Just a quick question for the masses and the more experienced out there. What is the best, and safest against leaks, way to seal up headlights after a retro or painting. Is it best to swear and have a mental breakdown trying to get all the old sealant out and start new with a new bead of sealant, or, can you get away with aligning the lens back on with clamps and using the oven with the original sealant? Also when heating the units to soften the seal, do you keep the oven on or off for the 'baking' process (with cardboard under the light). I just need some hints and experiences out there. Thanks millions (07 FX4 lights) And HAPPY NEW YEAR !! to all members.

 

I'd keep it on. Shutting the oven off isnt going to help any because as soon as you open the door it cools down. Plus you will find it needs more time. IE just keep it on. Don't go over 250.

If they are OEM headlamps w/ permaseal, it will not reseal. They are too hard. If it is an aftermarket unit with the gooey stuff, then yeah that reseals with heat.

Aftermarket= reheat, OEM= take your time, peel it all off and use new silicone.

 

Thanks for the info 'Raptor'. I'm not sure if the units are OEM or not as I bought them apart and ready for FX-R's (took a chance on the aim). The sealant is a greyish semi-tacky silicone at the moment, what does the 'permaseal' stuff look like. All the ones I have taken apart have been aftermarket...i know, I'm a pathetic case. :o

 

after markets are easier to reseal. Permaseal is really hard stuff like cement so if it is tacky then it can be reheated

 

Just an FYI for ya. If you do wind up having the factory headlights, with that really hard to get out sealant isn't to bad. Just use a real heat gun. I tried it on this last set of headlights that I did and the crap just came out as one huge piece. Just dont melt the plastic housing. AKA be careful.

 

I had a set of 'Hellas' that had the harder sealant, that was the easiest sealant I ever came across to get out, one whole length.

Thanks for the pointers !!!!

 

It is very easy to get warm permaseal to lift out of the headlights. As mentioned earlier, a heat gun is helpful, but you can also just put the unit back in the oven. 230 degrees, or so, and the permaseal just lifts out.

Getting the light resealed completely is, in my experience, very difficult.

 

was the easiest sealant I ever came across to get out, one whole length.

 

I tried it on this last set of headlights that I did and the crap just came out as one huge piece. Just dont melt the plastic housing. AKA be careful.

 

To reseal>>> http://shop.lightwerkz.net/Koito-Butyl-Rubber-Sealer

 

Thanks for the link '88', might try some of that stuff in the future, just wish there was an easier way to get that grey tacky stuff out..just don't trust the re-heating method to re-seal..

 

I got tired of battling mine. I put a bead of Goop around the lens after "sealing" with the butyl.