Water in tail lights

[Knoobie]

Rain has finally came back after the long dry spell.. Giving us nice cool weathers and flowery sceneries..

 

But with the rain, I noticed one side of my tail light gets to trap water inside it.. not sure how it got in there in the first place..

 

Don't have time to actually investigate too..

 

So I was thinking if any bros here have a good workaround for this problem other than changing the entire assembly?

 

I was thinking of probably drilling a small hole at the tail light so that the water will drain itself.. but doing so, I'm afraid that water may also seep into it and make matter worse..

 

any good suggestions??

[Mockngbrd]

Ya, drill a hole at the bottom

[TVT]

Use masking tape to seal off the opening in which the water can slip into the tail light assembly.

[Bornno1]

if u wanna do a proper job, dismantle your tailights and check the rubber seals on the bulb connectors.

Then buy those silicone paste from any hardware shops and go 1 round on the tail lamps seams. dont need to pry open.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Bornno1

[Bobucw]

if u wanna do a proper job, dismantle your tailights and check the rubber seals on the bulb connectors.

Then buy those silicone paste from any hardware shops and go 1 round on the tail lamps seams. dont need to pry open.

 

,........yah, but don't forget to put a fish inside first before you seal it up... heehee,.... plastic one hor,... dun kill a real fissh.

[Watwheels]

Usually tail lights are held by a couple of screws. Just unscrew them and remove the tail light assembly. Find out where the leak is and seal it with silicone sealants. You can easily get them from DIY home fix stores in shopping mall. Ask the sales person for sealants to stop water leaks and they will know what to show you.

 

Here's an example. It's not rocket science.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzbWIdQrpU0

 

 

I suggest you do not drill a hole unless you are confident. You might just create a huge crack if you suck at drilling. You are drilling acrylic and not metal, chances of the plastic giving way is high.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Watwheels

[Super7]

Masking tape ---- This will be quite unsightly. Maybe use expoxy glue to seal the crack? It lasts more than 7 years till now for my car!! For gaps between removable parts --- use silicon seal.

Repeat

Edited April 11, 2014 by Super7

[Knoobie]

Use masking tape to seal off the opening in which the water can slip into the tail light assembly.

No time to dismantle and check where is the leak leh.. :(

Ya, drill a hole at the bottom

any particular size of drill bit to recommend?

 

Usually tail lights are held by a couple of screws. Just unscrew them and remove the tail light assembly. Find out where the leak is and seal it with silicone sealants. You can easily get them from DIY home fix stores in shopping mall. Ask the sales person for sealants to stop water leaks and they will know what to show you.

 

Here's an example. It's not rocket science.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzbWIdQrpU0

 

 

I suggest you do not drill a hole unless you are confident. You might just create a huge crack if you suck at drilling. You are drilling acrylic and not metal, chances of the plastic giving way is high.

cracking the plastic is one of the reason that is holding me back too..

 

but I did once a simple visual inspection and couldn't find where could be there place that water seeps in..

 

i've never tried using silicone before so i'm afraid the output will be disastrous too..

 

but seems like that is the best and safest bet I have..

Masking tape ---- This will be quite unsightly. Maybe use expoxy glue to seal the crack? It lasts more than 7 years till now for my car!! For gaps between removable parts --- use silicon seal.

Repeat

epoxy can also ar? I thought it's use as adhesive only.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Knoobie

[Watwheels]

Drilling a hole is not recommended as moisture and water will corrode/short circuit your electrical circuit and light bulb over time. Your circuits might just go heywire and you will have a even bigger headache. Are you using aftermarket tail lights? If you are go and change back to stock. If you are lazy just get other ppl to do it. I dunno who. Or find out where got sell cheap made in taiwan tail lights.

 

Youtube got plenty of video demo to teach you how to use the silicone sealant to seal their headlights & tail lights. If you can't see where the leak is just go thru all the gaps. I saw some ppl use a syringe to apply the silicone in very narrow gaps. It won't dry immediately like super glue so you have no worries and take your time.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Watwheels

[TVT]

Masking tape ---- This will be quite unsightly. Maybe use expoxy glue to seal the crack? It lasts more than 7 years till now for my car!! For gaps between removable parts --- use silicon seal.

Repeat

 

Sure can last >7 years anot ?

 

Most relationships can hardly last >7 years with temptations, and lust existing in this world, you know! It is aka : "The 7 Years Itch".

[TVT]

No time to dismantle and check where is the leak leh.. :(

No time then find time lah. Otherwise get someone else to do it for you, maybe a WS mechanic....

[Super7]

 

Sure can last >7 years anot ?

 

Most relationships can hardly last >7 years with temptations, and lust existing in this world, you know! It is aka : "The 7 Years Itch".

Wa lao eh, patching cracks in tail light ends up a relationship problem!!! If major repairs ------> ORGY??!!! LOL.

[Super7]

No time to dismantle and check where is the leak leh.. :(

 

any particular size of drill bit to recommend?

 

 

cracking the plastic is one of the reason that is holding me back too..

 

but I did once a simple visual inspection and couldn't find where could be there place that water seeps in..

 

i've never tried using silicone before so i'm afraid the output will be disastrous too..

 

but seems like that is the best and safest bet I have..

 

epoxy can also ar? I thought it's use as adhesive only.

I chose epoxy to seal the crack as its less visible and attracts less dirt stains than silicon. So far it's still doing it's job.