Thinking of an InvisibleShield-type shield? DON'T!

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peestandingup

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2006
248
0
Got my full body clear shield in today from Phantom Shield. Here was my email back to them:

Just received my order for the full body shield for the iPad. I just wanted to let you guys know that I've installed probably a dozen of these types of shields (including a couple of your brand as well) & this one has a major issue that you should remedy.

The problem is, that rubbery squeegee device you include. It makes TERRIBLE scratches to the shield once its applied. And I'm not talking a scratch here, a scratch there. No, these are big swirling scratches that are very noticeable (and yes, the squeegee was completely clean, and yes, I wet everything regularly). After I applied the front portion then pushed the bubbles out, I noticed the scratches, but it was already too late. The damage to the shield was done. It looked awful so I ended up taking it off.

I would like a refund, but I know your policy is to return the shield first, which is understandable, but that would cost me shipping (even more since its a bigger shield). So since that means I'd be out even more on this product & only get back probably half of what I originally paid after paying to ship it back (which isnt even worth it by then), Im just chucking the thing & it'll be my loss I guess.

Anyways, just wanted you guys to be aware of what this thing does to your shields. I'd seriously stop shipping them with it. Thanks.
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Let me also tell you guys something else. Like I said, Im not a novice at installing these shields at all, but the other problem for the ones for the iPad is that because of the sheer size of the front & back, the shield pieces are massive as well. So that means its almost IMPOSSIBLE to install it correctly since the individual pieces are so big.

What ends up happening is, the shield starts falling onto/sticking to itself when you're lining it up because its heavy with water solution. Then, the size (again) makes it hard as ever-lovin' hell to get it centered straight after it is on. And you cant move it around as freely while its on the device (again, cause the size is so big) like you can with the ones for smaller phone-like devices. It just doesnt want to move freely, even if its drenched with water solution. So you end up ripping it off & trying again..and again...and again...till finally you realize its just not working & you've probably put as much water on your iPad as you'd like. And also the shield ends up being less sticky after soaking it again & again & again.

Seriously guys, just stay away. Its not worth the trouble or price. Plus, the iPad is pretty scratch-resistant anyway.
 

iCheddar

iCheddar

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2007
662
12
South Dakota
How is installing it on a bigger device more difficult?

I had not trouble at all putting a BSE skin on my Macbook Pro.
 
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peestandingup

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2006
248
0
iCheddar said:
How is installing it on a bigger device more difficult?

I had not trouble at all putting a BSE skin on my Macbook Pro.
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Thats probably because your Macbook Pro is all flat. The front of the iPad wasnt that bad (I explained what happened with it) since its flat. But since the back of the iPad is in sorta a "bubble" shape & isnt flat anywhere except around the center, its a real PITA to get it on there straight without getting it uneven with hangovers on the edges, etc.

But you all can try it. You may have better luck than me. But like I said, I've installed probably a dozen shields in my day & this one was a real bear.
 
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mbell75

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2007
489
0
Had a girl put an invisible shield on my screen today in 10 minutes, looks great. I would recommend you have someone who knows what they are doing put them on.
 
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guycross

macrumors member
Mar 18, 2010
71
0
London
mbell75 said:
Had a girl put an invisible shield on my screen today in 10 minutes, looks great. I would recommend you have someone who knows what they are doing put them on.
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Do I need to find a specific girl? Or will any girl be able to do it?
 
Ljohnson72

Ljohnson72

macrumors 6502a
Dec 21, 2008
733
2
Denver, Co
Can you take a picture of the squeegee they sent you? When I installed mine the squeegee worked fine, its a nice easily bendable plastic. I don't see how you could have gotten such bad scratches? Did you spray the exterior of the shield when squeegeeing it to act as a lubricant? Odd...

On a side note, using a blowdryer on the curves and corners makes it stick and dry much quicker.


Edit: thought you meant the actual Invisible Shield by ZAGG, my mistake.
 
P

peestandingup

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2006
248
0
mbell75 said:
Had a girl put an invisible shield on my screen today in 10 minutes, looks great. I would recommend you have someone who knows what they are doing put them on.
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Yeah, all for the low low price of $50, for a thin piece of plastic. Sorry man, that's just insane.

And I guess I'd be good at it too if that was my job & I did it day in day out. I'm just warning people who try to do it on their own, even people who have done it many times before on other smaller devices. And especially the "squeegee" issue with Phantom Skinz. Take my advice or don't.

I didn't have to come here to post this guys. I just love how you try to help people & get "FAIL" & other childish sh*t. What are you guys? Twelve years old?
 
C

Canedrive

macrumors member
Apr 5, 2010
30
0
I think most of these shields are a waste of time, and just detract from the countless hours put into the design and feel of the product.

Other than a decent carry case for transportation, I don't see the need for added protection. Look after your gear and it will look after you... ;)
 
gwynne

gwynne

macrumors 68000
Mar 11, 2010
1,816
8
I assume there's a reason apple stopped stocking this kind of product. My last iPhone did fine for 2.5 years without a piece of plastic glued to the front, I think people underestimate the toughness of the screen. Didn't one of the tech blogs recently try to scratch the screen with a nail and fail to do so?
 

mrgreen4242

mrgreen4242

macrumors 601
Feb 10, 2004
4,355
1
gwynne said:
I assume there's a reason apple stopped stocking this kind of product. My last iPhone did fine for 2.5 years without a piece of plastic glued to the front, I think people underestimate the toughness of the screen. Didn't one of the tech blogs recently try to scratch the screen with a nail and fail to do so?
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I think people overestimate the toughness of the screen. I spent three years with no shield on an iPod touch and it got scratches on the screen. Metal won't mar the glass, but sand will. Get a single grain of sand onto the glass and then anything rub against it and you will get scratches.

As for the OP... well, all I can say is people have been putting this type of skin on large items for years without problems. Did you let the skin dry overnight after installing it? Most of those scratches would have "healed" given a little time. If you really had installed these before you should have seen them appear on most of the other items you have used, and known that this type of skin "heals" given a little time.
 
silverblack

silverblack

macrumors 68030
Nov 27, 2007
2,672
821
I use invisible shield by zagg. The squeegee they include is a soft rubber piece that will never scratch the film. I had no problem putting it on my iPad, and no problem when I put it on my Macbook air a couple of years ago (which was a much bigger piece). My advice is to find your own squeegee, even a credit card would work.

By the way, I only applied the back film on my iPad. I agree the front is not necessary, but the aluminum on the back is easily scratchable, and I don't like putting on a case. It adds too much bulkiness, and even more so kills the look and feel of the beautiful iPad.
 
gwynne

gwynne

macrumors 68000
Mar 11, 2010
1,816
8
I guess I'm never in a situation where sand would be rubbing against my devices. Just goes to show YMMV, I guess.
 
mrgreen4242

mrgreen4242

macrumors 601
Feb 10, 2004
4,355
1
gwynne said:
I guess I'm never in a situation where sand would be rubbing against my devices. Just goes to show YMMV, I guess.
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Do you use a case with a flap that covers the screen (like the Apple case)? Do you put said case in a bag? A little tiny sand from anywhere (beach, obviously, somewhere concrete is being mixed, etc) falling into your bag, then gets between the screen and the cover flap, the flap shifts a little back and forth while you walk, and boom, scratch.

It'll happen to lots and lots of people.
 
azboricua

azboricua

macrumors 6502a
Aug 5, 2009
559
0
Arizona
I installed my invisibleshield on my ipad just fine. This the same exact reason apple is not gonna sell these anymore. Too many people mess up and for some reason feel they should be able to return it.
 
AJsAWiz

AJsAWiz

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2007
3,252
342
Ohio
gwynne said:
I assume there's a reason apple stopped stocking this kind of product. My last iPhone did fine for 2.5 years without a piece of plastic glued to the front, I think people underestimate the toughness of the screen. Didn't one of the tech blogs recently try to scratch the screen with a nail and fail to do so?
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After seeing :apple: pull those screen protectors I decided to pull mine from my iPhone. Glad I did. What I found, upon removal, was a small amount of residue. It was a goos quality protector too. The residue came off but this was enough to convince me to go naked on my screens for the iPhone and iPad. I'll just keep them in cases when not in use and let common sense prevail when using them :)
 

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