Tips on installing an LCD screen protector.

It doesn't seem like a screen protector should be that much work to install. Basically rip off the backing, stick it on the screen, and you're good to go, right? Wrong.

I learned this the hard way trying to get my green onions supply protector on my M11x. There's a number of reasons to get a screen protector, but primarily in my case, to eliminate the horrible glossy screen of the M11x and change it to a matte.

One of the biggest problems is dust. No I don't live in a pig sty, but just random dust floating around can be a big problem as you try to make sure your screen is clear of any kind of dust particles, not to mention the sticky back of the protector. If any dust gets on the screen or protector it is amplified when you see it on the screen. Air bubbles are also a problem, but not too bad with the thicker silicon adhesive backed protectors.

Thanks to the folks in the Alienware M11x forums, we were able to come up with a decent installation and minimize any risk of contaminating dust particulates. I compiled them into a procedure. Some steps may seem strange but it works. This may seem a little extreme, but after the issues I had, this works. Green Onions was kind enough to send me a replacement protector after nearly destroying the one I bought initially.

Items you'll need:

(1) latex gloves
(2) hair net (if you've got the lockes, I don't )
(3) clean pan or bucket that will fit the size of the protector (tupperware or glass dish pan seem to work well)
(4) mild dish soap
(5) Microfiber cloth, a couple would be good
(6) credit card
(7) bathroom with a shower (seriously)
(8) lots of patience

Here's the recommended procedure:

(1) Start running a hot shower, leave the bathroom, and shut the bathroom door. You'll come back to the bathroom in a few minutes when it's steamed up. The steam in the air should remove dust from the air.

(2) Fill up your pan or bucket with hot water and only a drop or two of mild dish soap. You need to fill it up only a couple inches, enough to submerge your protector.

(3) Put on your hair net and latex gloves. You don't want to get your greasy fingerprints or stray hair or who knows what from your head on the screen or protector.

(4) Remove the front and back backing of the screen protector, and make note of which side is the adhesive side. Now just submerge it in the pan or bucket with soapy water. These protectors have a silicon adhesive on the back and won't really be effected by a mild soapy wet bath. Getting it wet will allow you slide your protector around to get proper alignment on your screen.

(5) I would now move the laptop and screen protector (in the pan of soapy water) into the bathroom if it's good and steamy by now.

(6) Clean the laptop screen really well. Using a damp lint free cloth or micro fiber cloth should work great. Be particular about it, get anything you see off there. It can be a pain, but worth it in the end. Don't be afraid to leave streaks of water, it'll be fine.

(7) Once the screen is sparkly clean, install the protector on the screen. You won't have to be particularly careful as you should be able to easily slide it around or peel it back slightly and reseat it to be properly aligned.

(8) There will probably be a lot of bubbles underneath but that's fine, we'll deal with that later. Inspect for any dust particulate, hopefully you don't have any. If you do, I use packing tape rolled with the adhesive on the outside an stick a couple fingers in it and dab it on the back. I also had luck with using my damp microfiber cloth too.

(9) Now just clean up and put your laptop wherever, preferably not in the steamy batheroom as I'm assuming prolonged exposure in that environment can't be good. Let your laptop sit for about an hour.

(10) After about an hour use your credit card to smooth out the bubbles. Make sure to hold your protector on the screen while doing so, otherwise it may slip out of place again. If your protector still seems to slide a lot, then wait a while longer. As the water dries, the silicon adhesive should start to take effect. You will get more bubbles, but they can easily be smoothed out with the credit card. It may take a few days to get them all out, but they will go away completely.

That's it, enjoy a glare free screen!

Here's two decent vendors that provide screen protectors:
photodon.com - if they don't supply your specific laptop screen they will cut to size.

green onions supply - they can be bought on their website, but usually cheaper at amazon.com. Good customer service, replaced my protector without a hitch, just had to provide proof of purchase.

Special thanks to:

TomCat57 - for the shower tip
roxxor - for the soapy water tip