Where can I get the iPhone 3G/3GS touch panel adhesive & why do I need it?

You dropped your iPhone 3G/3GS and cracked the touch screen. After some run around at the apple store about cracked screens not covered under warranty you decide to fix it yourself. You watch the free pdaparts.com repair video on YouTube. While ordering the iPhone 3G Touch Panel you notice they recommend an adhesive kit. You wonder if this item is really required or are they just trying to get you to spend more money on an unnecessary item?

While doing the iPhone 3G/3GS touch screen replacement there is a step when you remove the broken touch screen and go to install the new digitizer that you will need an adhesive kit to keep the touch panel adhered to the frame. Most of the time the old adhesive that was used by the factory comes off with the broken iPhone 3G/3GS touch screen when you remove it. We recommend that you clean the entire old adhesive off and install the new adhesive kit you purchased from us part number 822-4034. The kit is a special laser cut 3M adhesive made to fit precisely around the top and bottom areas of the iPhone 3G/3GS frame. It is the only way to keep the touch panel from coming loose after you put the iPhone 3G/3GS back together. This is a must have kit for anyone doing this repair.

Many companies recommend you use epoxy, this is messy and can ruin your home button and does not last. Others suggest the use of superglue, which after time can let out gas and ruin your LCD screen which will be a bigger repair and cost more.

The new iPhone 3G/3GS Adhesive Kit is the ONLY safe way to install the iPhone 3G/3GS Touch Panel replacement correctly!

So you broke your iPhone or iPod and you want to open it up and take a look inside or maybe even repair it. You find the parts you need but notice that there are some special tools like a plastic case opener tool part number XX1521 shown in the directional videos you watched. Then you look around the Internet and see that some web sites are recommending a Metal Spudger. You wonder which tool is the best one for the job.

Lets go over each tool and then you can decide:

Case Opener Tool (Part Number XX1521):
First we have to say that there are different types of plastic case opener tools and they vary in quality, plastic type and build. There are some that are very flimsy and the tip on them is very thin which make them useless or only good for one use. The ones we carry at pdaparts.com are high quality and durable plastic. We use these tools daily in repairs and only sell quality tools. You might also notice that the tool we sell is 2 sided, so it is like getting 2 tools in one. Just like all plastic they will wear down and this is another reason we sell the double-sided tool which gives you twice the life span.

The Metal Spudger:
The metal spudger tool looks like something that would be used in a dental office. It looks like some one took and existing tool and adapted it to use for opening iphone and ipod units. We have tried this tool on some of the test units we have and lets just say it is metal scratching metal. It damaged the case on both the iPhone and iPod we have. The other companies that sell these even say the following and I quote “can easily scratch your iPod or iPhone.” So why would you want to use this on your shiny new or almost new iPhone or iPod? The iPhone and iPod get enough scratches just from normal wear no need to add more.

and the Winner is: Case Opener Tool (Part Number XX1521)