How to Make a Laptop Screen Protector
Laptops are typically designed so they work well in all sorts of environments. However, the LCD laptop screen is still very vulnerable to scratches, smudges and marks. You can purchase commercial-grade screen protectors created specifically for your laptop from the manufacturer or computer accessory stores, but these tend to be expensive. It is possible for you to create effective, inexpensive screen protectors for your laptop using materials that you can buy at most hardware and discount department stores.
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Things You'll Need
- 18 square inches of 1/4"-thick foam padding
- 18 square inches of anti-glare Mylar plastic film
- Compressed air canister
- Razor knife
- Ruler or tape measure
Instructions
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Protecting a Closed Laptop Screen
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1
Open the laptop and measure your screen horizontally and vertically.
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2
Lay the padding out flat and measure an area that equals the laptop screen size. Use use razor knife to cut the foam to that size.
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3
Insert the foam between the laptop screen and the keyboard every time you power down the laptop and close the lid.
Protecting an Open Laptop Screen
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4
Open the laptop and measure your screen.
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5
Lay out the plastic film and measure an area that equals the laptop screen size. Cut the film to that size.
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6
Wipe the laptop screen with a clean, dry cloth to remove smearing or fingerprints.
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7
Spray both the laptop screen and the side of the film or sheeting that will touch the screen with compressed air to remove all foreign particles and dust.
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8
Apply the plastic film slowly from the bottom edge to the top to cover the laptop screen. Do not rush, or you may cause air pockets to form between the plastic and the screen.
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9
Gently smooth out any irregularities using light finger pressure that moves from the inside of the screen area to the outer edges.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To remove a screen protector from your laptop screen, affix a piece of adhesive tape to one corner of the mylar film or vinyl sheet and pull up slowly so that the screen protector peels away from the screen.
Never use the foam padding to protect your laptop screen when the laptop is in suspended or sleep states. The heat that still generates from the power in these states could make the foam melt or even catch fire.
Never use sharp objects near or on a laptop screen. You can perforate or nick the LCD screen and completely ruin the laptop display.
Never use water on or around your laptop screen. You can short out delicate components if the water seeps into the casing.
