

Another hint that I didn't notice here is to raise the humidity in a closed room (shower on hot for a few minutes) and apply the protector in that environment. There will be lots less dust in the air to settle on the screen after you've dusted it, but before you can get the protector installed.