Foggy tail light lense

[clean_86]

I have quite a bit of moisture in the my left tail light. Whats the secret to getting the clear lense off & re sealing it? I figure when I get this done I can check all connections, clean and hit all sockets with dielectric grease.
:help:

My brake light bulb on my dash is on, all brake lights are working.... :dunno:


I searched this and didn't see much directly related to foggy tail lights. I know its more of a fairly common issue, maybe its just that easy that nobody else asks before tackling it, like I do....... **DuH** Just cuz, I'm too busy to chase my tail around in circles! =D

Thanks in advance for your help! Ya'all rock!

[clean_86]

WoW!! My signature is HUGE! Guess I should look into resizing it?!?!

[niles]

The clear outer lens is glued to the rest of the housing with a tar-like black goo. It han be softened with boiling water and dismantled, look for threads on that and removing the colored inside parts. I'm sure most of the issues are from the seal, small cracks, or improperly inserted bulbs.

[clean_86]

look for threads on that and removing the colored inside parts.

Come to think of it... I did see that thread, but failed to recognize what I was looking at as the pics were only after all was separated.
I'll have to try and do this, makes my super clean little car look kinda tired and worn out =/


Once I get the moisture taken care of I may look into smoking the tail lights.... We'll see.

[niles]

Smoke deff looks best if you can apply it to the inside of the clear lens :)

Be extremely careful and patient when separating the lens, it is very easy to crack the plastic by trying to open it too quickly. It will separate a little bit at a time and take lots of hot water. Make sure to research the best way to reseal the tailight too, I have not heard a whole lot of discussion about how people reseal them. I would use "3M Windoweld" personally, but haven't had the chance to try it yet. You can get it from Autozone and other parts stores, it's what is used by auto manufacturers to glue in modern windshileds that don't use weather stripping.

[charliekuney]

The clear outer lens is glued to the rest of the housing with a tar-like black goo. It han be softened with boiling water and dismantled, look for threads on that and removing the colored inside parts. I'm sure most of the issues are from the seal, small cracks, or improperly inserted bulbs.

This.


Once I get the moisture taken care of I may look into smoking the tail lights.... We'll see.


Smoke deff looks best if you can apply it to the inside of the clear lens :)

Smoked lights look terrible on any car, any color, especially Hondas, especially old cars, especially especially old Hondas. :rice:

[Dr_Snooz]

Please don't melt your tail lights. Try searching for "condensation in tail lights (http://www.3geez.com/forum/search.php?searchid=21164)" instead.

[clean_86]

Please don't melt your tail lights. Try searching for "condensation in tail lights (http://www.3geez.com/forum/search.php?searchid=21164)" instead.


Not too much info to be found.... I will find my own magical formula to resolve this issue, and when I do I may share my secret.


Unfortunately, this weekend I get to work on my truck instead.... Just as I was getting ready to go get a cord of firewood, smelled coolant. Water Pump was weeping. I got off cheap tho. Only $65 for the water pump & gasket, t-stat & gasket, and coolant. Maybe I will still get my firewood we will see.

ALSO
How do I resize my huge signature pic?

[Dr_Snooz]

Not too much info to be found....

So you're not finding posts like this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/newbie-introductions/85846-89-accord-lx-hobby-car-central-florida.html#post1126985)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/78271-how-fix-holes-trunk-lid-seal.html#post1100964)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/66731-tail-lights.html#post910578)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/66731-tail-lights.html#post939188)? And this entire thread (http://www.3geez.com/forum/general-2geez-discussion/56298-trunk-leak.html)?

[clean_86]

So you're not finding posts like this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/newbie-introductions/85846-89-accord-lx-hobby-car-central-florida.html#post1126985)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/78271-how-fix-holes-trunk-lid-seal.html#post1100964)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/66731-tail-lights.html#post910578)? And this (http://www.3geez.com/forum/appearance/66731-tail-lights.html#post939188)? And this entire thread (http://www.3geez.com/forum/general-2geez-discussion/56298-trunk-leak.html)?
Dr_Snooz
Point taken... It shows you have a couple more days experience than me navigating this site.... :rolleyes:
Thanks for the help & highlighting these posts!
Time for the formal inspection, now I know where to look & what to look for. :hs:


Please don't melt your tail lights. Try searching for "condensation in tail lights (http://www.3geez.com/forum/search.php?searchid=21164)" instead.
But this brought back nothing.

Time to investigate, Really thanks alot. :bow: I'm not tryin to sound unappreciative. You are the man! :rockon:

[Dr_Snooz]

No worries. The site has its hiccups from time to time and the search feature is less than wonderful. I'm just glad you aren't going to try to re-invent the wheel when the cause is well known. Let us know how it turns out.

[Hazwan]

Had some condensation issue in my lude's tails before and it turned out it was leaking around the original glue/seal thing around the lens and allowed all kind of dirt and crap (and water!) into it. Who knows how long its been there but ripping open the tails reveals this:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1293073_10151672753167106_1852119972_o.jpg

I just heated the glue with a heatgun but you gotta be careful not to melt anything else but the glue. I heard the boiling water works well but I have zero experience with that. Careful not to force anything because you WILL crack the lense if you're not careful.

[clean_86]

I just heated the glue with a heatgun but you gotta be careful not to melt anything else but the glue. I heard the boiling water works well but I have zero experience with that. Careful not to force anything because you WILL crack the lense if you're not careful.


I had considered that too.... My tails are still real clean & transparent.

Spending a brief moment looking into this, I only took off the plastic interior trim piece to access the bulbs. My hatch still seems mostly dry but, my windows are starting to fog over a tad too.
Seems their is a bit of space at the tail light seal that could be pulled together, or just a new seal.

I can say it sure is nice having such a clean maintained car that this is my one and only concern.

With the holidays on us and my crazy swing shift its difficult to try & make time to do stuff like this.

[Civic Accord Honda]

yeah ive used a heat gun before .. just be extremely careful .. if you want to tint them...tint the coloured reflectors on the inside and leave the transparent lens...would give it a mean look (dont black them out just a couple light coats of tint for a smoke look :thumbup: )