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Painted Headlight Sealing

Old Mar 2, 2010 | 12:51 PM
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Default Painted Headlight Sealing

I recently took apart and painted my headlights. Before sealing, I put silicone into the groove and put the headlights as best as I could before putting it back in the oven. After backing, I pressed them together as best as I could and put more silicone around the edges. After it dried, I installed them. It rained and there was some condensation inside. So I took them off the car and put MORE silicone around the edges, completely sealing any little hole, nothing could get through. I check yesterday, and yet, there is still water/condensation. How in the world can there still be condensation forming? I can't seal it enough. Are there any other holes/cracks I might have caused while taking them apart? I checked for holes and made sure the plugs and seals were all closed properly, dont know the reason for this. For those who have taken apart their OWN headlights and have done this mod before, please let me know how you sealed it and if there was/is any condensation after you were done. Thanks.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 01:03 PM
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there might be holes that you cant see right on the top tip of the headlights.

i have done two set of headlights, and the first set took me 2 attempts to get it condensation free. i learned my lesson on the second set so i actually strip all old silicone out and put a fresh layer of rtv in it. this way is a little more time consumer but the end results speak for itself. it looks 100% oem without all the extra silicone on its side. its been raining like crazy here and still not a drop of condensation.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by kevincat
there might be holes that you cant see right on the top tip of the headlights.

i have done two set of headlights, and the first set took me 2 attempts to get it condensation free. i learned my lesson on the second set so i actually strip all old silicone out and put a fresh layer of rtv in it. this way is a little more time consumer but the end results speak for itself. it looks 100% oem without all the extra silicone on its side. its been raining like crazy here and still not a drop of condensation.
I'd like to know what kind of RTV to use so that when it is heated up you can take it back off? I plan to do the headlights too. Any advice on how to clean all the old sealant out? Thanks friend.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 01:46 PM
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the rtv part number is 81158 you can get it at all the auto stores. make sure to get two tubes. one for each light.

i used straws to clean out the old glue. the easiest way to do it, is get a hot air gun and heat up the glue then use the straw to scoop up the old glue. cut the straws to smaller sizes to work with. (get the straws at mcdonalds) i also used a flat head screwdriver to clean the glue too. what ever method you use, be sure to have a heatgun to melt the glue.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 01:48 PM
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it probably took me 1-2hrs to remove the old glue. but its well worth it since it look so much more presentable and you be sure you wont have old hard glue creating holes when you reseal it.

to be honest, it was kinda fun removing the old glue. once heated, it will slide onto the straw like butter.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 01:59 PM
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Thanks for the useful info and advice friend. ^^
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Old Mar 3, 2010 | 11:25 AM
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thinking of trying to paint my headlights as well.
just curious if any tried using goo gone or some sort of 3M adhesive remover to remove the old silicone? Not sure if any of those work on silicone.

Last edited by vex008; Mar 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM.
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Old Mar 3, 2010 | 12:43 PM
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hmm i don't know. I hardly doubt there are holes left. I completely dumped silicone around the cracks. Maybe I should put more on?
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