Hey Bill Gates can you create a tutorial and/or post picture of your installment would be really helpful. Thanks. I am going to be putting the tape on the sides (masking tape) with napkins around the middle part. I want to avoid putting on too much liquid and damaging the laptop so how much are you putting on to be effective enough to get the job done right but not over do it. Like how many sprays approximate?
Please read the following in its ENTIRETY before starting work. Feel free to ask me any questions and I may update the guide to clarify it for you.
I recommend working in the least-dusty room possible, with adequate ventilation and lighting. I usually resort to using a bathroom with the fan on, since the ShieldSpray solution nauseates me somewhat, although it's supposedly non-toxic. Also have a thin towel or cloth under the computer to soak up the ShieldSpray that will leak out as you are applying the InvisibleShield. Also, for any pieces that have holes or other openings, be sure to remove the material from the holes before removing the shield from the backing. It's much easier if you do it this way. Also, all of my previous MacBook Pros all had removable batteries and so I opted to take out the battery before starting work. If you have this option, I suggest you do this too. Otherwise, just be sure that the computer is completely powered off. I will probably remove the battery from my new MacBook Pro when it arrives, even though it is somewhat of a pain to do so.
Start by getting a roll of tape. I recommend either electrical tape, which is what I've used in the past, or masking tape. Scotch tape is probably the least preferred type. Take one long piece and cover all the ports on the left side. Take another piece and cover both the optical drive and the kensington lock slot. Then take one last piece and cover the opening at the back of the computer.
Open up the InvisibleShield package if you haven't already and lay the pieces out on the floor. Next, wash your hands thoroughly. The drier your hands the better, referring specifically to oils, not water. Take the piece that goes on the back of the screen and remove it from the sheet. Next, spray your fingertips with ShieldSpray and proceed to remove the shield from the backing at one corner. Every time you expose a little of the shield spray it several times (2-3) with ShieldSpray to ensure that all exposed parts remain wet. If dry pieces touch one another it will be impossible to separate them without damaging the shield. Once you have removed the entire piece from the backing, discard the backing and ensure that the entire sticky side of the shield is wet.
Now apply the shield to the computer. I usually line up the top edge and then the sides before slowly applying the rest of the shield with a rolling motion, so that the parts of the shield closest to you are applied before the parts farthest away. This will reduce the amount of air trapped beneath it. Try to line it up as best as you can WITHOUT stretching it. If there are any exposed areas of the computer you can will be able stretch the shield out somewhat as you are squeegeeing out the ShieldSpray from between the computer and the shield.
After the shield is resting on the computer, mist the top with ShieldSpray. You don't need to soak it this time; just apply enough so that you can use the squeegee without marking the shield, which is possible if it's not wet enough on top. Starting from the top edge of the computer, which you lined up properly when you initially placed in on the computer, squeegee towards the other end. Depending on the amount of pressure you apply, you can stretch the shield out to improve its coverage. Be careful though, as it is easy to overstretch it, which will require that you lift the entire shield up off the computer, spray the underside again to replenish the ShieldSpray that you squeegeed out, and place it back down again. You can also squeegee towards the edges if you need to stretch it somewhat horizontally as well. Use the towel beneath your computer to soak up drip-off, but be mindful not to let the towel touch the shield, as it will leave towel fibers on it. Also periodically lift the lid slightly to catch run-off that finds itself between the lid and the speaker grills as you will want to soak that up too.
After you have squeegeed out as much liquid as you can without damaging and/or stretching the shield, pay extra attention to the corners. They have a tendency to want to lift up off the computer. If this is the case, place your palm(s) on the affected corner(s) and hold it/them there for a minute or so. This will help to keep the corners from lifting. Repeat if necessary. Leave the computer in this position for at least an hour to make sure that the shield, especially the edges and corners, stays firmly applied before you change the computer's orientation. I usually leave it in this position even longer, perhaps as much as a day, before flipping it over.
To apply the bottom piece, use a similar methodology, but you will need to remove or reapply the piece covering the back vent. Just be sure to squeegee AWAY from the back vent when you are applying the shield, and be proactive with your towel in soaking up any solution that finds itself accumulating back there. If you are applying the sides at the same time, and don't need to flip the computer over, you don't need to wait. Otherwise, let the computer sit for at least an hour before you move it again.
For the sides, remove the tape that you applied earlier. You don't need to apply as much ShieldSpray to the sticky-side of the pieces for the sides since they are much easier to position. Just mist them until they are wet and apply them. They are VERY easy to stretch out so be very careful when applying and squeegeeing them that you don't use any pressure AT ALL. Also be careful to line them up properly vertically, as any overhang will cause the shield to collect dust in the future and be more apt to peel off. Leave the shield to rest for at least an hour, as before.
I haven't applied the palmrest and trackpad pieces since my very first application, since I don't like the feel of them, and have opted used products from Marware and Moshi instead. However, if you do choose to apply one or both of these pieces, just use your head and similar guidelines to what I've said above. Be careful when applying the trackpad piece as you don't want liquid to seep inside the computer.
As a tip, if you get any dust trapped under the shield, spray your finger tips with more ShieldSpray and try to massage the dust out. This will require that you lift up the affected area of the shield, which may result in more dust getting trapped, so only do this for particularly annoying bits, such as colored fibers and granules.
Note that I reserve the right to revise this guide without notice, and take no responsibility for any damage or other unintended consequences that come about as a result of following this guide.
