[Xperia Z General] Quickmcj:
Reasonable solution to adhesive problem

Dear Xperia Z users

I considered upgrading to Xperia Z3 only because of this problem but with 4.4.4 (and Android L incoming) the Xperia Z is still very nice, so I looked into a solution to solve the adhesive problem.

I have had the same problem and temporarily fixed the problem with new original adhesive, but as others have pointed out it will not last for very long. There is too much hardware in place around the NFC connection area so that the top left corner will lift from the force or in combination with heat from the (sometimes overheated) CPU.

You can glue the phone (Special glue for plastic/glass), but it will be impossible to remove the backcover without the glass breaking and water resistance might be difficult to guarantee. Also when such a type of glue cures, it will become brittle.

As the adhesive simply is not strong enough and give away when the temperature goes up, we have to find a similar product, but one which is stronger, does not weaken when temperatures get high and is unaffected by water. As this phone is very flexible and can twist a lot, we also need to find a material which is equally flexible after curing.

Most of you will know this product already but for those who do not: Sugru (Look it up on Google, I am not allowed to post links as new user on XDA)

Sugru is like clay in your hands for 30 minutes and will become like rubber when fully cured. Sugru can operate in temperatures from -50 to 150 degree Celsius, is flexible after curing and very strong which we as Xperia Z users are very interested in :)

I have successfully used black Sugru instead of the adhesive mask, the cover is fully in place, does not lift when heating the phone, twisting the phone or similar. As added benefit, you cannot see the fix, the black Sugru seal blends in with the black poly-carbonate frame of the Xperia Z. Any excess Sugru can be removed from the glass backcover easily.

Sugru guide:

Carefully remove backcover with proper tools (suction cup, apply heat, plastic prying tools)

Clean the backcover and frame from adhesive mask and dust.

Place Sugru all along the frame so that you have Sugru on the side and bottom of the frame (See attached photo). Be careful that you do not apply too much so that the inside of your phone gets messy. Sugru is non-conducting btw. On the other hand, you will want a complete seal so that you phone is once again water resistant.

When you have Sugru all along the frame push your backcover down in place.

Remove any excess Sugru from your backcover with a cloth or similar.

Let Sugru cure for 24 hours. You might want to clamp it down into the frame or place objects on the whole backside.

Enjoy your water resistant Xperia Z once again :)

I take no responsibility if you break your phone in this process. Please note: Sugru is pretty strong, so strong that it might not be possible to remove the backcover, with similar outcome as if it was glued. The difference from gluing, is that the backcover might still be possible to remove without breaking, the bond is flexible as the phone and that it will blend in with the color of the frame. For other colors of Xperia Z, there is white Sugru or you could mix your own color. Also please do not use "excessive" force at the top of the phone, the internal earpiece speaker might dislodge itself. I had a problem where I could not hear people when using the earpiece speaker, but luckily the problem was only temporarily. The earpiece speaker uses spring loaded connections to the motherboard, if too much force is applied, they will lift from the motherboard and might not connect again.