19 replies to this topic

[gav89]

I know this subject has been covered to death but there is a variety of different methods out there and would like some input. My lights are pissing the sh*t out of me at the min. I sealed them a few years ago and they are misting up with just the hint of moisture in the air.

So heres what I plan.......

 

Remove and clean Lenses and put anti fog liquid on the inside before reseal

Reseal lenses with Butyl tape, then add abit of tiger seal for good measure.

Put neoprene  foam tape around light where it makes contact with the clam

 

Rears:

Same as above but buy new thick neoprene foam to replace existing foam gasket

 

Any other suggestions, so I can once n for all have a car that doesnt need the hairdryer taking to it on a weekly basis.

Thanks!

[fezzasus]

Don't mix different types of bonding agents. Either butyl tape or polyurethane. After running the former for 8 months I would recommend the later as butyl tape never sets and causes the lenses to sag.

[gav89]

Did vauxhall not use butyl tape on the OEM lense tho? I should have explained more, I'm not gonna use tiger seal as the adhesive.I was planning on using the tape to first bond the lense to the cluster, then use tiger seal around the edges to form a secondary water seal

[fezzasus]

Did vauxhall not use butyl tape on the OEM lense tho? I should have explained more, I'm not gonna use tiger seal as the adhesive.I was planning on using the tape to first bond the lense to the cluster, then use tiger seal around the edges to form a secondary water seal

 

I still wouldn't do that.

 

Two reasons:

 

1. the different adhesives will expand and contract at different rates, this could mean one adhesive breaking the seal the other one has created by expanding more, forcing the gap between the lens and rear section of the light.

 

2. chemical compatibility, it's likely the polyurethane will make the butyl tape brittle.

[oakmere]

How about using silicone as the sealer or will the problem still be the same? I have used tiger seal on the rear lenses but it seems to form micro cracks in the lense. I am not sure if this is the lense or the tiger seal braking away from the lense?

[fezzasus]

How about using silicone as the sealer or will the problem still be the same? I have used tiger seal on the rear lenses but it seems to form micro cracks in the lense. I am not sure if this is the lense or the tiger seal braking away from the lense?

Not enough grab. Polyurethane is the way to go, it's a case of trying different types. Sikaflex might be better

[smiley]

I use tape for bonding and silicone on the edges as water seal. no complaints so far, but I try to avoid bad weather with it so may not be a fair example for heavy use.

[gav89]

Yeah I reckon tape bonding (cos thats what Vauxhall did) then put a bead of silicone on the outside edge for good measure

[haggi961]

This stuff is what I used to bond my headlamps together and it's still working perfect http://www.elisepart...cover-adhesive/

[oakmere]

I ment the butil tape + silicone, not silicone alone. Tiger seal might not allow the lense to expand and contract enough causing the cracking on the bonded surface.

[Exmantaa]

Chemicals in certain adhesives will cause the hairline tension cracks in the plastic, so best use OEM-like stuff on the lenses... (At work we had once ethanol cleaning that caused stress cracks in pespex.)

[fezzasus]

Butyl tape

 

Pros:

 

It's re-settable, you can heat it up to adjust to fill any gaps or move the lens about. 

It doesn't chemically bond, so won't damage the lenses

 

Cons:

 

Not all butyl tape is the same, you need a high melting point one (such as the one sold by EP in the link above), lower melting point type run the risk of lenses sagging in hot weather

 

Polyurethane

 

Pros

 

Strong adhesive bond,

Can be applied more thinly than butyl tape

 

Cons

 

Not all polyurethane is the same, some will be more aggressive to the polycarbonate lenses or black paint, causing cracking or paint flaking. Tiger seal appears to, Sikaflex does not (so far)

Cannot re-set

[Gopherit]

Is this the tape to use?

 

http://www.3mdirect....mm-x-10m-1.html

 

It's available in a variety of widths  so if it is the correct stuff, what width do I need? Supposedly ok to an intermittent high 150deg C but only down to -20deg C.

[fezzasus]

http://www.elisepart...cover-adhesive/

 

Probably the same stuff, but it's cheaper.

Edited by fezzasus, 27 March 2015 - 01:24 PM.

[r2mlb]

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/7/327/headlight-cover-adhesive/   Probably the same stuff, but it's cheaper.

So I've used the EP butyl tape and found it spot on. I have also ordered tiger seal to do exactly as others have thought, fill the gap to make double sure its air tight. Am I right therefore in assuming your recommendation is just to leave mine as they are and the EP tape will do the job on its own?

[fezzasus]

Yes, use one or the other, not both.

[Chris p]

Just wondering how much of the elise parts tape I need to buy, will one roll do all the lights? front and back.

 

[r2mlb]

Just wondering how much of the elise parts tape I need to buy, will one roll do all the lights? front and back.  

I was told 1 roll would be enough for the headlights but frustratingly it wasn't and needed a fraction more... I'd advise 2 rolls to be on the safe side, 3 if you're going to do the rears too.

[FLD]

I used PU adhesive (tigerseal) on mine.  I used PU primer (winbond) on the bonding surfaces first.  I have no cracks in the lenses at all.  Cracks could also be stress cracks if you've clamped on the lens while it cures and then released it.  The lenses I've cut off lamps before all seem to have been stuck on with PU adhesive and then double sealed round with more PU.  I've done 3 sets of lamps but they were all the early 'thompsons plastics' ones.

[slindborg]

Make sure the breathers on the back of the light units are clean and functioning...

 

All this sealing lenses on and sh*t wont mean a thing if the back of the lights are letting moisture in but not out again...