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DIY Screen Protectors

After reading many posts on DIY screen protectors I purchased some clear plastic film from JoAnn Fabric.

Now I'm looking for specifics on how I get it to cling to my VXD screen. Heard some mention of using water when mounting plastic to screen. What's this all about?

I think it's supposed to stick to the screen via static cling, but people have talked about a small dab of water spread around to make it stickier.

Clear vinyl will adhere decently if you put a drop or two of water on the screen-side and then carefully lay it on the PDA. The water will spead to a thin film and hold the screen in place as it dries.

You will need to carefully work the bubbles out as it is laying down, and you'll need to be prepared with some tissue to absorb any water that tries to come out at the edges.

Personally, I have been there/done that and was not wild about the results, but one thing that helped was to do the "Rain-X treatment" as well.

When you have the film in place, take a new tissue and put a couple drops of Rain-X Windshield Treatment on it. Rub this onto the surface of the protector until it stops beading up. Let it dry, then buff it off.

It will leave a silicone layer that helps repel water and fingerprints a little, and makes a nice gliding feel for the stylus.

(This works on most screens and protectors- but not those with texture.)

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Actually, I've never used water. Just applied it directly with a credit card and I've never had one come loose.

I've also heard of people using vegetable oil instead of Rain-X to get the gliding effect. Personally, I've never used that either. The very slight drag the vinyl causes makes it feel more like paper to me.

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thinner vinyl will help with the stylus feel. I use 4 mil vinyl on mine and like the feel of it. Any thinner than that and I've found it becomes prone to wrinkling if you press or write too hard.

If you get much thicker than 8 mil, then the surface becomes too soft and spongy.

I just run the sheet under water to clean it off, dry with a lint free cloth and lay it over the screen. A credit card works nicely to squegee out any air bubbles.

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quote:

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Originally posted by sowens
I've also heard of people using vegetable oil instead of Rain-X to get the gliding effect. Personally, I've never used that either. The very slight drag the vinyl causes makes it feel more like paper to me.

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Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!