[elken2004]

I have observed a lot of new people who have joined and jumped straight into the fire with A/G removal without fully reading or researching the subject..

The single most frequent event is damage to the FFC's,

They are very delicate, and are only bonded with an adhesive
They are easily fractured (internal copper tracks) by sharp bending

1....DO NOT AT ANYTIME APPLY TAPE OF ANY DESCRIPTION TO PANEL AND OR FFC's

2....when using water soak method, take your panel and lay it on a towel, this will take away any excess water which escapes. Lay the pcb attached with FFC's, do nothing with it, if there are side tab FFC's, do nothing with them, leave them exposed..

cut several pieces of kitchen towels normally no more than two layers are needed,, but you must lay them such that they, when dry do not goto the very edge of panel,, about 10-15mm from edge, as the towels will expand,, you just have to readjust them after application of water

Use very warm water for your first application, by starting to pour it in the centre area, remove any bubble voids by depressing the towel down, as you go, allow the natural action of (blotting effect) to take the water to edge of panel (avoid pouring near edges) work the wet towel to make full contact with panel (it is these bubbles that have caused stubborn islands while peeling A/G off, and at edges massage the towel to the very edge,,, dont worry about FFC's getting damp, just dont flood them.

The real trick here is to apply more warm water as required the towels should always look real wet,,, but dont cause overflow, or it will get on other side of panel causing spotting probs on it, if it does, simply use a tissue to blot excess away...

NOW DO NOT ATTEMPT under two hours to lift A/G, however 90% of panels will have a clean lift at two hours, the trick is the warm water,, and absolute no bubbles of towel..

At the two hour mark take a stanley knife (exacto) and goto a corner (using a picking action) pick the top layer by teasing it, if it feels stiff, take a closer look, you might be lifting all layers,, when you prod it and it lifts, it should look clear and fairly flexible,, leave the damp towels on the panel while doing this just in case,,

If the corner you have lifted feels right,, continue to peel it evenly and consistantly,, if at any point it wont lift wet the interface between panel and A/G and try to continue,, if no go, goto next corner and repeat,,

now most will come off in one sweep,,, and leave a clean surface on the polariser,, however if not, DONT PANIC,, you can first wet a tissue with warm water and polish the surface,,,,, if that does not work,, you can wet a tissue with acetone and remove any streaks etc, with it,,, and after use a water wet tissue to polish again,,, then breathe on panel, and polish it with a dry tissue,, (good quality type)

NOW AT NO TIME BE ABRASIVE WHILST DOING ANY OF THE ABOVE ACTIONS, as you will certainly scratch the polariser,, Think of its surface like thousands of super fine strands all layed side by side,,, often running at 45 degrees to the panel,,, It will stand upto fairly vigirous polishing,,,, just dont scratch it....

OHH and another DONT is if the A/G sticks anywhere in the middle of panel DO NOT use and sharp object to prise it up,,, You will regret it.....

Now also dont panic if you fail,,, and the polariser does get damaged,,, you can safely and happily replace it with new one.. THE ONE THING YOU CANT REPLACE is a torn FFC..

This post has been edited by elken2004: 23 July 2006 - 12:54 AM

[NuMcA.gr]

Why not cover the FFCs with electrical tape in order to strengthen them?
Have you had any bad experiences with this method?

Also, if one would create a "X" with diagonically placed electrical tape on the water-soaked AntiGlare film, wouldn't it become easier to peel off in one piece?

(PS: i am as noob as it gets...)

[SupraGuy]

No tape, you aren't going to strengthen them, you'll only give more possibility that you'll catch something and tear them, and removal of the tape will always place undue strain on the edge connectors, making it almost certain that you'll damage them.

As for the "X" -- it's not needed. The AG layer should be more than strong enough without any assistance from tape. If the AG layer is in danger of ripping diring removal, it should be soaked more.