Introduction
Removing the display requires cutting through the adhesive around the perimeter of the screen. After the adhesive is cut, it cannot be used to re-seal the display in place, so you'll need to apply a new set of adhesive strips.
What you need
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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If you are re-using your existing display, you must also remove the old adhesive from the back of the display.
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Peel off the old strips of adhesive using tweezers or your fingers. Start at the bottom and peel upward towards the top of the device.
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After all the old adhesive is removed, carefully clean the area under the adhesive with 90% (or greater) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Wipe in one direction, not back and forth.
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Start with the strip labeled 3 (or 03), which goes on the right vertical side of the rear enclosure.
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Peel the short piece of backing off the back of the strip.
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Insert the tip of a spudger into the hole at the end of the strip from the side that still has a backing on it.
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With the spudger still poking through the hole in the adhesive strip, push the spudger tip into the corresponding hole in the frame of the iMac.
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Using the hole and spudger to anchor the position of the adhesive strip, line the strip up against the right edge, gently pulling up against the spudger to ensure the strip is taut, and stick it onto the frame.
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Once you've aligned the bottom half of the adhesive strip, peel the longer piece of backing out from behind the strip.
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Align the upper half of the strip with the right edge of the rear enclosure, and stick it down.
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Use your finger to smooth Strip 3 along the right edge. Make sure it is neatly aligned with the right side of the frame and that it sits flat.
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Work your way counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the iMac, adding three more adhesive strips in the same manner:
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Strip 2 on the top right
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Strip 1 on the top left
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Strip 5 on the left vertical
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Grasp the red film pull tab on the 4R adhesive strip and pull to remove the backing from the strip.
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Align the strip on the bottom edge of the rear enclosure, directly to the right of the middle screw on that edge.
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Run your finger along the length of the adhesive strip to ensure it is straight and unwrinkled, pressing down as you go to adhere the strip to the iMac.
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Repeat the previous step for the 4L adhesive strip, placing it along the left half of the bottom edge of the iMac.
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Use painter's tape or masking tape to temporarily secure the bottom edge of the display to the iMac's enclosure.
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If you've already verified that your iMac is working correctly and are ready to seal it up, skip to Step 17.
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Insert the display power cable into its socket on the logic board.
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Use a pair of tweezers or your other hand to gently insert the display data cable connector into its socket on the logic board.
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Secure the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable downwards towards the logic board.
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After confirming that your iMac functions properly, disconnect the display cables and carefully lean the display forward.
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Remove the film from the 4R strip by reaching in from above and pulling the tab straight up from the bottom edge of the display.
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Repeat the previous two steps to remove the protective film from all the remaining adhesive strip pairs (labeled 2, 3, and 5).
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Remove the tape securing the display to the rear enclosure.
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To ensure a strong bond, carefully tip the iMac flat on its back (with the screen facing straight up) and press carefully but firmly around all four edges of the display.
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