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I have a small computer repair shop, and install a lot of SSDs in iMacs. A year or so ago I searched for an alternative to iFixit adhesive strip kits, because they are quite expensive. I ended up buying this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3pcs-Dou… This went well, until today: a customer called me saying their iMac screen fell off. I had installed the screen just a month ago. It cracked falling out, and of course I’ll be paying for the replacement. So now I’m looking for an alternative adhesive. Preferably a large roll of the exact adhesive Apple uses, but barring that, a not crazy priced roll of tape that will reliably hold the heavy (and expensive) iMac screens in place. People who open up several iMacs per day - what do you use? Update (12/06/2018) If somebody finds this via Google, I found the original Apple adhesive strips. They’re packaged in bundles of 20, and are even cheaper than the iFixit ones: http://applecomponents.com - LCD Service refill kit with tool, iMac 21.5 4K 2017 The part numbers are: 076-00331 076-00009 They can also be found on eBay.
This is not the cheaper option, but you can buy this adhesive here that iFixit sells for iMacs. Probably the best and strongest option but not the cheapest. (not really what you asked for but just throwing this option out there) iMac Intel 27" (2012-2019) Adhesive Strips The less expensive, but more risky option is Tesa tape. You can buy reasonably sized rolls and you can choose the thickness of it too. But you may have a had time opening the system later! Tesa 61395 Tape
I too have been worried about the screen falling off if the adhesive strips turn out to be low-quality. So I took the precaution of internally using a cable tie coupled with two adhesive-backed cable tie-downs (like what you would use to fix Ethernet to a skirting board) so that if the screen should become detached, it can only fall forward maybe two inches before being restrained by the cable tie (http://macs2u.co.uk/imac-screen-restrain...). Hope that idea is useful to folk, could save serious embarrassment and expenditure.
Hi all - old thread I know, I was hoping someone notices the post :-) There are some double sided alternatives I can buy, 3M and Tesa. Does anyone know the meat thickness of the “official” self adhesive strips used for iMacs? Would 1 mm thickness be OK? The reason I am asking is, Tesa’s 0.25 mm thickness band did not give a great result after SSD upgrade. there is some play on the top section of where the display meets the iMac chassis. Thanks to anyone for the answer about the meat thickness of the self-adhesive strips (you know the labeled ones cut to the shape of iMac screen). PS. Further research indicates “VHB strips are a very thin layer of foam between two self adhesive plastic strips.” - That explains the play I am experiencing - I used a thin, transparent double-sided Tesa tape, almost like scotch band, which does not have the foam sandwiched in between. OK, search continues for VHB type but as thin as possible :-) PSS. 3M 5952 is 1.1mm and 5925 is 0.64mm. Will probably go with 5925 if I can find it locally.
Has anyone ever used a small thin bead of hot glue?
