Okay, let me start by saying that normally I hate it when I post a query, and then people answer with something that I just said I specifically did NOT want
As I do just that ...
I AM going to go look up the Carbon one, just because I like to see what is available and I did not know about it when I was choosing. But, I thought I would reply from the perspective of someone who was VERY nervous about using water to apply a skin to a brand new MBP. I mean, come on, WATER
But, I did. (A bestskinsever... if you are interested see AlphaDogg's review with my comments.)
And it was really not too scary once I got going. The only place I still am too concerned to apply it is the trackpad, because I'm not sure how well the edges of it are sealed.
What I did was start with the back cover, which I completely removed from the computer, so there was no risk. That gave me some experience in how it would handle.
Next I did the top, and before-hand I used some blue tape to tape thin plastic over the keyboard and ports, then placed a thin dishtowel over the keyboard and partially closed the lid (in retrospect, I think the towel alone would have been fine, as it is not mass quantities of water).
For the sides, I taped off open ports, and the crack where the bottom case meets the top case.
Okay, well not to bore you with the whole thing, but I did want to just mention this since I was SO nervous about using water/soap! I'm trying to imagine how one would line up the edges of a super-accurately cut adhesive skin without being able to move it slightly before it stuck. Obviously it must be possible.
Now to go check out the Carbon
Edit: The iCarbon looks pretty neat! I think I might buy one instead of my BSE, except one thing I can't tell for sure, although I watched a few youtube install videos: It looks like maybe the iCarbon does not go as close to the edges of the MBP. I'm not sure I'd want to give that up. But... very cool!
Miss Terri
PS: The bse-type skins actually do have the adhesive on them already. It's just that they are very precisely cut (go right to the edges) and without using water it would be (nearly?) impossible to get them placed properly. The small amount of soapy water gives you a window of time where you can move them around and get them just right. The adhesive actually doesn't stick until the water is gone.