vaio z fading palm rest best solution?

Hi.. the palm rest of on my vaio vpcz12 has been fading a while now where my hand rubs..i see it a fairly common problem ..was thinkin of gettin something like this and wondering if anyone had tried these and if so wat they thought of them.. or had any other solutions.

KH Special Laptop Carbon Skin Cover For SONY Z Series | eBay

thanks matt

 

looks good if you will have picture please upload

mine VPCZ1 same issue,
dark grey patch at palmrest - looks dodgy

 

hey.. ive gone for these instead as wasnt too sure on the carbon palm rest look..although i liked the look of it on the back of the laptop

SGP Sony Vaio Z [2010 Model] Skin Guard Set - Carbon

and

SGP Sony Vaio Z [2010 Model] Wristrest

i will let u know how they are when i get them and try uploading some pics

matt

 

I just use clear protector a 12" by 12" sheet and cut it out myself

 

yeaa i would of done that when i got it if i had known it was gona fade so bad so soon..lol.. i expected more of sony...so thats why i wanted something to cover it up and stop it gettin and lookin worse

 

Mine is horribly warn, I just live with it.

 

I can tell you (but no camera handy) that they look on the Z exactly as they look on the pictures - which is to say: not too classy but better than scratched lid and worn off paint on palm rests! Add one of those keyboard protectors (as I did!) and you will have succeeded in creating something of a mutant Z1, but one that will look as good the day you take the protective materials off as it did the day you put them on . If you can, I would recommend you get the "simulated leather" (black) for the lid rather than the "simulated carbon fiber" (which I have) because the former will look far more "real" than the latter. Some may find the CF "look" to be cool and I don't want to rain on their parade; it is not my "cup of tea," but it came with an earlier Z I bought so I am using it.

What really looks rather tacky is the SGP palm rest cover, which they describe alternately as "leather" or "suede" look when in fact it looks like the fuzzy "flocking" they used to put on wall paper in the 60s or, the fuzzy covers you'll find in none too few dashboards on cars in Mexico from those same '60s and '70s. No offense, but classy it is not! Think velvet more than suede and you'll have the right idea. To my knowledge, the only black palm rest skins SGP makes for the Z now is this fuzzy/velvety material and the "carbon fiber" material described above on my lid. Personally, I would choose the fuzzy dice version because they both look pretty tacky on your Z1's palm rests, but at least the fuzzy stuff feels really good under your palms and I assume it handles sweaty palms better for those who work in high heat environments or just get nervous about what they are typing, lol.

Then there's the "space age" keyboard protector that arrives looking quite clear but develops a milky haze after a short while and it only partially cleans off with soap and water. My "only" two complaints with this stuff:

1) It dulls the keyboard lighting somewhat, though you can still see the keys fine in the dark, a little less easily in a dim room.

2) It renders the finest chiclet keyboard made into, well, think of it as if your keyboard is wearing a condom ! You can't feel the keys or the precise down stroke that "activates" them, but you can still get the job done with your hands. Just doesn't feel as good and it can be hard to know if you're using the right amount of pressure, too little, or too much (hehe ) I guess I would sum it up by saying it gets the job done and offers excellent protection, but it just doesn't feel as good as typing "bareback." o ) All kidding aside, I'm going to try to leave it on and use it for web surfing, etc, but take it off for typing anything longer than this post. It does have the added advantage of protecting against spilled liquids and even dust entering in through the keys.

Can you say what brand you used and whether you have reason to believe it won't pull paint off with it when you remove it? I definitely think clearcoat is the way to go and you don't even have to custom cut the palm rests because you put one strip across the palm rests and the touchpad, so you're only cutting two rectangles: one for the lid and one for the palm rests/touchpad. The reason I say it looks the best is because I tried it with some ordinary clear sheet with adhesive back and it looked really cool, all glossy like the glossy CF lids. But I took it off when someone said the adhesive could remove the paint if it was not expressly formulated not to.

 

hahahha.. nice write up!.. yeaa i can see how there not gona look too classy..but at least its removable and it cant look any worse than a worn look

i did consider even taking out the palm rest and getting it spray painted.. as i cant see anywhere online where u can replacements?

 

There are definitely replacements for the palm rests and the entire keyboard deck including palm rests and touchpad. I think the former are about $100 and the latter closer to $200.

Putting all these protectors on my magnificent brand new pristine Z13 reminds me of my grandmother, who would buy really nice sofas and chairs and cover them with clear plastic-like covers over them. They looked like hell and felt even worse when you sat in them! But when she died, her furniture - with covers removed - was like brand new, lol!

I'm trying to find a kind of film from 3M or another company that makes skins to go on automobile paint without hurting the finish after the film is removed. Having used clear film that wasn't made for such purposes I can tell you that it looked great while protecting the finish. It came off fine but it was only on for a few weeks. I know they make stuff that's made to leave paint intact. The glossy look was very sharp.

 

arh rite ...do u know of any websites that sell them?..

haha..yeaa i know wat u mean..lol..it does seem abit daft .. i guess we spend alot of money on these things and hope to keep them looking nice.. and also helps resale value

do u mean something like this Body-Skins Inc. - Paint Protection Film, Car Bra, bugshield, Performance Films
cant comment on if its any good tho

 

Yes, these are just the kinds of materials I'm looking for. Just need the time to call and determine if the weight of the film (needs to be light as possible to form to the curves of the Z's body) is right and ensure that it will not lift the kind of paint on the computer. There is a member who had one of these shops that set up their CAD machine to custom cut a clearcoat set for the Z1 but they no longer offer that service. I will contact him to find out what the film model and mfr was and try to find a supplier. Most of these made for autos cost only around $20US for the amount needed.

 

Go to Zagg's site and use Invisible Shield.

I applied Invisible Shield on mine for the palmrest, and abysmally failed applying the lid film so tossed that one out and got the SGP Carbon lid.

Looks awesome.

 

I used this, comes off nice, use it on all my devices too actually.

Universal Clear Protector 12 x 12 | Clear Protector

I believe the coupon IWANTULTRA still works, takes 50% off

 

Thank you so much Mr. Sneeze D). Coupon worked like a charm! I got two, but I think they will be needed for one laptop to do both the lid and the palm rest. If not, I have other things to use it on. +1

 

No problem, mr. uhh... love? And, yeah a 12x12 sheet will be enough for about your palmrest + 4 phones

 

Well, I guess I have an extra to sell anyone who wants it - $12!

You can call me "LL" - all my friends do

 

Oh wait you're also doing the lid? the Vaio Z's lid is a little longer than 12" although if you got say a 12"x13" it'd be enough for just the lid and the palmrest

 

That's why I got two sheets, but I blew it on the length, which is 12 3/8". I didn't even realize you could order in one inch increments. I think it will be fine with about 1/8" on either side. I'll let you know.

 

Hmm I'm not sure that you can, but ClearProtector seems to be a smaller company and I bet they'll accomodate you if you ask. They seem to be pretty active on their Facebook site.

 

You were right; they are really nice and agreed to ship me out a 12X24" piece pending my return of the two 12X12's. And, of course, everything is 50% off so the cost is the same.

Looking at the SGL skin I have on the Z13 now, it is only 12 1/8" and not going end to end really doesn't look bad, but going all the way will look better. Thanks again. +1 EDIT: sorry, seems you're the last one I repped; next time.

 

Glad I could help and good to know that they're willing to help too

 

ok i got my sgp skins the other week..jus fitted them now..and im quite happy with them ..they fit perfectly and are easy to fit.. and for wat they are i think they look pretty good

the carbon look skin on the back of the screen will do a good job at protecting from scratches and i dont think it looks too tacky at all

the palm rest skin hides the unsightly fade marks on the paint and looks 10 times better with it on..no its not as nice as the original finish but it does an okay job and doesnt look too out of place..its has a nice soft feel to it too

heres some pics of them fitted .. sorry not the best quality but u get the idea

 

They need something for teh damn keys too on that series. My Spacebar had that same worn shine. Nasty to look at.

 

yea ur rite it does really.. alot of my keys are looking abit shiny.. the "t" is gettin the worse lol.. ..pretty bad for laptop less than 2years old really

 

I believe xxGenericSNxx has got a keyboard skin... it's just some rubber/silicone flap that goes over your keyboard, IMHO it looks tacky, then again. I'm using this machine til it sputters and falls over dead (Hurry! I want a new one already!)