Kinda touchy, are we? Take it easy Mike. Easy to answer your question. Most common situation would be where you have an issue with ur iPad and end up getting a replacement from Apple. Certainly don't want to keep ordering a skin each time.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Most asthetically pleasing iPad 2 carbon fiber skin?
- Thread starter Nykwil
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Kinda touchy, are we? Take it easy Mike. Easy to answer your question. Most common situation would be where you have an issue with ur iPad and end up getting a replacement from Apple. Certainly don't want to keep ordering a skin each time.
Just got my Icarbons in for iPad 2 white feels great looks good but I suck at installing and screwed up the corners, gonna see if I go to their warehouse if they would install since I'm like 30 mins away
Does not affect the back what so ever. No residue or stickiness. Have put on and taken off several different brands.
I used a hair dryer. I applied heat until the film started to go limp. Worked perfect from there. Do NOT use a heat gun unless you REALLY know what you are doing. Hair dryer works fine.
I ordered over the weekend, shipping notice came Monday, black iCarbons skin arrived tonight. Very pleased - I haven't installed them yet - but they look really good.
The fact that their website does not make the slightest mention about ease of removal and the presence or absence of permanent effects to the iPad is an epic fail. At the very least, they could make some comment in their FAQ's section about this.
Since you appear to have a vested interest in this product, perhaps you could communicate this to them.
I've dealt with many diy adhesive products in the past. Wrapsol, bodyguardz, zagg, BSE, R/C car decals. All of them used adhesive and all of them were for the most part pretty easy to remove. You may have to be a little bit more careful removing it with more delicate items, but I've yet to come across something that I couldn't take off. Lucky Labs vinyl skins tend to leave a bit of residue when pulling it off, but nothing that couldn't be wiped off with some water or alcohol. I had a MBP 13" with a bodyguardz skin on it that was a pain to remove, and if i wasn't careful it might have warped the aluminum, however common sense usually kicks in and I go slow and steady with it. If i feel a skin is going to be difficult to remove i just go about it more carefully. It's not really a big deal to me, it's not rocket science.
If there's any doubt though, a quick google search on how to remove 3M Di-Noc (which was established earlier usually what these carbon fiber skins are made of) would net you the optimal way to remove it is to use a blowdryer to warm the adhesive and pull away
Last edited:
Just installed my iCarbons skin, and it was super easy. Took about 10 minutes total.
I did have the same problem some have had with the corners rippling. I think the problem is caused when you heat it to apply, but it cools off as you're pressing it down. If you can keep it warm, use your fingernail to burnish the skin until it's smooth. Took some doing, but now I have completely smooth corners. Just keep heating it and burnishing until it lays down smooth.
My only complaint (and this is completely anal, and purely cosmetic) but the carbon fiber pattern in the black apple (I got the white skin) doesn't match up to the pattern in the white around it. I have no idea how they could fix that, so I'll just shut up about it.
Overall, it was a super easy install, and looks like it'll be quite durable. I definitely wouldn't hesitate to get another skin from them!
I did have the same problem some have had with the corners rippling. I think the problem is caused when you heat it to apply, but it cools off as you're pressing it down. If you can keep it warm, use your fingernail to burnish the skin until it's smooth. Took some doing, but now I have completely smooth corners. Just keep heating it and burnishing until it lays down smooth.
My only complaint (and this is completely anal, and purely cosmetic) but the carbon fiber pattern in the black apple (I got the white skin) doesn't match up to the pattern in the white around it. I have no idea how they could fix that, so I'll just shut up about it.
Overall, it was a super easy install, and looks like it'll be quite durable. I definitely wouldn't hesitate to get another skin from them!
Installed
Installation: Was a bit tricky for me to be honest. The corners were sometimes hard to play with, but once you got it going it was easy from then on.
Looks and Feels: It looks great. Not gaudy at all and screams precision. I was worried that it was going to look really tacky, but it really does look good to the eye and feels not as slippery in the hands.
Cost: A bit high for the materials used, but somebody has to make a buck.
Overall: Get it, if this is what you're looking for.
Sorry for the pic. Taken from my Droid, not my 5D.
Installation: Was a bit tricky for me to be honest. The corners were sometimes hard to play with, but once you got it going it was easy from then on.
Looks and Feels: It looks great. Not gaudy at all and screams precision. I was worried that it was going to look really tacky, but it really does look good to the eye and feels not as slippery in the hands.
Cost: A bit high for the materials used, but somebody has to make a buck.
Overall: Get it, if this is what you're looking for.
Sorry for the pic. Taken from my Droid, not my 5D.
Attachments
the carbon skin from phantomskinz actually looks like it has the best of both worlds. from the pictures it looks like it extends closer to the edge than the icarbonz model. it also has pretty good corner coverage, with 2 small slits in the carbon thats are very minimal and tough to see. think im going to give this a try. a user on page 4 posted a low res picture of his and the coverage and corners look great!
http://phantomskinz.com/appleipad2chromatics.aspx
http://phantomskinz.com/appleipad2chromatics.aspx
Josh I ordered from you guys on tuesday and the shipping info from USPS has not updated from the standard we have received information from the shipper message. Shows no movement at all.
That was easy!!
I ordered my icarbons skin on Monday and it got here Thursday, I live in Florida so it does not have that far to travel but it was processed quickly delivered much faster than I expected. Before installing I watched the video they posted online before and it helped out a lot, especially with the corners. I have to say that it is one of the easiest skins I have ever put on the iPad and the contrasting apple logo really helps to make it stand out. I had some of the same issues with the corners having a crease but I went back over it with some heat and worked them out with my finger and now they are gone. I think I am going to order another on for my iPad 1 and my MacBook pro in the near future, great product!!
I ordered my icarbons skin on Monday and it got here Thursday, I live in Florida so it does not have that far to travel but it was processed quickly delivered much faster than I expected. Before installing I watched the video they posted online before and it helped out a lot, especially with the corners. I have to say that it is one of the easiest skins I have ever put on the iPad and the contrasting apple logo really helps to make it stand out. I had some of the same issues with the corners having a crease but I went back over it with some heat and worked them out with my finger and now they are gone. I think I am going to order another on for my iPad 1 and my MacBook pro in the near future, great product!!
Last edited:
I'm in the same boat - ordered Monday PM, shipping notice received Tuesday afternoon, hoping the product arrives today.
Not disappointed; just excited. Ready to get some protection on the back of this iPad!
Hey Josh. It's great to see you posting here! I LOVE the skin. It completely alleviates my nervousness about scratching the back of the ipad.
My only concern is, today I received a smart cover, and I noticed that when it's being propped up in portrait mode, if any downward pressure is applied, it slides right off the magnetic latch, dropping the ipad. Have you thought about offering a skin with a cutout for the smart cover? It looks like you'd only have to remove about 1/8th of an inch of material. If I had gotten the smart cover first, I probably would have done that before applying it. Also, the skin seems to allow a slight amount of left to right play in the smart covers hinge, and it often is about 1/16th of an inch out of alignment top to bottom.
Otherwise guys, an excellent product.
Soon as I get another product you make covers for, I'll be ordering again!
My only concern is, today I received a smart cover, and I noticed that when it's being propped up in portrait mode, if any downward pressure is applied, it slides right off the magnetic latch, dropping the ipad. Have you thought about offering a skin with a cutout for the smart cover? It looks like you'd only have to remove about 1/8th of an inch of material. If I had gotten the smart cover first, I probably would have done that before applying it. Also, the skin seems to allow a slight amount of left to right play in the smart covers hinge, and it often is about 1/16th of an inch out of alignment top to bottom.
Otherwise guys, an excellent product.
Soon as I get another product you make covers for, I'll be ordering again!
Wow! Thats all I can say after putting on the White carbon fiber skin from iCarbons onto my iPad. It looks stunning! 
The white looks absolutely amazing on the white iPad. The color is spot on and the entire iPad blends into one. The feel of the skin is also great. I feel more comfortable holding it in my hand as the skin has a nice feel to it.
The install was super easy. Just watch the install video on their website and you shouldn't have any problems. The corners took a little while to do but I took my time to get them just right and they turned out great.
I was actually going to be making my own skin, but wanted to see how well the iCarbons fit on there before doing so. Glad to say it fits excellent and better than I thought so I will be sticking to this skin.
I am also very happy with iCarbons service! They were very fast in shipping out my skin and it got to me in a 2 days! Overall, I am 100% happy, thank you iCarbons!
*** For those that are wondering why theirs hasn't shipped yet, for some reason the package wasn't scanned until it got to the sort facility in my town. So even if it says something like "information received" and doesn't update doesn't mean it is not on its way to you. (at least that was the case for me anyway) ***
The white looks absolutely amazing on the white iPad. The color is spot on and the entire iPad blends into one. The feel of the skin is also great. I feel more comfortable holding it in my hand as the skin has a nice feel to it.
The install was super easy. Just watch the install video on their website and you shouldn't have any problems. The corners took a little while to do but I took my time to get them just right and they turned out great.
I was actually going to be making my own skin, but wanted to see how well the iCarbons fit on there before doing so. Glad to say it fits excellent and better than I thought so I will be sticking to this skin.
I am also very happy with iCarbons service! They were very fast in shipping out my skin and it got to me in a 2 days! Overall, I am 100% happy, thank you iCarbons!
*** For those that are wondering why theirs hasn't shipped yet, for some reason the package wasn't scanned until it got to the sort facility in my town. So even if it says something like "information received" and doesn't update doesn't mean it is not on its way to you. (at least that was the case for me anyway) ***
Attachments
I got my skin today! Yay!!
Mine turned out great, except the corners. The corners have little ridges in them where they just don't lay flat. Is there a workaround for this? (more heat/lay them down again?)
If not, maybe I'll just see if I can deal with it for a while, then contact iCarbons as a last resort.
Hoping they'll survive a re-heat. Or maybe I did too much heat, but I doubt that.
Mine turned out great, except the corners. The corners have little ridges in them where they just don't lay flat. Is there a workaround for this? (more heat/lay them down again?)
If not, maybe I'll just see if I can deal with it for a while, then contact iCarbons as a last resort.
Hoping they'll survive a re-heat. Or maybe I did too much heat, but I doubt that.
I would just leave them. I tried the extra heat to lift my corners and reseat them, but I used too much heat and started to mess up the material a little and actually removed the sticky on part of it.
iCarbons is taking care of me though, nice company.
My suggestion. Only use low heat mode on your hair dryer. If its too hot for your hand to be in there, its too hot.
Josh - GR8 product really enjoying the Black Carbon Back, so now I need to pick up two add'l Backs; one for the Mrs. & the other for our daughter. So any discount/coupon codes for loyal MacRumors Forums members?
Got my iCarbons black carbon fiber back today and just installed it.
The corners were pretty tricky. you could tell the guy putting on the skin in the video had experience (just a little haha) This was my first skin install and the corners did not go well at all. It took a couple of times and they still have a little crease in them. Oh well. Overall I'm happy with the quality and look and would recommend this skin.
The corners were pretty tricky. you could tell the guy putting on the skin in the video had experience (just a little haha) This was my first skin install and the corners did not go well at all. It took a couple of times and they still have a little crease in them. Oh well. Overall I'm happy with the quality and look and would recommend this skin.
Low setting on your hairdryer. If you have a button for "cool" air use it and alternate between cool n hot and don't linger around for too long, once the corner starts to go limp a bit use the palm of your hand to press down on the corner, this lets the entire corner go down at the same time rather than having a bit stick down and having to possibly pull it back up and repositioning. Pull your palm away, check your work and if everything looks right, run over it with the hairdryer real quickly and use your palm again, pushing it down firmer and hold that corner in your palm. rinse and repeat on the other 3 remaining corners.
iCarbons is so beatuiful, except... no microSIM slot open 。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡
Got mine also.
Everything is so beatuiful, except this: 。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡
iCarbons doesn't have a skin for AT&T 3G model, therefore there is no microSIM cutoff on the skin. (T△T)
I have to cut it myself and I did it so UGLY ~~~~
***
Anyway,
Here are the rest of nice looking skin photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tohru/sets/72157626228062917/
Got mine also.
Everything is so beatuiful, except this: 。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡
iCarbons doesn't have a skin for AT&T 3G model, therefore there is no microSIM cutoff on the skin. (T△T)
I have to cut it myself and I did it so UGLY ~~~~
***
Anyway,
Here are the rest of nice looking skin photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tohru/sets/72157626228062917/
Got mine also.
Everything is so beatuiful, except this: 。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡
iCarbons doesn't have a skin for AT&T 3G model, therefore there is no microSIM cutoff on the skin. (T△T)
I have to cut it myself and I did it so UGLY ~~~~
Yikes on the cut job
One question, why do you need to have access to the sim port?
I have to say that even with my crease-y corners, I still like the skin a lot and would not hesitate to buy another. I do wish I'd done a better job, but they're not /horrible/. I just got a black smart cover to match the black back - and I have to say I'm a pretty big fan of the whole package!