Ok, It came today, the full body shield from ShieldZone.
I popped open the package and set everything up and then immediately started reading the instructions.
Now, the instructions are fairly easy to follow, but a secondary instruction sheet also came with the package. I read both before starting, otherwise I was wasting 25 USD.
Now, you get 2 spray bottles of solution for the install, and it would seem like enough, but try to use it sparingly in case you have to reset something like I did. Yup, I screwed up putting o\n the screen sheet and had to do it over. The nice thing was that I lifted it off with a piece of tape from the corner and simply started over. It stretched a little taking it off, but quickly went back to it's original shape.
Once I centered the top sheet, I used the squeegee to remove the fluid and get it set into place.
I set it aside and waited about 10 minutes or so before starting on the back.
The back piece is initially very easy to start. I got it lined up and centered beautifully. That was the easy part. Doing the wrap around sides and corners...well this took a whole lot of patience (just like it said in the instructions) to complete.
Here's the deal. The solution needs to dry off the sides before you can set them down. They said wait 5 minutes. Wait more like 10. Even when it looks dry, if there is ANY solution on the sides and corners, they will peel back off, or stretch and slide with any pressure applied. I was tearing my hair out trying to get it to stay.
I finally walked away and left it for another 5 minutes (after the initial 5 following the instructions) and then came back and tried again.
I got one corner secure.
I squeegeed some more and used a microfiber cloth to rub over the corners( from back to front) to help remove any moisture that was definitely preventing this thing from sticking. This helped get the next 3 corners on.
Now here's the thing with the corners: If the back piece is not JUST RIGHT, then, because you are manipulating a flat, pliable sheet of plastic over a rounded surface, some areas will buckle. Very frustrating. But Follow the instructions about using your palm to hold the corner in place. In some cases for the little buckles, I just used my thumb and it worked fine. Hold for double the time they quote, so 2 minutes.
(pictured is the edge of the backsheet and how well it's contoured to the phones features.)
Finally, after all the corners are done, let it set for another 10 minutes before applying the last 6 little pieces. ( btw, the instructions fail to mention anything about these, so I was initially a bit confused about what they were for, but I figured it out.
There are 2 pieces that go over the chrome at the top by the earpiece, and bottom under the home key. Fairly simple to install. You don't need it dripping with solution either. Just enough to hold it while applying.
There are also 4 "tear-drops" for the corners. The back sheet, when installed leaves 4 exposed tear-drop shaped areas, and these are to fill those areas in as this will be one of the most likely impact areas if you every dare drop your phone.
(tear-drop corner pieces. Yes, they are installed in this pic)
Use a little solution on your fingers to peel it off the paper and hold it and then, once in place, push on it with your thumb for about 60 seconds and it should be good to go.
Now, once you have completed all of these steps, look over your phone and see if there are any significant bubbles still under the shield. Squeegee them out towards a "trouble-free area" - an area that did not cause you any difficulty during installation and now let it set for the next 24 hours.
If you have to use the phone, use it with your headset to minimize touching it.
Also, a neat trick I found for the corners is to put the phone in the plastic shell that came with it when you first got your iPhone. The form fit helps maintain trouble areas that try to come up due to solution getting in the way. It's where I left mine each time I let it sit during the install process.
So there's the install. Here's my impressions.
* Installation is frustrating, but everyone should be able to accomplish it and so long as they remember that if it's not sticking, it's from the solution and the stickiness is still there. BE PATIENT!
* Yes there is a slight "tacky" feeling to the phone now, kind of like a static sticker for a window, but it does not hamper performance. it's simply a preference thing. if anything, I actually like it feeling a little grippy. less chance of it sliding out of my hand.
*NO difference in screen clarity. everything still looks sharp and clear.
* I hope I never have to find out just how tough it is, but if that day comes, I'll post it here. I can tell you that i had a screen protector on MiPhone before the shield, and I found where it had gotten nicked and scratched. I was really glad I had it on there. I'm even more happy that I have the shield on there now, cause I know that it will remain looking new a whole lot longer than someone who doesn't protect their iPhone.
Next review will be the Vaja Top Holster.
Thanks !
Hawk
I popped open the package and set everything up and then immediately started reading the instructions.
Now, the instructions are fairly easy to follow, but a secondary instruction sheet also came with the package. I read both before starting, otherwise I was wasting 25 USD.
Now, you get 2 spray bottles of solution for the install, and it would seem like enough, but try to use it sparingly in case you have to reset something like I did. Yup, I screwed up putting o\n the screen sheet and had to do it over. The nice thing was that I lifted it off with a piece of tape from the corner and simply started over. It stretched a little taking it off, but quickly went back to it's original shape.
Once I centered the top sheet, I used the squeegee to remove the fluid and get it set into place.
I set it aside and waited about 10 minutes or so before starting on the back.
The back piece is initially very easy to start. I got it lined up and centered beautifully. That was the easy part. Doing the wrap around sides and corners...well this took a whole lot of patience (just like it said in the instructions) to complete.
Here's the deal. The solution needs to dry off the sides before you can set them down. They said wait 5 minutes. Wait more like 10. Even when it looks dry, if there is ANY solution on the sides and corners, they will peel back off, or stretch and slide with any pressure applied. I was tearing my hair out trying to get it to stay.
I finally walked away and left it for another 5 minutes (after the initial 5 following the instructions) and then came back and tried again.
I got one corner secure.
I squeegeed some more and used a microfiber cloth to rub over the corners( from back to front) to help remove any moisture that was definitely preventing this thing from sticking. This helped get the next 3 corners on.
Now here's the thing with the corners: If the back piece is not JUST RIGHT, then, because you are manipulating a flat, pliable sheet of plastic over a rounded surface, some areas will buckle. Very frustrating. But Follow the instructions about using your palm to hold the corner in place. In some cases for the little buckles, I just used my thumb and it worked fine. Hold for double the time they quote, so 2 minutes.
(pictured is the edge of the backsheet and how well it's contoured to the phones features.)
Finally, after all the corners are done, let it set for another 10 minutes before applying the last 6 little pieces. ( btw, the instructions fail to mention anything about these, so I was initially a bit confused about what they were for, but I figured it out.
There are 2 pieces that go over the chrome at the top by the earpiece, and bottom under the home key. Fairly simple to install. You don't need it dripping with solution either. Just enough to hold it while applying.
There are also 4 "tear-drops" for the corners. The back sheet, when installed leaves 4 exposed tear-drop shaped areas, and these are to fill those areas in as this will be one of the most likely impact areas if you every dare drop your phone.
(tear-drop corner pieces. Yes, they are installed in this pic)
Use a little solution on your fingers to peel it off the paper and hold it and then, once in place, push on it with your thumb for about 60 seconds and it should be good to go.
Now, once you have completed all of these steps, look over your phone and see if there are any significant bubbles still under the shield. Squeegee them out towards a "trouble-free area" - an area that did not cause you any difficulty during installation and now let it set for the next 24 hours.
If you have to use the phone, use it with your headset to minimize touching it.
Also, a neat trick I found for the corners is to put the phone in the plastic shell that came with it when you first got your iPhone. The form fit helps maintain trouble areas that try to come up due to solution getting in the way. It's where I left mine each time I let it sit during the install process.
So there's the install. Here's my impressions.
* Installation is frustrating, but everyone should be able to accomplish it and so long as they remember that if it's not sticking, it's from the solution and the stickiness is still there. BE PATIENT!
* Yes there is a slight "tacky" feeling to the phone now, kind of like a static sticker for a window, but it does not hamper performance. it's simply a preference thing. if anything, I actually like it feeling a little grippy. less chance of it sliding out of my hand.
*NO difference in screen clarity. everything still looks sharp and clear.
* I hope I never have to find out just how tough it is, but if that day comes, I'll post it here. I can tell you that i had a screen protector on MiPhone before the shield, and I found where it had gotten nicked and scratched. I was really glad I had it on there. I'm even more happy that I have the shield on there now, cause I know that it will remain looking new a whole lot longer than someone who doesn't protect their iPhone.
Next review will be the Vaja Top Holster.
Thanks !
Hawk
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