Help me find a PDA screen protector, please!

September 10, 2005 1:35 PM

I need help locating a source for lightly textured (as opposed to glossy) PDA screen protectors or a similar material in bulk, but it seems like everything out there is glossy and clear! I don't use them on a PDA, but as replaceable surfaces on my laptop's touchpad so I'm open to trying something other than a screen protector. Any ideas?

You know how laptop touchpads get kind of smooth and worn after a while? I hate that. I really, really, really hate that. So instead I've been steadily going through my supply of old Concept Kitchen WriteRights, which I cut out and place on the touchpad of my laptop to absorb finger wear. Concept Kitchen has since sold out to a company called Fellowes that continues to make a product called WriteRight, but it's glossy and clear and not at all the same thing. If I wanted a glossy touchpad surface, I'd just let the thing wear down!

I have no idea where I could source the raw materials for one of these things. Any sheet of slightly textured, thin vinyl with a mild adhesive would do the job, but those old WriteRights were perfect. I only have a couple of these things left, and they're only good for a few months at a time with heavy usage. What should I be using now?

posted by majick to computers & internet (8 comments total)

Ikea has rolls of static-cling window frosting kits. Polypropylene with a frosted texture but, unfortunately, no adhesive. Something like that might work with a bit of adhesive.
posted by nathan_teske at 2:06 PM on September 10, 2005

It's difficult to tell from the picture, but I suspect that's a bit thick. Next time I'm near IKEA I'll make sure to check it out to be sure. Thanks!

Anyone else? I can't be the last person on Earth left who uses these things!
posted by majick at 3:50 PM on September 10, 2005

I've seen contact paper with a rough finish. It might work. I used to use scotch brand frosted tape on the input area of my palm pilot and it worked nicely, but I think it would be hard to find any wide enough for a touch pad.
posted by Good Brain at 5:24 PM on September 10, 2005

Try Rippedsheets, they're awesome. The selection is staggering, but options might include:

103150 Matte Clear Polyester Self Adhesive
102400 Color Laser Matte Clear (Frosty) Polyester Self Adhesive
or even
100800 Clear Tattoo Film Self Adhesive

They'll send you free samples, then you could even have them cut to fit exactly. :D

What happens if you take a fine-grit sandpaper to the glossy stuff, I wonder?
posted by trevyn at 5:30 PM on September 10, 2005

The finish of 3M Scotch tape is almost exactly what I'm looking for (and would be better, even, than the WriteRights I'm using now!) however the adhesive on Scotch tape is way too strong and leaves too much residue for long-term use.

I'll check out Rippedsheets; if I'm lucky they'll suggest a material.
posted by majick at 7:39 PM on September 10, 2005

When I worked at a library, we covered books in this mylar stuff that fits your description perfectly. It was like scotch tape in a giant roll, so you could lay out big sheets of it. I'm not sure who manufactured it. My guess would be 3M. Try Michael's or a similar craft/art supply store.
posted by odinsdream at 8:38 PM on September 10, 2005

Thanks odinsdream. I'll go poke around a store like that this afternoon. In your experience was the mylar stuff you used backed with a relatively mild adhesive? That is, would it peel reasonably well from, say, a plastic surface without residue? I'd like to be able to replace the surface on a somewhat regular basis without having to really hack away at the tape.
posted by majick at 7:46 AM on September 11, 2005

The IKEA stuff was five bucks a roll, is actually exactly the right thickness, and has no adhesive whatsoever. It doesn't stick (it only adheres to high-gloss surfaces like glass or, after some experimentation, packing tape). The textured side feels a bit slippery, almost greasy, probably not an ideal touchpad surface.

Rippedsheets is sending samples, and I'm going to try various contact papers and such. Thanks, everyone!
posted by majick at 4:52 PM on September 12, 2005