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I’ve opened up a late 2012 iMac to replace the stock HDD with a Samsung Evo SSD. The computer was up and running and I restored everything etc. But after removing the old adhesive and putting on the new double sided adhesive tape from iFixit, the screen feel off, not one but 2x (I used new adhesive each time and removed most of the old adhesive as well). Is there any trick to get the display to bond with the iMac frame/desktop itself? I’m getting worried about the display cracking and it’s generally frustrating to keep spending money rebuying new adhesive. I used the included suction cups the 2nd time around, hoping that the pressure of those would help the screen and frame bond firmly & securely… but had no luck with that method obviously. Thanks very much in advance for any tips and suggestions!
I always use the cut strips and I don’t have displays falling off! I don’t recommend using Tesa tape which is great stuff but! Is not designed to be removable in the same way. The iMac tapes are designed so the pizza cutter is able to break the adhesion. So why are you have a problem?? How you clean the surfaces is the key here! Rubbing alcohol or cheap isopropyl alcohol have impurities which leave a film on the surface which interferes with the adhesion! I always use reagent quality isopropyl alcohol 85% or better after I’ve used another solvent to remove the adhesive. I use Goof Off Or other Citrus oil based Cleaner after scrapping the tape off using a Plastic Razor Blade but only on the metal case side. I use a micro cloth strip wrapped over the blade which has been wetted with the Goof Off. Which is based on a natural solvent from orange peel called d-limonene. I then go over the surfaces again with the same approach a fresh cloth strip using the isopropyl alcohol. In addition I apply a bit pressure and mild heat to the edge after setting the glass. I also use a rubber roller to help press the display into the tape I also leave the screen in the up position (on its back) for the night so the weight of the screen is pressing down.
Be super careful if you are using plastic razor blades - if you go too hard on the back of the screen (the black sections on the edge where residue will be left) you can cause scoring of the tint. I also used the wrong cleaner in this area too - I used alcohol screen wipes which (with too much rubbing by me) caused some very light tint removal in a couple of places. Just use the goo gone as per above take your time with a cotton swab and the sticky stuff will come off. Re the tint damage (it’s hardly visible) but I’m thinking a black marker may fix this, anyone any suggestions? Does mean will have to redo the whole thing again but practice makes….
This has happened to me after purchasing the 2017 27" kit which iFixit sent with the 2015 adhesive strips, which are different. They said this would be fine, but the screen fell off about a month after replacing and completely shattered. I have contacted iFixit about this but may also reach out to some repair youtubers because I dont feel like this is acceptable - I’ve lost a device because they sent the wrong strips.
I have had issues with 4 screens after using the iFixit kits, do not recommend at all I have used the recommended methods and still don’t understand how or why this happens all of the sudden and iFixit told me that they were not aware of others having the issue. I have probably done 100 imacs and only recently have been having issues and now it makes me look bad and is costing me thousands in repairs
Hi Matthew - I have followed the iFixIt instructions twice for the iMac screen’s disassembly/assembly verbatim. To no avail. My customer has had the screen fall off twice! I was very embarrassed and eventually had to buy a used iMac for them. I used 91% isopropyl alcohol to remove the adhesive (twice) and used iFixIt’s adhesion strips for re-assembly. What is absolutely miraculous is that the screen is fine despite (during one of the two failures) it falling 3 feet to the floor from a desk! No cracks/dings - nothing! The video cables were fine as well which absolutely stunned me! I have decided to sell the iMac noting to the future buyer that the screen needs to be re-attached. I am giving up on iMacs from this point forward for repairs.
ok..all plastics strips are not good enough on their own eventually, or so we have found. Some steps to make it more resistant. If you havent added a working sensor to your new ssd, make sure you install macs fan control to reduce the heat as all machines use the chassis to dissapate the heat which obviously warms the glue to the point of not working. use Gorilla epoxy glue (a dab in top corners) to additionally keep the screen glued in plus the sticky tapes - epoxy can reach over 90deg c without losing adhesion. Epoxy if small dabs can still be cut with the plastic wheel cutter job done…good luck and enjoy no more broken screens.
