Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

5

Time Required

                          1 hour

Sections

1

  • LCD Dust removal
  • 5 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              LCD Dust removal
  • Disassemble iMac LCD panel according to existing guide iMac Intel Repair

Disassemble iMac LCD panel according to existing guide iMac Intel Repair

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Step 2

  • Face the LCD down (be sure to have nothing between the screen and the table) ;
  • Remove 4 screws from the left bracket then 4 screws from the right bracket as displayed (the smallest is at the bottom) ;

Face the LCD down (be sure to have nothing between the screen and the table) ;

Remove 4 screws from the left bracket then 4 screws from the right bracket as displayed (the smallest is at the bottom) ;

Step 3

  • Use a “Putty Knife” to separate brackets from the LCD panel frame as shown ;
  • Use a “Post-It” to keep the adhesive from the frame ;
  • Continue gently between the bracket and the frame ;

Use a “Putty Knife” to separate brackets from the LCD panel frame as shown ;

Use a “Post-It” to keep the adhesive from the frame ;

Continue gently between the bracket and the frame ;

Step 4

  • Using the “Putty Knife” make a groove in the shield around the whole frame ;
  • Once done from the bottom center to the edges of the LCD panel unclip the frame (don’t touch the top). Clips are located at :
  • Bottom left, center, right ;
  • Left bottom, top ;
  • Right bottom, top ;
  • Lift the frame 90° maximum ;

Using the “Putty Knife” make a groove in the shield around the whole frame ;

Once done from the bottom center to the edges of the LCD panel unclip the frame (don’t touch the top). Clips are located at :

Bottom left, center, right ;

Left bottom, top ;

Right bottom, top ;

Lift the frame 90° maximum ;

Step 5

  • Using gloves and a suction cup gently lift the LCD sheet (no more than 90° failing to do so may bend the LCD and cause image displaying issues);
  • Meticulously clean the inside. Do not use any detergent at most a very lightly humidified microfiber / lint-free cloth ;
  • Do not use an air spray as those might leave marks. Best to get rid of dust is a simple hair dryer going from the top center to the edges ;
  • Reassembly is going back those steps making sure to get rid of your finger-prints ;

Using gloves and a suction cup gently lift the LCD sheet (no more than 90° failing to do so may bend the LCD and cause image displaying issues);

Meticulously clean the inside. Do not use any detergent at most a very lightly humidified microfiber / lint-free cloth ;

Do not use an air spray as those might leave marks. Best to get rid of dust is a simple hair dryer going from the top center to the edges ;

Reassembly is going back those steps making sure to get rid of your finger-prints ;

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                                                                                      19 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 3 other contributors 


                    LLange

Member since: 11/25/2013

954 Reputation

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Robert - Feb 16, 2014

Reply

Thank you for this guide! Helped me very much. And now my iMac is clean again :)

Chris Malka - Feb 16, 2014

Reply

I got the screen cleaned and all was well but when I returned everything back to the iMac the lower part of my screen didn’t work…

LLange - Feb 17, 2014

If the backligt is ok but no image check connections :

— To the logic board ;

— Then underneath the protective cover on the top of step 2 image…

If the backlight is not ok check the connector and the cable at the lower right corner of step 2 image.

Beware that if you have bended the LCD you might have damaged it.

Chris Malka - Feb 17, 2014

It sounds like the LCD got bent then because the connections are fine so I just ordered a new LCD. But the guide was definitely helpful, I got the dust out!

LLange - Feb 18, 2014

Sorry about this I’m adding a warning on Step 5 to lift gently and no more than 90° hoping this might prevent others to have the same issue.

P.S. the LCD has an electronic board some times people have flickering issues after the display warmed-up. Thus changing that “inner-board” might solve their issue ⇒ after you receive your new LCD, try to sell the old display “inner-board” as well as the connectors…