[VAIO Z2] Clear-Coat application for the VAIO Z2, available tomorrow

Folks,

Since I got my Z2, I've contacted many companies (Zagg Invisibleshield, Wrapsol, Ghost armor, etc) in hopes that they would develop a protective skin for the VAIO Z2. Many were unresponsive, however a company called 'Clear-Coat' was more than happy to design the protective application for the notebook.

For the past week, I've been working with the company by sending my own laptop to their headquarters to have the clear-coat designed and applied. The results have been amazing. Attached are some pictures of their prototype skin.. the skin shown on the notebook is not final in design nor installation, but you can get the picture how nice it will turn out.

The laptop is being shipped back to me tomorrow. I will keep everyone updated on the final outcome. I've been told by Clear-Coat that the application for the Z2 will be released tomorrow on their website. Clear-Coat is also offering a 20% off coupon to share with our board members here: " 20vaioz2," so take advantage of the discount if you're planning to buy one!
Update: You may purchase here- Sony Vaio Z2 Series Skin + Screen Protector | Clear-Coat.com

The application (from what I understand) will include protection for the notebook's Lid, Sides, Palm Rest, Trackpad and the optional Slice battery. The bottom of the laptop was not designed since much of the motherboard and fans were exposed and the risk of having liquid seep into those areas were too high.

Shout out to Eric from Clear-Coat for providing an amazing application for the Z2, thanks!






Enjoy! I hope this will help with protecting all your Z2s

 

Wow, nice work.

 

That looks beautiful! The only thing I question is a coating for the touchpad. I've owned several touchscreen convertible PCs (like the Thinkpad X201T) and could never find a screen protector that didn't significantly reduce the responsiveness of the capacitance touch screen. I'm not sure if the same principle would apply to the surface of a touchpad, but there is some logical similarity and, from what I've been hearing, the Z2's touchpad is already a little "challenged."

Also, do you think they might be interested in designing skins for the Z1 series? Pretty sizable installed base, many more than Z2s for at least another year or so. Can you either ask (as it is could/should be to your credit to bring the business idea) or, alternatively, can you provide me with a contact at the company. Thanks.

 

How would the clear-coat be applied once the product is commercially available?

 

In response to the clear-coat on the touch pad- I definitely agree with you that the Z2's touch pad is already handicapped as is, so by applying the clear-coat, my guess is that some responsiveness will be lost. Eric from Clear-Coat has also warned that since the track pad is textured, the clear-coat does not look too flattering, so if you find that you guys hate it, just take it off.

Regarding the Z1 skin, I believe Invisibleshield already designed the film for it. I will check with the company to see if they can design one and get back to you

Louche, the clear-coat can be applied like similar products on the market, ie invisibleshield, wrapsol.. the kit will include an application solution, the protective film, squeegee and instructions. Refer to Installation Steps for some general instructions.

The beauty of this company is that they offer both a 45 day money back guarantee (even if it's already been used) and lifetime replacements.. not a shabby deal if you mess up on your application.

 

Glad you found something that worked, but I would've appreciated if you let me know so I didn't have to pursue further on my end.

BTW, I've got my trackpad covered on my Z1 and I didn't lose any responsiveness. YMMV

 

First off, awesome. I just ordered two kits with next day shipping.

However, I'm really liking the mat texture of the stuff I custom installed a while back. This stuff looks as if it has same apple skin texture as the Zagg kits. I'll post some comparison shots when I apply the new kit.

I think its pretty cool that they added coverage for the sheet battery in the full kit. You know Zagg would charge more for it.

The touchpad's function shouldn't be impacted. I've been putting this junk on devices for years, you won't notice.

Not sure about the palm rest stuff tho, I may opt to leave it off. I wear a metal watch, so the scratch protection it affords may be worth it. Dunno yet, I like the feel of aluminium.

They do indeed have a Z1 kit. Zagg generally requests a loaner machine to design a new kit.

 

Make sure you take advantage of the coupon code

I really like the matte texture too. I contacted Phantom Skinz or Wrapsol to see if they would design a kit if I sent them my Z2, however no luck.

I was surprised myself. I informed Eric that it was an optional accessory but is included in the Signature series. Pretty awesome!

After playing around with it, I can also confirm that the touchpad is still just as functional. However, due to the "grippy" feel of the skin, it may seem that the touchpad's functionality isn't as smooth. The touchpad is one area which could really benefit from a "matte" skin.

 

The surfaces and sensors of touch pads have changed in recent years, and I believe they are more pressure sensitive than capacitive touch sensitive (though I believe both are picked up), and that's probably why there doesn't seem to be a lack of sensitivity on the Z2's touch pad with a skin over it. I find the Z1's to be primarily touch (less than pressure) sensitive, so much so that when it's really cold, first use after sitting in a cool room for a long time, the touchpad seems unresponsive, and I sometimes have to warm it up by holding my palm over it for a bit, then it responds normally. Out of curioustiy, I played around with skin remnants I have and can confirm that, on the Z1, sensitivity is hampered with a skin. In any case, the good thing about most skins is that you can remove/replace them at any time without harming the surface under them.

BTW, I have never had a touchpad show wear, even after years, presumably because, unlike palm rests and keyboard keys, you tend to touch it with relatively little pressure. I wonder if the protection of it is worth even a bit of "grippy" feel. Then again, I've never spent $2,000-$5,000 on a lappy, and at that price I might want to hermetically seal any area that could possibly degrade with time.

Still and all, hats off - and +1 - to Edward for the find.

 

Maybe because I never use my Z1 in a cold environment that I don't have any issue with sensitivity, but that's interesting to know. Like I mentioned earlier your mileage may vary and it's certainly possible that I've just gotten used to it but I didn't notice any drastic difference after I installed it.

 

Mother of mud, didn't see that. Oh well, why have money if you can't spend it. Stupidly

PS: I didn't make the grippy comment, edwordsigh did,

 

"mother of mud" - what a great phrase! Do you own the copyright for it or have you learned it from others? I wish to incorporate this in active vocabulary and use it every chance I get. Just wondering, has anyone ever accused you of calling God "mud?!

( None of the above is meant to have a response, except maybe the origin - regional or specific use in a movie, etc. I just love it; don't ask me why.)

Sorry for mis-attributing that comment. Remains to be seen if you, and others, will experience it as well.

 

It just came to me

 

Get a copyright, quickly, before I do! I don't know what it is about it, but it makes me laugh every time I say it.

 

Make a definition and post it to Urban Dictionary.

Ninja Fog is one of my creations, although I could have defined it better.

Urban Dictionary: Ninja fog

 

They ask for a pseudonym (like Zoinks, with or without the rest of it.)
They also ask for an emial address.

I think you should get the credit for it. I'll be glad to post it, but PM me if you want your NBR handle to be your "pseudonym" and if you want me to give them you email address - which you'll have to give me.

I haven't worked out the precise definition, but it will be very cool.

 

I'll live

Back on topic, doesnt look like my order shipped which is disappointing since I basically paid for a 3rd kit by doing next day air. Oh well

 

Well, mother of mud! I can't believe you might lose the credit, lol

 

Whelp, got both kits. Wish I could say they are awesome, but I've got some concerns.

Here's some thoughts and pics

1. Kits came in a box with the application solution and two rubber squeegees. The coverings themselves came in a shipping tube. You will need much more solution, but just put a small drop of dishwashing soap in the vial and refill. Less soap the better.
2. There are tons of black shavings all over the film in both kits. Not sure if this is a manufacturing defect of of they were cutting a dark colored skin before starting on mine. The stuff seems confined to the top, but it is all over the place and seems to be stuck either by surface tension or static cling. Regardless, it is pretty unacceptable. They can't be blown off with compresses dair
3. The precision cuts are very good from what I've done so far, so + to them for that
4. The material is like a thinner version of what Zagg provides, which isn't a bad thing. It has an apple skin texture
5. The film is very high gloss, fingerprints are going to be problem.

I haven't decided if I'm going to install the rest of the kit or just stick with what I have. I really like the matte finish of the Wrapsol stuff, so I may just get another kit and customize it

On to the pics...

The kit:


Yep, it is for a Z2 alright. Warning, dragons ahead...


Cutouts for the touchpad seem well defined


Attack of the black specs. Pretty ridiculous


Before hot of the sheet battery with some battle scars


Shots after


In closing, it is important to note that what looked like a cool value add early on, ends up being a coverage problem. They give you a cutout for the sheet battery but not the undercarriage or internal battery. Huge problem for me, I don't use the sheet battery very often. To be fair, most shield makers do the same thing, so I don't hold it against Clear-Coat.com. Now those shavings, seriously guys?

If you like super deep black gloss, this kit is will probably set you up

Supplemental Viddie to show fingerprints

 

Zoinks, thanks for the review thus far. I'm pretty disappointed and shocked with the black shavings you experienced. You should definately shoot them an email to see if you could be compensated back.

I too was a little surprised that they couldn't do at least the internal battery cover.. To them, I think spraying solution on the undercarriage was too much of a risk to take, seeing that a lot of the Z2's hardware exposed through the vents and holes.

If you want, I can shoot Eric from Clear-coat an email to tell him they really messed up on your order. Let me know.

 

Not going to write anything. They can see the stuff in this post. I'm fairly disappointed. Remember I purchased two kits, both has the black smootz

 

Is the Z2 bottom very hard to remove? IMO they could tell users that if they want to cover the bottom, they should remove it first.

I suppose they have cutouts for the air intake/vents?

 

IMO that qualifies as a manufacturing defect. You should pursue it - not sure they are following this thread.

 

^ not worth my time.

I installed the tack trad and palm rest. Too lossy for me, but some may like it.

I left the track pad cover on for sh*tz and jiggles, but we'll see how long this lasts.

I'm way to happy to remove the custom Wrapsol I put in a few weeks back ween aging well and no fingerprints anywhere.

If you want gloss, this kit is probably they was to go. FC.com needs to address the black schmootz tho. Really silly, that

 

The handprint video didn't stick for some reason.

Wrapsol vs Cear-coat.com - YouTube

And yes, I'm a crazy person.

 

^yes, you sure are.

 

Probably not the best idea to take videos with your infant niece in your lap, but what can you do. She was entertained

 

Few last pics on what I'm calling a failed protector project.

It is important to note that these pics are of the CC.com kit, but ANY protective film would have similar results. The texture of the trackpad just isn't conducive to coverings, although it functions perfectly with it attached.

This is 24 hrs after application and I used it for several hours as well. I imagine the "dark bits" will normalize over time, but dunno. The moisture stuck in the divots may stay indefinitely.