Re-sticking wires inside of Retina MacBook Pro.

The reason I didn't complete the job was everyone was saying it was impossible to get the rivets back in, so I reassembled it and ordered screws from eBay. When I get them, I'll try again.

Don't worry, I didn't pull off any connectors, the only mistake really was that I forgot to disconnect the backlight before removing the logic board, and I suppose removing a part or two I didn't need to. Anyway, I tore that cable. Luckily the new keyboard also came with a backlight of its own.

Will the rubber cement be significantly stronger than the original "sticky"? I'd want it to be possible to remove the parts without ripping them.

If you use one (not three) coats of auto cement it will not hold as firm as on automobiles. Silicone also works. Strong is a relative term... how many times do you anticipate stripping that box? Another alternative is double sticky tape, either the light (paper), or the thick (carpet/rug) holding kind.

I don't anticipate stripping it again, but I want it to be possible without causing irreversible damage. I figured as close as possible to the way it came out of the factory was a good ideal for the adhesive strength. I do have silicone from a less invasive repair attempt. It's a sealant thought, not "glue". I guess I can try that.

Realistically, what would happen if I took it in for service for a different problem? Would they tell me I don't owe anything, but then notice the undocumented work, then demand the money before they continued the repair?

I don't work for Apple - major mucking about inside generllay will void your warranty.