Misty Lights?

[buckster]

Hi...

Ever since owning my T350 I had noticed a small amount of water getting into the front lights when washing it etc. A few weeks back, I paid to have the lenses taken out, cleaned and re-sealed by a chap who fits car windows (used a special glue which will last for ages). The guy did a great job but the offside lense is still misting up, condensation on the inside and for the life of me I can't see how it's getting in.

Anyone else had this problem and can perhaps advise?

Thanks

B.

[SteveO...]

It could be getting in from the wheel arch. My understanding is that the T350 lights are not exactly watertight at the rear.

[Aowhs102]

Thats nothing I have a dead woodlouse in my drivers side light, no idea how the poor little fella got in there though.

[Blue-Lightning]

buckster said:

I paid to have the lenses taken out, cleaned and re-sealed by a chap who fits car windows (used a special glue which will last for ages). The guy did a great job

I need to get mine done, as the nearside has a lot of dust and dirt in it.....who did you use?.....a few that I have asked have said that I may need replacement lens' as they can break when being taken off.

[blackiepaul]

everyone who I talk to tells me that if you take them off to get them resealed they need totally replcing as they will break. I would love to be able to get my rear light looking right. I paid well over a £100 notes to David Gerrald for him to d one of my rears and it is just the same, he has told me he will have another go but I think I will ask for my money back.

[buckster]

Cheers for the comments:

I used a coachworks in Edinburgh called Seafield (they also did an amazing job of fitting the sag rear spoiler at the same time). However, they called in a window glazier to remove and fit the lenses (using special glue), didn't berak on removal and they are for sure not letting water in from the front, must be getting kicked up at the rear (will take wheel off and have a look).

The glazier charged me £40 for removal, cleaning and re-seal - did a great job.

The spoiler to fit was £55 and they told me it was a pain in the arse trying to get the right angle on the back, correct tiny spacer inserted in the top bracket, cutting down the hex bolts to look neat etc and fitting a secure plate on the inside to take the load. All in all, was a great job, looks nice on my chameleon blue TVR.

Cheers

[flying]

Sometimes it can be the front edge of the pod that hasn't sealed quite right that creates the misting, managed to clean up both of my pods from the back when one of the lense dropped if you take the high beam lense out you can just about get your hand in to clean they use the same mastic to seal them as they do with the edges

[TVR Dan]

I've heard drilling a small hole at the bottom helps de-mist on most cars but i'm afraid these are not most cars! Maybe best getting it checked when its misty see if they can find out why?

[tail slide]

TVR Dan said:

I've heard drilling a small hole at the bottom helps de-mist on most cars but i'm afraid these are not most cars! Maybe best getting it checked when its misty see if they can find out why?

Did this recently as quick fix on one light, before full respray/resealing in winter. Does work in recent rainy conditions, but may not in cold weather?

Bit fiddly to do, needed a cable extension on drill, reaching forward from wheelarch panel.

[rolex]

I can thoroughly recommend Automedon for this type of work, they can remove the lenses without breaking them, front and rear. Misting in the rear clusters is caused by trapped moist air being heated up by sunlight. After removing the rear lenses Automedon drilled holes through the back of my light clusters into the boot area. This gives an escape route for the trapped heated air. The holes are undetectable when the lenses are re-attached. Since they did my T350 a couple of years ago, not a trace of condensation has re-appeared.

[tail slide]

rolex said:

I can thoroughly recommend Automedon for this type of work, they can remove the lenses without breaking them, front and rear. Misting in the rear clusters is caused by trapped moist air being heated up by sunlight. After removing the rear lenses Automedon drilled holes through the back of my light clusters into the boot area. This gives an escape route for the trapped heated air. The holes are undetectable when the lenses are re-attached. Since they did my T350 a couple of years ago, not a trace of condensation has re-appeared.

Hi Rolex - good to hear my bodge might work then

I'd second your views of Automedon, very dedicated & thorough guys when they sorted several issues on mine a few years ago