Notices
Exterior & Interior 350Z Body modification, interior styling and lighting

Headlight Moisture Solution

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2005 | 01:26 PM
  #1  
bmxox's Avatar
bmxox
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default Headlight Moisture Solution

Alright now I know this topic has been on here a few times but in most cases I found searching, when someone had moisture in their lights, it was covered by warranty or something and they got new lights. In my case, I opened my lights up to paint them and tint the amber strip. Everything went fine, painted everything, waited a day before I put them back together, waited another to let the silicone dry before taking outside and putting back on the car.

After about 3 days I saw a lot of condensation and moisture in the lights, its hasnt gone away since, been at least 2 months. Ive seen some people say that you need to leave a place for the headlights to basically "breathe" but how do you go about doing this without allowing the water to just come in when it rains. I want to reseal them again probably next weekend but wondering what I should do. I used a tube of black rtv silicone from autozone, is there something else I should try instead? Any help and opinions appreciated.

(I've done 2 other sets of headlights on different cars using the same procedure and materials I did here and had absolutlely no problems, wondering maybe I just didnt get a good seal this time around?)
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2005 | 02:38 PM
  #2  
Z1 Performance's Avatar
Z1 Performance
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (564)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19,266
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, New York
Default

if you leave a place for it to "breath" it will also contribute to more condensation

your seal is at fault - I would redo it
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2005 | 02:41 PM
  #3  
bmxox's Avatar
bmxox
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by Z1 Performance
if you leave a place for it to "breath" it will also contribute to more condensation

your seal is at fault - I would redo it

Those were my thought exactly but some people said otherwise. T

he rtv silicone is whats best to use correct? The silicone to me still seems goey like it didnt dry all the way, I dont know if maybe I picked up the wrong kind this time but it didnt dry to the same texture as I remember in the past.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2005 | 02:45 PM
  #4  
Z1 Performance's Avatar
Z1 Performance
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (564)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19,266
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, New York
Default

the silicone will remain gooey - I don't know if RTV is the best stuff to use - I forget what they seal windshields with, that is what I'd use (black stuff)
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2005 | 03:42 PM
  #5  
bmxox's Avatar
bmxox
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

Alright I was thinking about going with that stuff this time, I know the rtv stays a little goey but this time around it seemed extra gluey, and if I push on the lens/housing it seems to ooze out a little bit. Ill go with the windshield sealant this time around. Thanks.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
etkms
Engine & Drivetrain
29
Jun 19, 2022 06:30 PM
Uriyo_
Exterior & Interior
22
Sep 8, 2021 08:46 AM
Dsowe
Exterior & Interior
15
Feb 17, 2021 10:38 AM
JGee450
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
4
Sep 30, 2015 04:32 AM
Kilroy.Bukowski
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
23
Sep 26, 2015 11:24 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:51 AM.