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Accessories .:[OFFICIAL] Wet VS Dry Application Screen Protector Thread:.

kwest12

Android Enthusiast
Nov 6, 2009
474
69
Welcome to the OFFICIAL WET VS DRY (STATIC) APPLICATION SCREEN PROTECTOR THREAD:


Purpose: To compare the merits and faults of wet vs dry application screen protectors!
Goals: Objectivity, Accuracy, Civility
Justification: No other threads addressing this specifically
Explanation: I see a lot of wet vs wet (ie. Zagg vs Phantom Skinz) and dry vs dry (ie. Steinheil vs Boxwave vs Clarivue) threads; this thread isn't for that type of comparison. This is specifically to discuss the merits of WET VS DRY application screen protectors.
Suggestions: Consider discussing the following topics: scratch resistance, easy of application, ease of removal, thickness, likeliness to unwanted peeling back, can they be reapplied if done incorrectly the 1st time, relative pricing, interaction with cases, etc.


Goals/Guidelines explicitly stated:
1) Try to be unbiased (I know the instinct is to say how wonderful the screen protector you have is and how crappy the others are in comparison to self validate, but please please pleeeeaaase resist that urge. Be objective!)
2) Please keep it factual, or as close to it as possible (don't try to present a feeling as cut and dry fact)
3) As always, please keep it civil (do unto others..., etc etc)
 
Wet Application Screen Protectors
Brands:
  • Phantom Skinz
  • Zagg
  • Invisible Gadget Guard
  • Skinomi
  • StealthGuard

Pros:
  • "Heal" when scratched
  • Hard to scratch or damage (?)

Cons:
  • Experience between brands/products varies quite a bit
  • Not reusable if removed
  • Must use water on phone & wait for it to dry
  • Prone to have 'orange peel effect'


Dry (Static) Application Screen Protectors
Brands:
  • Steinheil
  • Clarivue
  • Boxwave
  • Ezguard

Pros:
  • Inexpensive
  • Reusable if removed (?)

Cons:
  • Easy to scratch
  • Attracts dust (?)
  • Scratches don't heal


KEY:
(?) = Needs verification
 
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Hi there. I've used both types and I have to say the WET wins it for me. I bought the InvisibleGadgetGuard off eBay and while it's a bit more work than the static cling ones, it is 1000x better. I got the whole body protector for less than $15. It makes the whole phone very glossy, so if that's not your thing, you can get just the screen cover. It works amazingly well, doesn't take away any of the touch effectiveness, and self fixes itself if you do scratch or bump it. I was amazed at the quality and feel. If you remove it, it will not be resuable as it stretches out. It will take a couple of days to dry out, so don't freak, but once it dries fully, you won't even notice it. As for the static ones, like a 3pak for $5, total garbage. Bubbles galore, dust jumps on them like a magent, fingerprints are worse than nothing at all. Waste of money. But since they are cheap, you can keep buying them if you want. Once they are scratched, they are trash.
 
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Hi there. I've used both types and I have to say the WET wins it for me. I bought the InvisibleGadgetGuard off eBay and while it's a bit more work than the static cling ones, it is 1000x better. I got the whole body protector for less than $15. It makes the whole phone very glossy, so if that's not your thing, you can get just the screen cover. It works amazingly well, doesn't take away any of the touch effectiveness, and self fixes itself if you do scratch or bump it. I was amazed at the quality and feel. If you remove it, it will not be resuable as it stretches out. It will take a couple of days to dry out, so don't freak, but once it dries fully, you won't even notice it. As for the static ones, like a 3pak for $5, total garbage. Bubbles galore, dust jumps on them like a magent, fingerprints are worse than nothing at all. Waste of money. But since they are cheap, you can keep buying them if you want. Once they are scratched, they are trash.

Thanks for the insight mahers. Do you remember the exact brand/type of dry/static ones you tried?
 
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What's the diff between an official post and non-official? Do you have to get certified to make an official post? What office do you report to? If I wanted to complain about the legitimacy of an "official" post who would I rant to?

But no, really, I have tried both on my Samsung Omnia and felt that the wet application, if done propperly and given plenty of time (20+ hours) to cure and dry does provide a more professional finish.
 
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What's the diff between an official post and non-official? Do you have to get certified to make an official post? What office do you report to? If I wanted to complain about the legitimacy of an "official" post who would I rant to?

But no, really, I have tried both on my Samsung Omnia and felt that the wet application, if done propperly and given plenty of time (20+ hours) to cure and dry does provide a more professional finish.

Difference is that an official post is way more 1337 and betterer! As for authorization to make one... you could say I'm on a mission from Gad... lol

Back on topic, thanks for the input necosino. Follow up questions for you: what brands did you try? Also, what specifically felt more professional about the wet application protector?
 
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Myself included! I suppose it was a little nearsighted just using my first initial, but trust me, no one hates him more than someone who shares initials with him.

Back on topic now plz!

Reminds me of Office Space.

Samir: Hmm... well, why don't you just go by Mike instead of Michael?
Michael Bolton: No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks.
 
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Thumbs up for PhantomSkins here. I found them the easiest to install of all the wet application ones. I think it might have been that the instructions were a little different, and they all go on essentially the same way, but regardless. Least amount of orange peel effect out of all of them too. Plus a lifetime guarantee.

Zagg sucks. They look like crap even though they protect well. Same goes for Skinomi and StealthGuard Protectors. My StealthGuard protectors actually shipped with cuts in them from being pressed incorrectly.

I ditched my Steinheil Crystal after 2 days since it was easier to scratch then the bare glass. Sure it looks nice, but you have to be EVEN MORE careful with the screen when you have one of these on it if you want it to stay looking nice. What a waste of money.
 
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Upvote 0
Zagg sucks. They look like crap even though they protect well. Same goes for Skinomi and StealthGuard Protectors. My StealthGuard protectors actually shipped with cuts in them from being pressed incorrectly.
I don't see why/how they look like crap...

Here are some photos and video of the installtion on my phone:

zagg1.jpg


zagg2.jpg


zagg3.jpg


YouTube - Reflection from ZAGG shield

Yes, when the phone is off you can see a _little_ orange peel on the screen. But it's minor and I don't see why it make a difference. Once the phone is turned on you can't see the orange peel at all.
 
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I agree with PhantomSkinz/wet. I don't see the purpose in buying a screen protector that will itself get scratched. And PhantomSkinz is cheaper than Steinheil/Boxwave, so I don't see the "inexpensive" benefit for those two dry-application screen protectors.

If i had to say a "pro" for dry is that they are often washable and you can use scotch tape to remove dust from the "sticky" side, whereas particles can get stuck to the 3M/wet type protectors can be impossible to remove. That's only a con for wet if you install it incorrectly, though.
 
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I've tried both - I used a wet application on my Motorola Droid. Made me kind of nervous putting water on the phone but went on right the first time.

There is some orange peel, but that specifically doesn't effect clarity. There seems to be some reduced clarity but not as much as I have previously noticed with some of the dry protectors.

It is unbelievably tough - really impossible to damage short of breaking the screen itself I'd imagine. No peeling at the corners, really a perfect application. Also does better with fingerprints somehow vs the dry products.

If I had to go any way I would use this product again, my only though is, given the screen is glass, and is probably pretty hard to scratch anyway (think I saw a youtube video of some guy wailing on it with keys) might be ok to use nothing if you are the kind of person that is fairly careful about where you put your phone.

The Product is "Skinomi TechSkin" - Amazon.com: Skinomi TechSkin - Invisible Screen Protector Shield for Motorola Droid + LIFETIME REPLACEMENTS: Cell Phones & Service

It is a urethane film product, there may be other companies making the same thing. Depending on the phone they make complete skins as well to protect front and back.
 
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couple of notes on the Boxwaves (dry):

They CAN be reapplied.

I have NEVER seen a scratch in any of mine (garmins, bbs, palms, handhelds etc) but I also not not abuse my equipment ;)

I store my extras on an old 19" monitor.

do NOT use scotch tape to remove the AG/AF ones, it will remove the AG/AF texturing.

I have tried the Phantons/BSE's (wets) and in comparison to the Dry's they do not age as well.
 
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couple of notes on the Boxwaves (dry):

They CAN be reapplied.

I have NEVER seen a scratch in any of mine (garmins, bbs, palms, handhelds etc) but I also not not abuse my equipment ;)

I store my extras on an old 19" monitor.

do NOT use scotch tape to remove the AG/AF ones, it will remove the AG/AF texturing.

I have tried the Phantons/BSE's (wets) and in comparison to the Dry's they do not age as well.

Thanks for clearing up the reapplication issue w/ the drys, I updated the pros/cons.

What exactly do you mean by "do not age as well?" Do they start to peel up or something?
 
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I've tryed both zagg invisibleshield wet and dry on my HTC one. Pros of dry- quick application and can start using device immediately. All the micro bubbles and clouding worked itself out in 2 days. Good clarity. Has lifetime warranty. Cons- corners started peeling and got scratched by my keys in my pocket. collects finger prints and smudges. Small scratches healed nicely though. If you mess up on install then it WILL stretch and you will need to order replacement. Cost of replacement is 8.99 for shipping.....Pros of wet- forgiving on installation. Perfect clarity. Doesn't collect dust or finger prints. Hardly smudged. Much tougher when it comes to scratching. Micro bubbles and clouding worked out within a day. Cons- it's wet (obviously) I let it dry for an hour but it says wait 12 to 24 hours. I didn't have a problem though. ... Overall I'd give the dry a 6/10 and the wet a 8/10
 
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