View Full Version : Cleanliness the DS way
I got my DS last week and ordered the Armorlite shortly after. It arrived today, but before I snap it in (I hear it is quite hard to remove) I want to try to clean all the smudges (ALREADY!) off. What's the best way to do this?
Circuit City was "kind" enough to send me a free sample of "Pledge Multi-surface" wipes, and it says they are safe for eletronics. Is a product like this suitable or overkill?
On a related note: What is the best thing to use for cleaning the screens? Hopefully my Hori screen protectors will arrive tomorrow. Are they a total bitch to apply?
Man, I'm all over the place. But I'm SO SINCERE.
iazybandit
03-19-2007, 07:08 PM
I got my DS last week and ordered the Armorlite shortly after. It arrived today, but before I snap it in (I hear it is quite hard to remove) I want to try to clean all the smudges (ALREADY!) off. What's the best way to do this?
Circuit City was "kind" enough to send me a free sample of "Pledge Multi-surface" wipes, and it says they are safe for eletronics. Is a product like this suitable or overkill?
On a related note: What is the best thing to use for cleaning the screens? Hopefully my Hori screen protectors will arrive tomorrow. Are they a total bitch to apply?
Man, I'm all over the place. But I'm SO SINCERE.
Just spray windex or something on a soft rag and clean it. Or just take a microfiber cloth (used for glasses) and clean it.
As for applying Hori Screen Protector goes, clean the surface first. Remove the top protective layer and place two pieces of scotch tape on opposite corners (diagonal from each other). This will allow you to hold and line up the Hori. Now, remove the bottom (the part that clings onto the screen). Now hold the scotch tapes and slowly apply the screen protector but at the same time, aligning it. Once its on see if there are any bubbles. If there are, lift the corner (with the tape) that is closest the bubble. DO NOT lift the screen protector up completely..just enough so that the bubble is removed.
If you have dust or any particles under the Hori, you'll need another piece of scotch tape. This will be your "grabber". Lift the corner closest to the particle and use the extra piece of scotch tape to grab the particle. Majority of the time it is on the Hori as it uses static so the sticky side of the tape will be facing you. Repeat until all is removed.
Once its all clean, you're done. I've done this many times for friends PSP, cellphones, NDS and digital cameras. All with no bubbles or dust particles!
Thanks for the info on technique. How many chances would you say I have, if I fuck up?
soccerstud652
03-20-2007, 12:19 AM
Honestly, the Hori protectors are a waste.
I have had my DS Lite since launch and it still looks brand new. I just keep it in a case while not using it and every week or so I clean it with a microfiber cloth. Same goes for the screen. I have played some hardcore 3 v 3 Mario Hoops and I thought the bottom screen would scratch but it still looks brand new.
Just clean it once a week or so and you'll be fine. MI.CROFIBER CLOTH and nothing else...also I would suggest a 50/50 rubbing alchohol / water solution instead of Windex.
0192837465
03-20-2007, 12:30 AM
I bought the Hori protectors for the DS. Basically, if you are in any way OCD, you will never get them on to your liking. You supposedly have all the tries in the world to apply them, but once you get going and just try to remove that ONE LAST bubble, you will get micro-dust underneath/on the protector as well, and have two bubbles in its place, only the adhesive will be less effective.
So, just roll up tape in a circle, smudge the screens, then apply the screens, and if you have like 1 small bubble just leave it be. I re-applied and re-applied the bottom one and in the end it crumpled with all my fiddling and it wasn't really worth it.
Basically don't spend more than 5 minutes on it and you'll be fine.
Wikipedia claims that microfiber cloths can damage sensitive surfaces such as LCDs. True?
Magehart
03-20-2007, 12:56 AM
Wikipedia claims that microfiber cloths can damage sensitive surfaces such as LCDs. True?
Wikipedia is always truthful :roll:
They can damage some LCD screens depending on how they're manufactured (like if you touch the screen even the slightest and it does the ripples). But the DS has assloads of protective layers so you really really can't scratch them unless you kick some serious ass. Case in point, when I worked at TRU I used to demo how durable the DS screens were by scratching at them with my keys. After 3 months it still looked sexy.
I picked up an Armorlite yesterday and already put my DS in it.
I found that the top part snaps onto the DS very tightly (with 2 tabs/teeth grabbing the top part of the DS). It was such a tight fit that the tabs were going to scratch the sides of the top part of the DS as I pushed it into place. Removing the DS from it would be difficult. You will have to almost pry open the tabs to give room for the DS to come out. When you pry open something, you will have a high risk of scratching it.
The bottom part of the DS is an easier fit. Removing it from the Armorlite is much easier.
iazybandit
03-20-2007, 08:31 AM
Thanks for the info on technique. How many chances would you say I have, if I fuck up?
You wont fuck up. Hori doesnt use sticky residue. They use static to adhere to the surface so you can lift it up and down as many times. If it gets dirty, just use water to rince but dont use a towel or anything to dry it or you'll get particles on it. Just fling it like you would with your hand to dry the water.
iazybandit
03-20-2007, 08:32 AM
Honestly, the Hori protectors are a waste.
I have had my DS Lite since launch and it still looks brand new. I just keep it in a case while not using it and every week or so I clean it with a microfiber cloth. Same goes for the screen. I have played some hardcore 3 v 3 Mario Hoops and I thought the bottom screen would scratch but it still looks brand new.
Just clean it once a week or so and you'll be fine. MI.CROFIBER CLOTH and nothing else...also I would suggest a 50/50 rubbing alchohol / water solution instead of Windex.
Purpose of the Hori is to prevent scratches on the screen...not on the system itself.
iazybandit
03-20-2007, 08:34 AM
I bought the Hori protectors for the DS. Basically, if you are in any way OCD, you will never get them on to your liking. You supposedly have all the tries in the world to apply them, but once you get going and just try to remove that ONE LAST bubble, you will get micro-dust underneath/on the protector as well, and have two bubbles in its place, only the adhesive will be less effective.
So, just roll up tape in a circle, smudge the screens, then apply the screens, and if you have like 1 small bubble just leave it be. I re-applied and re-applied the bottom one and in the end it crumpled with all my fiddling and it wasn't really worth it.
Basically don't spend more than 5 minutes on it and you'll be fine.
There is no adhesive on the Hori protectors. They all use static to adhere to the surface. If anyone follows my technique, there will be no problem. I never had any crumpling issue at all. So as long if you try to remove a particle or dust by lifting the closest corner without lifting the whole protector up, you'll be fine. If you turn your protector over completely, obviously you'll have particles on the screen protector. Thats like cleaning your shoe off in the middle of the road with a truck heading straight for you.
I like using isop. rubbing alcohol with a Q-tip. And the hori screen protectors are a great idea IMO.
I got myself in a good location with natural light. (So I could really see any dust.) Cleaned my screen with a little rubbing alcohol (stuff takes seconds to completely evaporate off) and as quick as I could peeled the protector off its backing and applied. Repeat for the other screen. Doing this I had one bit of dust under one screen. Picked up the corner using packing tape (scotch tape didn't work for me) and got it off. Also had to adjust one of the protectors to remove an air bubble. Pretty painless.
iazybandit
03-20-2007, 12:29 PM
I like using isop. rubbing alcohol with a Q-tip. And the hori screen protectors are a great idea IMO.
I got myself in a good location with natural light. (So I could really see any dust.) Cleaned my screen with a little rubbing alcohol (stuff takes seconds to completely evaporate off) and as quick as I could peeled the protector off its backing and applied. Repeat for the other screen. Doing this I had one bit of dust under one screen. Picked up the corner using packing tape (scotch tape didn't work for me) and got it off. Also had to adjust one of the protectors to remove an air bubble. Pretty painless.
Scotch tape is a hit or miss. If it doesnt lift up, I just keep trying or move the tape over a little. Instead of lifting directly up, its always good to pull the tape while lifting up. Gives it a little extra grip when lifting.
If you still have problems, you can use the top protective cover that you took off to help lift the screen protector by sliding it underneath the corner.