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Is Anyone Skilled at Centering Screen Protectors?

M

mackandproud

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 9, 2008
367
0
I've applied 3 or 4 of these already, and have not improved one bit in aligning them perfectly.

Even after multiple attempts with the same protector, I still can't seem to apply it spot on.

For those of you who can get a perfect alignment, what's your secret? Is it just time, repetition and elbow grease? Or, do you have unbelievable hand eye coordination? Perfect lighting? Share your secrets here...
 
Nope, so much so that I go to the Ghost Armor kiosk and let the pros handle it.

I've tried putting screen protectors on my devices since the days of the PDAs and I always seem to get bubbles, or centering issues or specs of dust under the screen. I've never put one on cleanly, so now I don't :D
 
I've gotten pretty good at it now - this seems to be the best technique:

I like to do it in natural light. Place your phone in front of you, get rid of all the dirt. Peel the backing off and bend (gently) the protector in a subtle "u" with your thumb holding the one edge and your index / middle holding the other. Lower it down to the phone and align the home key space and the speaker / front facing camera holes. You should be able to get the screen dead in place by just centring the holes and widening your fingers to make sure it is the right place (the whole home key hole will drop). Once you have the holes, centred the screen will be in the right place. Let the screen connect in a line down the centre of the phone and then widen your fingers so both sides drop down. Using a credit card, rub from the centre out to remove any air.

Hope that makes sense!

Oh, and also remember - I find the cheaper screens aren't necessarily perfectly cut. That might be the problem!
 
mackandproud said:
For those of you who can get a perfect alignment, what's your secret? Is it just time, repetition and elbow grease? Or, do you have unbelievable hand eye coordination? Perfect lighting? Share your secrets here...
Click to expand...
Patience, experience, performing a test alignment so I know what every edge of the screen protector should look like after installing and can keep an eye on the edges during the install process. Unbelievable hand-eye coordination isn't necessary. Countless people are able to do so.
 
Bend slightly vertically, align the middle of the home button and receiver, and drop :p.
 
maflynn said:
Nope, so much so that I go to the Ghost Armor kiosk and let the pros handle it.

I've tried putting screen protectors on my devices since the days of the PDAs and I always seem to get bubbles, or centering issues or specs of dust under the screen. I've never put one on cleanly, so now I don't :D
Click to expand...

I hear you maflynn! I was at Best Buy the other day and they actually charge a freaking $8 to install it for you. Hell no am I going to let them do it.

I just got a glass screen protector. Installing it was a breeze. Did it myself at home and no air bubbles! The glass screen feels good to the touch.

Goodbye to air bubbles! HAHA
 
I can put on a perfectly centered screen protector without the hinge method. I think the trick is perseverance and dexterity. It might take several tries to perfectly center it, and if you're really close to having it centered, you need to be able to move it ever so slightly in the right direction. Don't worry about dust, but try not to be in a dusty environment. Dust can be removed after you have it in the desired position.
 
Hinge method.

Start at the bottom with the film only pulled back a little. Bend and line up over the home button and edge of screen. Use a card to push it down and away from the home button, pealing the film off as you go.

Push the air out using a card.

To get dust/lint out, wrap scotch tape around the end of a pen, sticky side out. Use scotch tape to lift the protector and use the pen to 'grab' the dust.

100% perfect and virtually invisible installation every time :)
 
I agree with the others that said hinge method. I've installed a lot of protectors over the past few years and the hinge method is quick and easy. Way better than eyeballing it and hoping its aligned as you lay it down.
 
I don't like to toot my own horn, but sometimes I do it better than the "professionals". That's why I tell them I'll just do it instead of the risk of them screwing it up.
 
TyPod said:
I don't like to toot my own horn, but sometimes I do it better than the "professionals". That's why I tell them I'll just do it instead of the risk of them screwing it up.
Click to expand...

Yep, I have seen 2 so called 'professional' installs which were not as good as mine, even on an average day.
 
My biggest issue has been dust particles. I find running not water in the shower, in the bathroom to make it steam, helps clear out any dust. But not all bathrooms have good lighting....




Mike
 
Tinmania said:
My biggest issue has been dust particles. I find running not water in the shower, in the bathroom to make it steam, helps clear out any dust. But not all bathrooms have good lighting....




Mike
Click to expand...

The trick is to not worry about dust, just get it on straight. I used to install them in streamy bathrooms etc, until I realised how easy they are to get rid of AFTER you have put the screen protector on. Obviously you want to minimise dust and start with a very clean screen, but its so easy to get rid of dust.

I have had friends come to me with theirs, with three or 4 bits of dust/lint under them, really disappointed they have wasted money on them, and I have removed them.
 
theautopilot said:
The trick is to not worry about dust. I used to install them in streamy bathrooms etc, until I realised how easy they are to get rid of AFTER to have put the screen protector.
Click to expand...
I wish I could. Last time I put one on I aborted the mission 20% into it due to one tiny dust particle. This is when having mild OCD is a problem. :mad:

Meanwhile everyday dust and whatnot on top of the screen would have been far more noticeable--yet ignored.
 
Tinmania said:
I wish I could. Last time I put one on I aborted the mission 20% into it due to one tiny dust particle. This is when having mild OCD is a problem. :mad:

Meanwhile everyday dust and whatnot on top of the screen would have been far more noticeable--yet ignored.
Click to expand...

I have mild OCD I think, that's why I would not put up with a single tiny speck of dust or air.

Dont abort next time, get the protector on regarless of dust the start the dust removal process. Learn the pen trick, might take a could of attempts at first, but honestly it is so easy to do :)
 
Yea I lay it on straight. Once it is one there and the non dust bubbles are removed I can basically divide the screen protector into for sections. I lift by each corner to get any dust particle out. That way I don't allow any other dust to get in there, because if I can't reach by lifting one corner I move to the next.

I rarely even get dust since I do it in the kitchen, but if there are one or two lifting a corner is easier than worrying about perfect conditions.
 
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