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What's the advantage of wet install skins?

Domino8282

Domino8282

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 22, 2010
983
196
Southeast USA
As I wait for my phone to arrive Monday, I'm still debating what to do for protection. I've decided I really want to protect my investment (full-body), and need something to complement the bumper.

It keeps coming back to the same question: What's the advantage of a wet install skin such as BSE or Zagg over the dry install films such as PS or SGP?

More protection? Do PS/SGP films protect well against scratches? I'm not planning to beat the crap out of my phone, but I'd like it to be relatively immune to things like keys in my pocket, and maybe an accidental drop (say in a parking lot onto concrete, once or twice a year).

Personally, I think I'm willing to deal with orange peeling if it means superior protection. On the other hand, if I can get the protection I want from a PS/SGP film, then maybe there's no point.

Finally: From what I've read, PS sounds awesome, but I don't want to leave my phone unprotected until the end of the month. To those using SGP, do you feel like the lack of camera cutout is a major problem? Is there a camera cutout on either side, or neither?

Honestly, I can't decide between SGP front and BSE rear (only because SGP is available right now), or a Zagg professional install at my local mall (for maximum protection and because I'm sure I would screw up a wet full-body install).
 
My 2c

Dry (shield):
+ Clearer, no orange peel
+ Don't need to use water
+ Less time required to install, set etc
- May be less durable than a skin
- May scratch easier

Wet (skin):
+ May be more durable
- Can be difficult to install for first timers
- Needs time to set, "heal"
- Generally orange peel, texture

There's no right or wrong answer, its just personal preference and other factors such as timing/availability and cost come into play.

Personally, I've ordered the following:
- SGP EX Crystal full body
- BSE backs
- SGP Oleophobiclkjasdflkjsfd whatever it is fronts
(and may try the PS shields when they come out)

Call me OTT, but you wont know until you try. iPhone will cost me over $1k in NZ, so might as well have the best...

My advice: Try for the SGP EX full body and if you don't like it get the BSE (BSE are a great product, and cheap). Stay away from Zagg...

Hope this helps.
 
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4 (32GB): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

grapes911 said:
I like the wet screen protectors because I can "slide" them into place easier than dry ones. Dry ones tend to be more like stickers.
Click to expand...

+1

Wet install skins are MUCH easier to install without air bubbles, dust, etc. I have a lot of experience with both types, dating back to my 20GB iPod (2002/3, IIRC), and for perfect installs, it's wet all the way!
 
sm0 said:
Dry (shield):
+ Clearer, no orange peel
+ Don't need to use water
+ Less time required to install, set etc
- May be less durable than a skin
- May scratch easier

Wet (skin):
+ May be more durable
- Can be difficult to install for first timers
- Needs time to set, "heal"
- Generally orange peel, texture

There's no right or wrong answer, its just personal preference and other factors such as timing/availability and cost come into play.

Personally, I've ordered the following:
- SGP EX Crystal full body
- BSE backs
- SGP Oleophobiclkjasdflkjsfd whatever it is fronts
(and may try the PS shields when they come out)

Call me OTT, but you wont know until you try. iPhone will cost me over $1k in NZ, so might as well have the best...

My advice: Try for the SGP EX full body and if you don't like it get the BSE (BSE are a great product, and cheap). Stay away from Zagg...

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Great overview and comparison, except I can say for a fact that Zagg, Wrapsol, Ghost Armor, BSE, etc... all will be stronger than the "shield" type protectors because the material is "self-healing" (you can scratch it and it will go away) rather than just a plastic or hard material.
 
Zagg or wet install are easier last longer and stronger and if you mess up return it to zagg and they will replace it for free. They do feel rubbery I like it some don't my wife doesn't notice.
 
jrlepage said:
It keeps coming back to the same question: What's the advantage of a wet install skin such as BSE or Zagg over the dry install films such as PS or SGP?
Click to expand...

Dry - harder to apply, may end up with bubbles, wrinkles creases.

Wet - Easier to apply, may trap air or water and cause bubbles, may apply too much water and trigger a water detection sticker in the device which would make warranty claims an issue.
 
I prefer the dry over wet and dry is not that hard to put on. Although it's suppose to go on dry, I wet mine with little water and it goes on real easy and I'm able to push the air bubbles out. If I mess up, I take it off, rinse it with tap water and try again just like the wet. I like the durability of the wet but don't like way they look and feel.

Oh and I'm using Clarivue screen protectors.
 
lorenwade said:
How so? Mind sharing why? I find them difficult because they catch dust and dirt, whereas the wet can be washed and reapplied. *shrug*
Click to expand...

if they do, simply lift it back up and remove the dust. the wet seem harder to me. you have to use a solution, have to worry about finger prints on the tacky side, have to let them set up for 24 hours. I just have a harder time with the install of the wet for some reason. I can throw on a dry in a semi dustless env in a couple of minutes
 
mavis said:
Wet install skins are MUCH easier to install without air bubbles, dust, etc. I have a lot of experience with both types, dating back to my 20GB iPod (2002/3, IIRC), and for perfect installs, it's wet all the way!
Click to expand...

Interesting, I feel exactly the opposite. Much easier to get a clean install on a dry protector. I also have a lot of experience with both types across ipods and various phones going back to my 20GB ipod as well.

Just goes to show that it depends on the individual preferences.
 
onep00nis said:
Oh and I'm using Clarivue screen protectors.
Click to expand...

Clarivue is good. Boxwave also.

Another thing with the wet skins is that the edges will collect dirt over time. Not so much on the screen side as with the pieces on the body.

On the other hand the dry versions don't work on compound curves, so you couldn't use them for something like the back of a 3GS.


I don't think you can categorically say one style is better than the other. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages -- which works best for someone depends on his/her own preferences.
 
It's all personal preference.

ZAGG type overlays (WET) are generally easier to reposition because the wet application allows you to float the overlay into position. But there is the issue of letting these set to cure, which is a negative for me.

PowerSupport type overlays (DRY) in general are harder to line up because once the overlay touches glass you can't slide or float it into position. But you can use the wet method to apply these overlays. Also no cure time, good to go once on. I prefer this type of overlay.

GelaSkin type overlays (Adhesive Decals) are the most forgiving because they are basically a print with an adhesive backing. These are not clear plastic or clear vinyl so if you do get the occasional bubble, it's less visible. You can apply these overlays wet. As a matter of fact, to line them up on the first try, using the wet method is the best way to apply these overlays.

For me, applying any type over overlay (ZAGG, PowerSupport, GelaSkin) is made easier using the wet method.
 
I just got through installing BSE on my iPhone 3GS. They're a great product for their price. I've never done one before, and it was a pain. (I'm sure it would be easier with iPhone 4 because of flat back) If you squeeze water out of the side (not near headphone or dock) you'll be fine with the water sensor. I got a few bubbles, and some soap bubbles from the soapy water, but I'm sure it'll go away within a few days.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

I pre ordered the power support SP. Do u think I should try to get the genus bar to install it or do it myself. I never did it before. I am anal with it going on well. I hate my zagg. It has dust on it. I just wonder if the genius bar guy would put it on quick and not care about it looking good. I am nervous I woul mess it up.
 
Wow thanks for all the great information and advice... Knowing me, I'll probably have to try several things before I find something I'm happy with. Now I have some good info to base my decision on.
 
TroyBoy30 said:
if they do, simply lift it back up and remove the dust. the wet seem harder to me. you have to use a solution, have to worry about finger prints on the tacky side, have to let them set up for 24 hours. I just have a harder time with the install of the wet for some reason. I can throw on a dry in a semi dustless env in a couple of minutes
Click to expand...

Well, if they work better for you, that's great! I have a hard time removing the dust from sticky dry installs and find it easy removing fingerprints from wet installs... :) To each their own!
 
frozencarbonite said:
Put a cheap screen protector on and wait for Power Support Crystal to come out July 26th.
Click to expand...

that's why i did but I'm waiting on the PS full body kit. they don't know a release date though

currently i'm using the back plastic from out the box and a ps shield i had left over from my 3gs
 
lorenwade said:
Other similar companies do not. Depends on which site you buy from.
Click to expand...
The major ones do (Zagg and Bodyguardz) and the message from the poster was specifically about Zagg.

Considering they just need a 47c (or whatever it is) stamp and they probably cost them about 2cents worth of materiel to manufacture once they have the die, it's a rip off to pay any shipping for a "warranty" replacement.

Zagg or wet install are easier last longer and stronger and if you mess up return it to zagg and they will replace it for free.
Click to expand...
 
lorenwade said:
Well, if they work better for you, that's great! I have a hard time removing the dust from sticky dry installs and find it easy removing fingerprints from wet installs... :) To each their own!
Click to expand...

I have done many of both also and I would give a slight advantage to the dry install. I can peel the backing off and at the same time start to apply the shield and continue to pull the backing and the shield just falls into place. The force of me pulling the backing and using my finger to slide across the shield leads to no bubbles. I was really impressed the 1st time I did one.

IMO, if you can make a wet install look good, a dry one will be easy. Minus dust getting caught cause that can be a pain.
 
Can anyone who had an SGP or PS film on a previous device comment on how well it protected their screen from scratches over time? If someone used one and took it off to find scratches, then I'd be more inclined to just skin the whole device.

Still bouncing back and forth between these options:
Zagg full-body pro-install (b/c I don't trust myself)
SGP/PS front and Zagg back pro-install
SGP/PS front and BSE back self-install

Obviously the last choice (or a BSE full body self-install) would be cheapest. But it seems like for good protection and guaranteeing that I don't do an awful job, the first option is best. Argh!

Obsessing more over this than I was over checking my order status last week...
 
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