16 replies to this topic

[haggi961]

Does anyone know what the oem seal that's used for bonding on the vx lenses. I'm sick of using tiger seal and would love to try some of the oem stuff.

[smiley]

I used a roll of 3m double sided that's sold as outdoor capable.

In combination with black silicone to watertighten the edge between lense and cluster, it's been fine so far (2 years).

I do garage it, and try to avoid rain in total, so i may not be a fair comparison for an outside sleeper trying this.

But with oem also being double sided tape, how bad could it be? (ie, some tiger seal constructions have also lost lenses) 

 

Downside is that you get one chance of getting the lense on the cluster correctly, as it will not move a mm once stuck.

 

 

Edited by smiley, 21 January 2014 - 08:46 PM.

[TJenkos]

Wish I took this route, sealant is messy!!!

[Crabash]

I used the Black sticky string that EP sell for Elise front lens after probs with Tiger seal type products.

[haggi961]

I've must of sealed 10 vx lights now with tiger seal and I hate the stuff. If you put to much on it push itself over the lip inside the light and looks crap. Problem I've found with sealing the edge is when you come to fit and tighten the light it's pulls the lense slightly breaking the seal. Would love to find what vauxhall used, It's like a double sided silicone tape or something like that.

[Crabash]

That string stuff never sets so always has some give in it.

http://www.amazon.co...ords=butyl tape

[haggi961]

Is this the stuff you mean from elise parts http://www.elisepart...cover-adhesive/ if so how's the waterproof seal holding up. Has it let any water in?

[smiley]

Problem I've found with sealing the edge is when you come to fit and tighten the light it's pulls the lense slightly breaking the seal.

 

Have not encountered that problem with double sided tape in combination with sealant (ie it does not bodge when tightening the rear nut)

I was off by 2mm with the lense, and now i have a gap between cluster and clam i cannot correct, without doing it all over.

 

Winterjob. (and putting those fairylight leds in)

[Crabash]

Totally water proof, you can stack it and as soon as it touches itself it might as well be one piece. just be aware if you let any squeeze out the sides you will need to clean it all up before fitting the light. Also I would try to have the lights warm when you bolt it in to let it settle faster. I just did mine on a sunny summer day.

In my experience Tiger seal does not actually bond them, and just peels away. I nearly lot a lens with it so moved to this about 5 years ago and never touched it again.

 

It is also easy to mold in to any shape you want so I also used it to plug the holes in the backing plate. I used to used it to insulate and waterproof PC's running -70 c.

 

I believe 3M is the best one but EP is reasonable price and 3M anyway.

Edited by Crabash, 21 January 2014 - 09:13 PM.

[haggi961]

Thanks and I'm sold on it now. The amazon link the same thing I take it?

[Crabash]

Never checked on the make of the amazon one just go for a the 3M version where ever you get it. If in doubt get at EP.

Edited by Crabash, 21 January 2014 - 09:16 PM.

[xco]

I used the Black sticky string that EP sell for Elise front lens after probs with Tiger seal type products.

I also used that 3M product and works very well.

Edited by xco, 21 January 2014 - 09:43 PM.

[oggster]

just done my lights today,and had used way to much tiger seal as it was on the inside...bummer,but 5 mins in the oven and it was off again and redone..hellish sh*t the tiger seal,haven,t put the lights back on  the car yet because i am fitting h1 and h7 and clam will be coming off to fit the carbon v this weekend..i have all the bolts off except the ones in the bracket at the top of the doors,need to get my mate over to remove it..getting there tho.

[A-F_20]

3M PT1100 is the stuff oems use.

[Goose]

Resurrecting this thread as I'm tackling this job now and am hoping (praying) that someone may have some thoughts on how to get the old tiger seal off. Long story short... - Couple of years ago I split the rear NA lenses, sprayed the clusters matte black and resealed them with tiger seal - Was driving along the motorway a year later and the rear right lens decided to detach on the outside edge and snap off in the airflow. Brilliant (seems this is fairly common for tiger seal to "let go" of VX lenses) - I've bought a replacement lens and some of the EP tape, to redo the job - The problem is, I've got the remains of the flattened/patchy bead of tiger seal still 110% bonded around the edge of the cluster... Don't want to think about applying the EP tape on top of that, surely it won't grip? Therefore I guess I need to get the flattened bead of solid tiger seal off before I can redo the new lens with EP tape. Any thoughts on how I can get the old bead of tiger seal off the cluster?? It's absolutely ON THERE... is not moving for s**t. :'(

Edited by Goose, 14 February 2016 - 03:22 PM.

[r2mlb]

I had similar issue on my fronts. I used a brand new Stanley blade (carefully) to get 95% of it off, then just used wet & dry after which will also help the EP tape to bond better. Good luck fiddly job but worth it in the end!

[Goose]

Tackling it now. It seems that popping the whole cluster in the oven helps soften the tiger seal to the point that 80% of it will peel off with some fiddling. Got the oven set to 130C... 5 mins of the cluster in the oven... Fiddle around peeling off an inch or two of seal... Back in for 5 mins... Fiddle off another inch... Back in the oven... Etc... Wetting the foam gasket each time in an attempt to stop the oven destroying it

Edited by Goose, 14 February 2016 - 04:22 PM.