Discussion
It appears that the silicon sealant around the rear light shroud is becoming porous and a swimming pool is forming in between the light cluster and the shroud. I have picked up some new sealant from B&Q but am worried about the best way to apply it as the results will be highly visible. Anyone done this before? Helpful tips please?
Not done it on mine but will be doing so in the next few weeks.
I watched a certian independant make a lousy effort at re-doing mine - twice - so I know the theroy.
Use a sharp blade to cut away the old sealant and when the lens is off completly clean both surfaces.
Then apply the sealant to the aperture on the body and also some on the lens and press firmly in to place (don't apply too much as it will squash out inside a lot and look a real mess) then just finish off around the outside using a wet finger or spoon, but I find you get a real good seal and finish if you run a lint free cloth covered in white spirit or similar.
Don't worry too much about the stuff that goes on to the paint, leave for 24 hours and tidy up the paintwork when it has gone off.
I did email the guy who did mine to advise him that he may have some duff sealant as it started to show tiny holes after just a few days and was leaking again inside a week, now some 6 months later, the sealant has shrunk and there is a gap around the edge in places.
Pity he didn't have the courtesy to reply to my mail, even if it was to tell me to
off!
I watched a certian independant make a lousy effort at re-doing mine - twice - so I know the theroy.
Use a sharp blade to cut away the old sealant and when the lens is off completly clean both surfaces.
Then apply the sealant to the aperture on the body and also some on the lens and press firmly in to place (don't apply too much as it will squash out inside a lot and look a real mess) then just finish off around the outside using a wet finger or spoon, but I find you get a real good seal and finish if you run a lint free cloth covered in white spirit or similar.
Don't worry too much about the stuff that goes on to the paint, leave for 24 hours and tidy up the paintwork when it has gone off.
I did email the guy who did mine to advise him that he may have some duff sealant as it started to show tiny holes after just a few days and was leaking again inside a week, now some 6 months later, the sealant has shrunk and there is a gap around the edge in places.
Pity he didn't have the courtesy to reply to my mail, even if it was to tell me to
off!I've done it ... and explained how in a previous thread. Here's a copy.
It' very easy, whole thing takes about an hour. Break the seal with a stanley knife and lift the lense out. Take the residual goo off with a very blunt knife and then white spirit. Run a thick bead of silicone round the car side and then push your lens back on. You need to guage how much silicone to recreate that seal as one side is much wider than the other ..... I just ran two beads down the fatter side so that when I pushed the lens back on the expanding goo filled the seal fully.
The only thing I found was that when I took the lens off there was a very neat black film attached to it to give that perfect finish. I couldn't work out what it was made from so didn't attempt to replace it. If you look very closely my edge inside the lens is not quite as perfect as it was. However, it's totally waterproofed and doesn't mist up at all.
The silicone on the link above wipes off with your finger for about 30 mintes so there's no panic if you get it on the lens or bodywork. A cloth with white spirit did the trick.
This is the silicone I used very successfully. No leaks at all afterwards :
www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/b/BITHA6/
>> Edited by NigeW on Thursday 18th December 09:01
It' very easy, whole thing takes about an hour. Break the seal with a stanley knife and lift the lense out. Take the residual goo off with a very blunt knife and then white spirit. Run a thick bead of silicone round the car side and then push your lens back on. You need to guage how much silicone to recreate that seal as one side is much wider than the other ..... I just ran two beads down the fatter side so that when I pushed the lens back on the expanding goo filled the seal fully.
The only thing I found was that when I took the lens off there was a very neat black film attached to it to give that perfect finish. I couldn't work out what it was made from so didn't attempt to replace it. If you look very closely my edge inside the lens is not quite as perfect as it was. However, it's totally waterproofed and doesn't mist up at all.
The silicone on the link above wipes off with your finger for about 30 mintes so there's no panic if you get it on the lens or bodywork. A cloth with white spirit did the trick.
This is the silicone I used very successfully. No leaks at all afterwards :
www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/b/BITHA6/
>> Edited by NigeW on Thursday 18th December 09:01
NigeW said:
I've done it ... and explained how in a previous thread. Here's a copy.
It' very easy, whole thing takes about an hour. Break the seal with a stanley knife and lift the lense out. Take the residual goo off with a very blunt knife and then white spirit. Run a thick bead of silicone round the car side and then push your lens back on. You need to guage how much silicone to recreate that seal as one side is much wider than the other ..... I just ran two beads down the fatter side so that when I pushed the lens back on the expanding goo filled the seal fully.
The only thing I found was that when I took the lens off there was a very neat black film attached to it to give that perfect finish. I couldn't work out what it was made from so didn't attempt to replace it. If you look very closely my edge inside the lens is not quite as perfect as it was. However, it's totally waterproofed and doesn't mist up at all.
The silicone on the link above wipes off with your finger for about 30 mintes so there's no panic if you get it on the lens or bodywork. A cloth with white spirit did the trick.
This is the silicone I used very successfully. No leaks at all afterwards :
www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/b/BITHA6/
>> Edited by NigeW on Thursday 18th December 09:01
NigeW ... cheers for the info. Two questions though, can this stuff be used for the front lights too? I assume so. and secondly, is it available in any high street stores, B&Q for example?
Cheers
I bought it off the internet, I think two tubes and delivery were around £10. I didn't do the front lights, but I don't see why you couldn't. It cured within 24 hours and showed no signs of lifting or leaking again. I've sold the car since, so cannot comment on how it's holding up, but it looked so much better without steamed up rear lights.
You can get the stuff in Halfords in either tubes or a pressurised can. I have used both and quite like the can as it pushed the silicon out evenly. With the tube however you have to squeeze evenly to get a consistant bead.
It depends on how good you are at squeezing.
David
>> Edited by david010167 on Thursday 18th December 15:34
It depends on how good you are at squeezing.
David
>> Edited by david010167 on Thursday 18th December 15:34
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