Like many of you I got my Gtab from woot.com I searched around for a screen protector with the perfect fit and couldn't find one until someone on here posted that xoskins.com made one for them http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005240 where I said I would write a review once I got it. Its a holiday so I have time, here we go. I have used their skins in the past and I am a huge fan. At the time they were the only ones who did the cutouts correctly and their stuff is by far the best. No orange peel, no rubbery texture, and a lifetime warranty.
Packaging:
The skin came in a padded envelope with a snakeskin (not real snakeskin, but some texture printing very cool) box inside. The box had the skin, a spray bottle, squeegee, and instructions. The instructions are detailed and show you how to do it. They also have a youtube channel with install videos/guides if this is your first time.
Installation:
The install took me about 5 minutes. I have done these before so I am not a n00b. Just take your time and installing any skins are easy. Try and do this at night so that way you will leave your skin time to dry over night. I always steam up my bathroom before installing a skin, this drops all the dust out of the air. Wash your hands very well so that you don't have oils that will leave a finger print. Spray a fair amount of the spray on the sticky side to make sure its completely covered. Lay it down on the gtab and line it up. Then spray a lil on the surface of the skin where you will squeegee. I make one light pass over the whole screen to get it lightly tacked down and once I know its in place I press firmly and squeegee out the rest of the spray. It may leave some streaks but those go away after a day or so.
Look and Feel:
These usually take a day or two to completely cure. After they are installed they sometimes look hazy but after the day or so they clear up and look crystal. These skins are my fav because they don't have an orange peel/rubber texture to them. They feel as smooth as the plastic skins, but they are as strong as any polyurethane one. They do not turn yellow because of a uv coating which is also what hides fingerprints. On a big reader screen these are a must because of that alone.
Care:
DO NOT spray windex on these! I sprayed some on my evo skin and it kind of eats at it. I contacted their customer service and they sent me a new one and recommended using just the spray it came with to clean the screen. Windex has some acidic properties to it that are not nice to any urethane or plastic. They also said if it runs out fill it back up with water and a drop or two of dish soap.
I highly recommend these skins. I have used many in the past and I install these for everyone at work. Check them out.
Just finished painting the extra Commuter Case Plastic Piece.
I started out by isolating the upper part with blue painters tape. Then I spray painted it with Rustoleum Red for Plastic (wanted Krylon Fusion but I couldn't find it anywhere). Sanded down and repainted like 4 times. Finally I took some Brasso and gave it a nice finish. I probably should've used some clear finish, but there's always more time.
Comments?
looks cool, did u sand it first or did ya just paint it? i think im going to do that but im going to have it john deere colors, green on one half, yellow on the other
Nah I didn't sand first. The surface seemed rough enough. Just covered the bottom with painter's tape .
Well it looks cool, just might have to do the same!!!!
Sent from my 3VO using XDA App
Any tips for how to properly clean the rear of this tablet? I love the finish but it's terrible for smudging and prints. I want to clean it good and then get it into a new case. I have at my disposal:
Windex
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
50/50 Isopropyl Alchol mix
LCD wipes (which have the same chemical I believe)
"Screen DrX"
"Glass Cleaner" spray
I'm a bit reluctant to just try all of these as I fear anything wet will leave permanent wet looking smudges in this material.
Thanks
Simply don't clean it - when you plan to put it in a case you won't see the smudges anyway.
It's waterproof. Use washing up liquid, scrub and rinse off with water.
I wash it at the same time and in the same way I wash my hands after a dump.
Tap water + hand soap lather
Just use water and a towel... Also babywipes work nicely. It's water proof so don't be affraid.
Sent from my C6503 using XDA Free mobile app
And this is why I have a white one..
White WOULD be nice if the front border around the screen was also white. Now it just looks cheap
Sent from my C6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks I'll try the soapy water/towel. I know it's waterproof but that material seems like it would just absorb any kind of oily cleaners.
A big thanks to several members of this community, biggest thanks goes to T-R as I followed much of his instructions here
My goal was to replace the back but also place metal plates for my CD tray magnetic car holder.
I ordered three of the factory second backs from SlickWraps, the dark leather, football leather and cork. My first try was going to be with the cork as I figured it to be the most forgiving. I ordered the same plastic sheeting and 3M strips that T-R ordered.
Tools I used:
Hair Dryer to heat back
Library card to help peel off back
Pick to start initial prying of back
1/16th drill bit for microphone hole
Xacto knife to cut plastic sheet
Dremel to cut metal plate
I'm not good at step by step instructions so I apologize for not walking through what steps it took to make this happen. Feel free to ask if you are curious. My first attempt at the metal plate was too big and the back kept popping off. I put only one of the plates back over the little divot under the camera but didn't take pics before putting back on again as I didn't think it would work, seems it did.
My pros and cons and pics.
Pros:
Love the feel of the cork
Feels close to stock when not being nit picky
My slickwrap experience was great, order on Wednesday, in my mailbox on Friday
Fit of the cork back is impressively good minus one issue, see below
Cons:
Buy extra stickers, I screwed up the first and was glad to have a second but will need more if I want to change it
Mic hole is no where near where it should be on the cork back, might be part of why it's a factory second
Stickers are not as strong as the Motorola goop
Rookie mistake:
I had left the screen naked while working on all of this and scratched the hell out of it (my standards, others ask where when they look at it)
thanks for sharing. always love to see pics of what others are doing. what kind of magnetic holder do u use? any pics of the damage to the screen?
sand1303 said:
thanks for sharing. always love to see pics of what others are doing. what kind of magnetic holder do u use? any pics of the damage to the screen?
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I tried taking a pic of the scratches and they don't show up well; they are probably not as bad as I make them out to be. I switched over to this mount because it has the strongest magnet I could find in a CD mount holder.
I'm tempted to switch the back out for one of the leather ones, I'm never satisfied.
No matter how nice it looks, it's certainly not worth scratching the screen for. I never put my phone face down on any surface that is not soft and I've never scratched the screen on any of my numerous phones. I hate screen protectors because they always look and feel horrible but I am super careful about the screen. That's the bit you interact with all the time and it would really bother me to have even the slightest scratch on it.
Otherwise, good job.
Was curious on how the plastic backing under the skin was holding in terms of sticking. I was thinking about doing the same thing and wanted to know how good the plastic/tape combo was at holding over time. Any lifting occur?
Jawrduhn said:
Was curious on how the plastic backing under the skin was holding in terms of sticking. I was thinking about doing the same thing and wanted to know how good the plastic/tape combo was at holding over time. Any lifting occur?
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My first install was my learning exercise and I can't say it would have survived long term, started popping up on the edges. Just this past week I installed the football textured leather back and am very happy with it. Thus far it is not popping up anywhere but I had learned a lot from my last install. New learnings:
Have a brand new x-acto blade, works so much easier making the plastic template back
Scuff the plastic backing before applying the sticker, it comes shiny and smooth
I bought a heat gun and found out quickly the plastic back can warp easily so be careful when heating it
Still heat it though and hold for a good 30-60 seconds after
Leave a small gap around around the sticky tape after applying to the back, if you try to cut it perfect you land up with a bare edge
Install the plastic back first to the phone, leave it for a day if you can. If it pops up, heat the hell out of it and hold as strongly as you can for a minute or so ( I wore gloves)
Heat again after applying the leather back, heat really helps the application stick
If you buy the regular leather be aware it's not treated with any water resistance or proofing and any water will mark it.
If you are buying the Factory Second versions buy a couple, they are only $10 each and $2 shipping total.
The bump near the camera is from the metal plate I installed for my car mount, I couldn't fully conceal it.
thepktrckt said:
My first install was my learning exercise and I can't say it would have survived long term, started popping up on the edges. Just this past week I installed the football textured leather back and am very happy with it. Thus far it is not popping up anywhere but I had learned a lot from my last install. New learnings:
Have a brand new x-acto blade, works so much easier making the plastic template back
Scuff the plastic backing before applying the sticker, it comes shiny and smooth
I bought a heat gun and found out quickly the plastic back can warp easily so be careful when heating it
Still heat it though and hold for a good 30-60 seconds after
Leave a small gap around around the sticky tape after applying to the back, if you try to cut it perfect you land up with a bare edge
Install the plastic back first to the phone, leave it for a day if you can. If it pops up, heat the hell out of it and hold as strongly as you can for a minute or so ( I wore gloves)
Heat again after applying the leather back, heat really helps the application stick
If you buy the regular leather be aware it's not treated with any water resistance or proofing and any water will mark it.
If you are buying the Factory Second versions buy a couple, they are only $10 each and $2 shipping total.
The bump near the camera is from the metal plate I installed for my car mount, I couldn't fully conceal it.
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Awesome, thanks for the tips. I'm actually using a skin from TOAST so I'll see how everything pans out.
thepktrckt said:
My first install was my learning exercise and I can't say it would have survived long term, started popping up on the edges. Just this past week I installed the football textured leather back and am very happy with it. Thus far it is not popping up anywhere but I had learned a lot from my last install. New learnings:
Have a brand new x-acto blade, works so much easier making the plastic template back
Scuff the plastic backing before applying the sticker, it comes shiny and smooth
I bought a heat gun and found out quickly the plastic back can warp easily so be careful when heating it
Still heat it though and hold for a good 30-60 seconds after
Leave a small gap around around the sticky tape after applying to the back, if you try to cut it perfect you land up with a bare edge
Install the plastic back first to the phone, leave it for a day if you can. If it pops up, heat the hell out of it and hold as strongly as you can for a minute or so ( I wore gloves)
Heat again after applying the leather back, heat really helps the application stick
If you buy the regular leather be aware it's not treated with any water resistance or proofing and any water will mark it.
If you are buying the Factory Second versions buy a couple, they are only $10 each and $2 shipping total.
The bump near the camera is from the metal plate I installed for my car mount, I couldn't fully conceal it.
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Click to collapse
Is it a formed vinyl patterned or really leather? footballs are supposed to be made of pig leather right?
I'd like to see ostrich
LOL haven't seen Ostrich yet. It's definitely textured bovine leather not plastic and looks like it is treated as I haven't had any water stains yet.
Forgot to ask, when you said your first attempt had he edges raising, were you referring to the plastic or the leather?
lotus49 said:
No matter how nice it looks, it's certainly not worth scratching the screen for.
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I agree. Even the slightest hint of a scratch and I would lose a bunch of sleep. But unlike you, I use a glass protector which feels like the phone screen.
Jawrduhn said:
Forgot to ask, when you said your first attempt had he edges raising, were you referring to the plastic or the leather?
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Click to collapse
Both but most of it was the plastic peeling off of the back of the phone. It was applied twice though and I'm certain that impacted the adhesion.
My Nexus with Cork back from Slickwraps.
http://kryon.smugmug.com/Purenexus/i-bRKJdsk/0/O/OPERATIONPNbanner5x1.png
Has anyone installed this without the replacement back? and if so can I get a pic?
How is the cork back holding out for you. Can you post any pics after wear and tear.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I am at work so I can't post pics but I made the jump and got one a couple weeks ago. I like the way it looks but if you tend to work on cars or have dirty hands from working, this is not for you. My cork back is filthy but not too noticeable unless you've seen it beforehand.
I'm diggin' the cork look!
Hi,
Unfortunately ceramic version also get scratches. After over year of using I've got some really ugly, big scratches on ceramic back.
I wonder if it is possible to polish back surface? Does anyone tried?
I have some experience with polishing car parts, but it's totally different item.
How do you think? Is is possible to polish ceramic? Or maybe I will get only worse...
Hello . Tbh I'm not sure what I would do. As it is a phone. How ever! It is possible to get scratches out of ceramic.
Take the back of (if you can)
mark with chalk all the scratches easy to wipe off.
get a bowl or something filled with nice hot water not to hot though you got a stick you hand in. Make it warm. Shuv some dishwasher liquid in. Good quality. Like fairy liquid or something.
CLEAN THEM SCRATCHES!
then wipe up the scratches and dry up with a clean cloth. One that doesn't leave bobbles or rubbish.
Put a small bit of brass polisher on a clean, soft cloth. Apparently tooth paste or vinagre works, but not tried it. Rub the product into the scratches and all the edges, like your wax a car. Circle Circle circles keep doing it. Eventually the scratches should no longer be visible.
you can stop there although when I did my bathroom tiles I used some car wax just to protect the areas.
I hope this helps. . Don't run at me with knives and lemons if it ruins your phone please xD this works on real ceramic....
Hope I assisted .
Mine with more or less one year old have no scratches in ceramic, only on the aluminium(?) edge and some light scratches in front glass. I have used it almost all time withou a case. !!!!