[VAIO Z2] Shielding the Z2 - How-To

Morning sports fans,

A new laptop, a new how to protect it thread. Normally, I would order some 3M film from BestSkinsEver, but I was lazy this round. I purchased a Wrapsol Macbook Pro 17" kit from Fry's and cut it for application to my Z2. It was $29.99

Here's the Wrapsol Kit


The Wrapsol kit is very complete with a top cover, a bottom cover, one for the palmrest and one for the touchpad. I used the top for this part of the project. It also includes two application solution vials, a microfiber cloth and a rubber squeegee.

Some before shots:



Now, on to the application.

I used a fine-tip Sharpie to get the side dimensions for cutting. You want the cuts to be slightly smaller than the LCD screen so you don't have any overlap, so I leaned the pen in under the lid.

Ready for tracing:


Next, I used my trusty Exacto arm cutter to make sure I had a nice, straight cut.



With the side dimensions cut, I taped the film to the laptop, using the aluminium hinge assembly as a reference point. I then flipped it and used the sharpie to set the size. This cut was too long for the cutting arm, so I taped the film to a piece of corrugated paper I ripped from a box and used a metal ruler to guide the cut using a box cutter. Use a fresh blade for this.

Taped to the laptop


Cutting line made with the Sharpie. You should cut behind this line.


Next up is the wet application. Some notes:

• Cut your fingernails and wash your hands
• Remove your battery. Water isn't bad for electronic components. Water + current is. Be very careful.
• Spray the application solution, liberally, to your fingers, the LCD screen and the sticky part of the film after you remove the backing
• Use the aaalluminium hinge aas a guide to line up your edges
• Squeegee out the fluid, using a towel to catch the runoff
• If you mess up, pull the film up and re-wet it.
• Minor blemishes will go away as the film dries, but be sure to get all the fluid out. Bubbles are bad.

Here are the results after the application.




All in all, I'm very happy with the fitment. I made a concious decision to cover up the the troughs on each side of the LCD panel. Cutting around these would have been too hard. I think it will be OK after the film dries.

As for the Wrapsol film, it has a mat finish. Not sure if I like it or not. I'm sure it will handle fingerprints very well, but it does obscure some of the carbon fiber texture.

I'm going to see how I like the Wrapsol finish before I cover the bottom of the laptop.

That's it for now. Hope this helps somebody down the line.

Supplemental: Sony, use larger trackpads!

 

The mat texture of the Wrapsol kit is greatness. It is basically fingerprint proof. I'm going to do the battery and base assembly this weekend.

It is somewhat liberating to carry the Z2 without a case and not worry about scratches. This is highly recommended.

 

I've been waiting for this thread. Looks exciting. When I had my Z1 done at a car tinting shop, they basically did the same thing you did (while also hand cutting an edge). A few months later the shop got a laser cutting machine so I'm thinking about having mine redone.

Do you still have your original wrap on the Z1/ have you ever replaced it? I'm just wondering how long you keep it on for before you replace if ever.

 

Depends. I pull the stuff off if one of the corners come up or if I scuff it too bad.

Since these sony laptops aren't white, yellowing isn't a problem.

I don't get the white gizmo thing, but to each their own I guess

 

Looks great

Did you happen to only shield the top or did you do the sides and bottom of the laptop as well? I can imagine those areas being much more difficult.

 

I've since covered the base and battery. We will have to wait for a precision cut kit from Zagg or somebody to get the smaller stuff. Don't really think it is necessary tho

 

Would you mind posting some 'after' pictures of the base and battery? I'm very curious