Condensation inside rear light cluster lens!
Condensation inside rear light cluster lens!
Author
Discussion

adamrawlings

Original Poster:

27 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Am thinking its a case of mask the bodywork, get a suitable knife out and cut the sealant off from around the lens. Then pick a dry (but not humid) day, wipe the lens clean & fit it back on with some new black sealant (mastic? polysulphide?).

Surely someone out there in Chimland has had this problem & dealt with it effectively?

Would appreciate any advice on this. I've had a '93 starmist green number for a couple of months now. Doing the odd thing to improve matters cosmetically, but this is really bugging me as the car looks fantastic from the rear apart from this!

Cheers,
Adam (Cheltenham)

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

307 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Open boot, pull interior trim from back of lights, blow hairdryer into lights. Job done.

adamrawlings

Original Poster:

27 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Nice one! Well i'll certainly give it a try. Much appreciated

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

307 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
No probs. The black stuff is Sikaflex BTW, if you ever need any.

Podie

46,649 posts

305 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
victormeldrew said:
Open boot, pull interior trim from back of lights, blow hairdryer into lights...


Watch car melt... hehe

pzero64

2,156 posts

271 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
I believe that some people drill a very small hole in the lens cover to help with ventilation. scratchchin

the green hornet

Original Poster:

27 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Have thought of this. But won't that let water in? Or are we talking an extremely small drilled hole __mm dia right at the bottom of the cluster?

pzero64

2,156 posts

271 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
victormeldrew said:
Open boot, remove golf clubs, pull interior trim from back of lights, blow hairdryer into lights. Job done.


pzero64

2,156 posts

271 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
the green hornet said:
Have thought of this. But won't that let water in? Or are we talking an extremely small drilled hole __mm dia right at the bottom of the cluster?



Sorry, I don’t know. Hopefully someone will be along to clarify.

.Mark

11,104 posts

306 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
I thinkShnozz did this, it was onlyy a couple of mm at the bottomof the lens I think. Lets any water drain out but also equalises air temperature behind the lens - drop him a mail, I'm sure he won't mind.


Edited by .Mark on Friday 2nd February 11:25

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

307 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
pzero64 said:
victormeldrew said:
Open boot, remove golf clubs, pull interior trim from back of lights, borrow hairdryer from Griff owner, blow hairdryer into lights. Job done.



bigdods

7,175 posts

257 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Dont drill holes...My chim came with a big hole drilled on one side, but it was too high up so it let water in which then collected in the bottom of the lens. In the summer I am going to upgrade the rear lights and at the same time replace the drilled cover with a new one and reseal both.

tvrbob

11,197 posts

285 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
the green hornet said:
Have thought of this. But won't that let water in? Or are we talking an extremely small drilled hole __mm dia right at the bottom of the cluster?
Drilled mine several years ago. The principle is already used in most mass produced cars. It only needs to be 1mm. The principle is that this hole allows the air inside to equalise with the air outside in respect of humidity and temperature. The hole is so small that water can't pass but water vapour can. Drill it at the lowest point where the body sweeps away from the cover.

I have had complete success with the 1mm hole method and recommend it. Using hot air from the back will vaporise the condensation and if you're lucky it will then sweep the vapour out but this is only a temporary fix.

the green hornet

Original Poster:

27 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Nice one. The hairdryer approach first then, and if that fails then its black & decker time

Red V8

873 posts

257 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
tvrbob said:
the green hornet said:
Have thought of this. But won't that let water in? Or are we talking an extremely small drilled hole __mm dia right at the bottom of the cluster?
Drilled mine several years ago. The principle is already used in most mass produced cars. It only needs to be 1mm. The principle is that this hole allows the air inside to equalise with the air outside in respect of humidity and temperature. The hole is so small that water can't pass but water vapour can. Drill it at the lowest point where the body sweeps away from the cover.

I have had complete success with the 1mm hole method and recommend it. Using hot air from the back will vaporise the condensation and if you're lucky it will then sweep the vapour out but this is only a temporary fix.


Bob's spot on here... I took the same advice years ago and have never had any problems... drill a 1mm dia hole, no water gets in, literally a 5 minute job and lasts for ever...

Nuggs

4,640 posts

264 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
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Podie said:
victormeldrew said:
Open boot, pull interior trim from back of lights, blow hairdryer into lights...


Watch car melt... hehe

laugh

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

307 months

Saturday 3rd February 2007
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far and away the best method is to have a dehumidifier in your garage. I have an Amber Dry and the benefits go way beyond keeping the lenses clear!

bobs4c

314 posts

268 months

Saturday 3rd February 2007
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A garage would be nice

I'll discuss with you tomorrow Adam,

Bob

zumbruk

7,848 posts

290 months

Saturday 3rd February 2007
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Drilling a hole works very well. I've never had any more problems with condensation. I would like to know how to get the tiny little curl of swarf out from inside the light, though.


fibre-ron

112 posts

267 months

Sunday 4th February 2007
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There should be 2 15mm slots cut in to your rear fibreglass light holders and the black edging around your lens covers these holes .The one hole should be in the middle at the top and the other should be at the side near to your number plate.Many of the cars i have done in the past have not had these put in and all had the same problem as you.