Review of NLU BodyGuardz for iPhone 3G

[meagain]

Well, My install was a complete nightmare. I swear I worked it for hourS. Corners are a biatch. In the end, I have 2 opposing corners with little those little crimps. Could not get them to lay down for anything and they popped up over night again. I'm going to cut them off.

More disturbingly, there are divots in the back here & there. Round dents and also what looks like a fingernail indent. I did not put them there & they are not coming out. Looks bad. Very puzzling.

Considering trying IS on my 2nd phone despite it clearly won't cover the bezel well. It seems thicker to me. Might even cut the bezel part from the BodyGuardz to use and create my own thing.
I found IS to be very easy to install on my Air, very moveable. BodyGuardz despite being drench just seemed to immediately cling to the phone to where I had to lift it off a few times vs. sliding it around.

Only install when you have TONS of time, lots of light, in a good/relaxed mood. Lots of patience.

I want a spray on product.

 

[Donz0r]

Well, My install was a complete nightmare. I swear I worked it for hourS. Corners are a biatch. In the end, I have 2 opposing corners with little those little crimps. Could not get them to lay down for anything and they popped up over night again. I'm going to cut them off.

More disturbingly, there are divots in the back here & there. Round dents and also what looks like a fingernail indent. I did not put them there & they are not coming out. Looks bad. Very puzzling.

Considering trying IS on my 2nd phone despite it clearly won't cover the bezel well. It seems thicker to me. Might even cut the bezel part from the BodyGuardz to use and create my own thing.
I found IS to be very easy to install on my Air, very moveable. BodyGuardz despite being drench just seemed to immediately cling to the phone to where I had to lift it off a few times vs. sliding it around.

Only install when you have TONS of time, lots of light, in a good/relaxed mood. Lots of patience.

I want a spray on product.

I could slide my BodyGuardz around pretty easily after it had been put on. The bodyguardz installation took about 40 minutes or so to get perfect for me, but I think I stretched the film a little while taking the backing off because although the top half of it is perfectly lined up, the bottom part is just barely off a tiny bit, just enough to make the bottom corners crimp up, although it's hardly noticeable, I'll be trying again using the 2nd skin.

This is not that hard to get on right, just make sure taht everything's dust free and line up the CAMERA HOLE and the VOLUME ROCKER, i found that to be easiest. I didn't use a squeege or anything really, the water bubbles taht were left went away after a couple days, it looks great now!

 

[redcupr]

Hey all,

After reading this review I ordered up the Bodyguardz cover for my 3G. It was in my mailbox two days later. I put the screen cover on right away, so easy, and it looks soooo good. No more worries about scratching the glass.

I waited until this past weekend to put the back cover on, the curves just scared the ___ out of me.

I tackled it last night and I'll give myself an 8 on a scale of 10 as far as my install. I ended up with a couple water bubbles on the back (hoping they go away over the next few days), and a small crimp up by the sleep/wake switch. I may take an XActo knife to it when my hands are feeling steady.

Thanks to everyone for they're posts and review, I almost orded the Ghost Armor, ack!

 

[pflau]

I may take an XActo knife to it when my hands are feeling steady.

To all those people who mentioned using a knife to trim the corners... aren't you afraid of the knife cutting the back???

 

[Cross2]

I've gone through 3 back pieces and noticed that the corners are quite defective. No matter how well I set it, a bubble would appear. I've tried palming, blow drying, and rubber banding, nothing works to keep the corners down.

 

[pflau]

I've gone through 3 back pieces and noticed that the corners are quite defective. No matter how well I set it, a bubble would appear. I've tried palming, blow drying, and rubber banding, nothing works to keep the corners down.

That is why I am trying slitting. It is still work in progress as I am experimenting on a used piece (yes you can reuse them and no they do not stretch if you take them off) and see how it turns out before I put one on permanently.

The slittingI'm doing is.. think of the joker's lips. I'm essentially giving the film more room to breath by making the corners deeper.

 

[netjack]

what is the post-it trick I keep reading about?

thx

 

[thor79]

Sorry...I've heard of the post-it trick but I have no idea what it is...like you.

Here's some of mine own tips though for applying any of the invisible skins.

In my experience it's best just to ditch the bottled solution and make up your own batch of solution with water and dawn dish soap (or another mild dish soap or baby shampoo as they suggest). I got a cereal bowl full of RO (reverse osmosis) water and put in just a little bit of dawn. Mix it up and let it sit until most or all of the small amount of suds disppear (you shouldn't have much in the way of suds...if you do...do it again, you added too much soap). To do the job properly you need more solution than they provide. In my experience I would have to use up the entire bottle provided with the bodyguardz kit to do one backing properly...and even that probably wouldn't do the job I bet.

Use that solution for your hands (in a bowl makes it easier) to ensure you hands are wet.

When applying the skins...no matter what skin you have...dunk the entire skin in the solution so it's entirely wet. Shake off as much extra solution as you can (make sure it's still wet though). Whenever you have even the slightest hint of dryness on your fingers dunk them again to make sure you don't leave finger prints.

You may have extra water to deal with (shouldn't be too much extra) but the the end result turns out better and it makes the skin easier to apply. I originally tried the BodyGuardz kit and screwed up with fingerprints on both of them...running out of solution on the second backing....which means lots of fingerprints. Since I simply threw the skins in the trash instead of holding onto them I couldn't get my money back..but whatever...my mistake. I went with BSE instead due to their 2 piece back and had a much easier time. I think mostly due to the 2 pieces (easier to position a smaller piece, but you have a seam on the back some may not like) and due to the solution I had to mix up since they don't provide it with the skins. IMO it's better just to make up your own solution...just don't go crazy with the soap you add. I used RO water to make sure no minerals from tap water were left...seeing how I'm on a well sometimes the iron levels can be a bit much.

 

[pflau]

When applying the skins...no matter what skin you have...dunk the entire skin in the solution so it's entirely wet. Shake off as much extra solution as you can (make sure it's still wet though).

Dunking has the benefit of cleansing the skin. A sponge can be used to soak up extra water. A sponge is lintless.

 

[netjack]

is the black cloth the comes w/ the iphone considered a lint free cloth?

 

[Blown01NJ]

Are all of you guys using these skins as a replacement for a normal case, or just a suppliment?

 

[geraldo]

By the way, I challenge anyone to get theirs applied as well as I did.

You aren't kidding! I went through 3 tries before I got mine mostly right -- and I've documented my embarrassing results!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geraldoh
I tend to agree with one who said starting at the mute and volume buttons might be part of the trick to better alignment. I agree with the hair dryer use -- if you let it dry naturally, the film doesn't appear to be soften enough or be sticky enough to lie down complete flat on the corners. My rear corners (apart from one) are in no shape or form as nicely done as yours.

The good part is that with the lifetime bodyguardz warranty, I'll eventually do this again -- hopefully with much superior results around the corners. For the record, I don't use a case, it just goes into my pocket. However, for the few times when it goes into a laptop bag (airport security), I either use an Incipio leather case, or just slip the iPhone into a microfiber pouch. And yes, this is _definitely_ one of the more difficult and frustrating things I've done in recent memory! But, my imperfect results aside, I think film is definitely the way to go.

 

[meagain]

Are all of you guys using these skins as a replacement for a normal case, or just a suppliment?

Using the skin AS a case. Using old 2g Incase Rubber case or similar cheaper case for when I'm in a rambunctious situation - gardening, concert, etc. etc. over the skin.

 

[JajoPGH]

I tried my second back application last night. I made my own solution and dipped the skin. It came out great except two corners where there are 2 minute wrinkles. I want to get bodyguards for my brothers white iPhone but I want to make a small incision in the film at the corners. Maybe then it won't wrinkle

 

[Cross2]

Has anyone been able to perfectly align the corners to avoid bubbles? After a week, I noticed a few more bubbles forming around the corners. Any advice on fixing this would be great.

 

[HaroldC]

Finally got up the nerve to rip my first one off and try the second one. (first one was too close to the power switch and was pulled up)

Did the same full soak in homemade solution and got the alignment perfect! Corners stayed down after letting them dry a bit and pressing/palming for a min or two on each one. (that's the key - to let it dry enough and then press/palm/hold)

The only bummer - just have a few bubbles, but they're liquid not air. I'm hoping that they'll disappear after a day or so. Funny thing is that I didn't get them on the first one I did, oh well. I hope they disappear........

btw - instead of doing this in the bathroom with the shower on, I did this in a room that was air conditioned, thus low humidity. It allows the film to dry faster and thus tackier, making the corners easier.

 

[pflau]

Finally got up the nerve to rip my first one off and try the second one. (first one was too close to the power switch and was pulled up)

Common error. For others reading this again you must check and double check all the switches to make sure they clear the film.

The only bummer - just have a few bubbles, but they're liquid not air. I'm hoping that they'll disappear after a day or so. Funny thing is that I didn't get them on the first one I did, oh well. I hope they disappear........

As long as they are liquid you are OK. Just give them two days.

btw - instead of doing this in the bathroom with the shower on, I did this in a room that was air conditioned, thus low humidity. It allows the film to dry faster and thus tackier, making the corners easier.

The reason to do it in the bathroom is to avoid having dusts trapped beneath the film. Once the film is on properly you can take the whole thing out of the bathroom to dry.

 

[adamerr]

threw my bodyguardz on.
i like it so far.


then i noticed a fibre underneath the bodyguardz on the screen.
and im like

ah well.
its not that bad.

 

[pflau]

threw my bodyguardz on.
i like it so far.


then i noticed a fibre underneath the bodyguardz on the screen.
and im like

ah well.
its not that bad.

You just wet your fingers and the backsheet. Use the backsheet to lift up skin, all the time keeping the underside of the skin wet, and use your fingernail to scratch off the fiber. reapply the skin and make sure there is enough solution under the skin to drive out all the air.

You just lift the part of the screen closest to the fiber. You don't remove the entire skin so there is no repositioning. It's a simple matter. Do it in a steamy bathroom so you don't get more lint underneath while you try to remove what's already there.

 

[Espo]

Im returning bodyguards because the back plastic is absolutely horrible. The corners never stay down and dust/lint gets stuck in there... I wouldve liked it to work though.

 

[jen4t25]

I put my BG on about a week ago. After the 2nd or 3rd day all the bubbles were gone & the screen is clear & I'm not really noticing any probs with the touch screen. I didn't line it up the greatest so the corners look bad & all lint & stuff got stuck underneath so on a white phone it really sticks out. I still have the 2nd one & I'm a bit nervous to rip this one off, afraid it will look worse (if that's possible). It doesn't seem like it *completely* covers the chrome part & I don't think it was me because one side seems like it is good but the other has a big gap...who know, it probably was me.
Sorry for the bad pics, hope they come out, I never posted here before.

 

[adamerr]

I put my BG on about a week ago. After the 2nd or 3rd day all the bubbles were gone & the screen is clear & I'm not really noticing any probs with the touch screen. I didn't line it up the greatest so the corners look bad & all lint & stuff got stuck underneath so on a white phone it really sticks out. I still have the 2nd one & I'm a bit nervous to rip this one off, afraid it will look worse (if that's possible). It doesn't seem like it *completely* covers the chrome part & I don't think it was me because one side seems like it is good but the other has a big gap...who know, it probably was me.
Sorry for the bad pics, hope they come out, I never posted here before.

i botched mine as well.
dont worry, all though im glad i got the black iPhone as the dust/lint doesnt show up as well.

and no, on one side of mine it doesnt cover the entire chrome part...
wonder why....

 

[cambridge1807]

I just installed my 2nd set because I wasn't happy with my first install. For the front, I had dust and lint in the middle of the screen and it got really annoying when I would be on a white page like browsing this forum. It's drying right now, so I'll try to add my pictures tomorrow. The back took more time, but I'd highly recommend using a blow dryer to help on the corners. It dries up the solution and gets the film sticky, which makes it easier to stick. I'm pretty satisfied with my second try though. First set, got the top 2 corners to stick with the bottom 2 lifting a bit, accumulating lint from pocket. Second try, I got all corners to stick with ease, but 1 corner has a little mishap. Fixed it with an x-acto knife and nail clipper to trim the excess. I will post pictures tomorrow when they dry to show how well the fitment is, when installed correctly.

 

[netjack]

does the sticky/adhesive residue eventually disappear? There seems to be some white residue on the edges of my front shield. I hope I don't have to peel it off at that edge and wet it down to get rid of it. It's only been on for a couple hours.

Thx

 

[netjack]

plz delete