Condensation in Headlights
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From: Arizona
Condensation in Headlights
I bought these Harley Davidson knock off headlights on ebay a while back. I really like them but noticed a decent amount of condensation in both headlights (especially with the snowy and cold weather). Before I installed them I did use some RTV Silicone on them, but apparently not enough...what is the best way to get this condensation out and how can I prevent this?
Define "a while back". Do you have any pics? I don't know why people think they need to add sealant to headlights- its a common myth on here that condensation in new headlights = leak. Its SUPPOSED to happen within the first two weeks of installation. If you've had them for longer than that, and you have copious amounts of water, I'd suspect a crack in the lens somewhere or a bulb seating issue. For the lens and housing mating joint to be leaking is highly improbably as it is the strongest portion of the cavity and most butyl rubber stretches and conforms to fill the void.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Arizona
Define "a while back". Do you have any pics? I don't know why people think they need to add sealant to headlights- its a common myth on here that condensation in new headlights = leak. Its SUPPOSED to happen within the first two weeks of installation. If you've had them for longer than that, and you have copious amounts of water, I'd suspect a crack in the lens somewhere or a bulb seating issue. For the lens and housing mating joint to be leaking is highly improbably as it is the strongest portion of the cavity and most butyl rubber stretches and conforms to fill the void.
Last edited by CC268; Feb 2, 2013 at 10:29 PM.
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From: Snow Lake Manitoba
My guess is a bulb sealing issue. It gets "super cold" where I live,(-37c last night) And I have no condensation is my Depo knock-off Lightning heads. I only had condensation any time I changed a light bulb, and only until the bulb and the daylight dried them out.
Check you bulb holder thingy, you know what I mean, maybe the bulb ain't seated right.
By the way, how cold is it in Arizona? My father-in-law spends his winters just outside of Phoenix somewhere
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Check you bulb holder thingy, you know what I mean, maybe the bulb ain't seated right.
By the way, how cold is it in Arizona? My father-in-law spends his winters just outside of Phoenix somewhere
.
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From: Middelburg Florida
ebay light while not expensive are poorly sealed. I have a set of the all black ones .The trick is to seal with a clear or black silicon over again where the housing meets the clear lens before the install .At best with this your get 3 to 4 years with them looking good .With out going nuts polishing the lens.
ebay light while not expensive are poorly sealed. I have a set of the all black ones .The trick is to seal with a clear or black silicon over again where the housing meets the clear lens before the install .At best with this your get 3 to 4 years with them looking good .With out going nuts polishing the lens.
Again, people who say you need to add sealant do not understand basic atmospheric principals. Get a tupperware container, close it in your house and duct tape it shut. Sit it outside for an hour, and it will have condensation. Same principal here, folks. All headlights have vinyl "one-way" vent stickers over tiny holes in the back which allow the larger body of humidity concentration (your headlights) to slowly vent to the lower concentration (outside). When you buy new headlights from a cold, damp warehouse and install them into a truck sitting outside, condensation will occur. It will disappear on its own.
To OP: Reappearing condensation after high-humidity applications such as car washes, rain, snow, etc are clearly visible (pun intended) signs of a exposed hole in the headlamp. I have seen this before in my own retrofitted headlamps when one of the vent stickers fell off. Now, this could mean a lost vent sticker, improper bulb seating, or even butyl rubber shrinkage due to the cold weather. The best way to check is remove the headlamp and visually inspect it. Then if nothing is found, place the assembly (lens first) about halfway submerged into a pot of water and check for leaks.
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From: Middelburg Florida
"I have bought 4 pairs of eBay lights for my truck in the past 5 years"
That's my point they are cheap china stuff and poorly sealed .
That's my point they are cheap china stuff and poorly sealed .
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You are preaching to the choir. I know they are cheap, but when it comes to accidents, even OEM Visteon units wouldn't survive and impact at 30mph. And like I said before, they are all sealed fine.
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From: Middelburg Florida
oh ok my bad .So is their a brand or seller on ebay that is best to buy from cause I will be in the market for some new ones soon.just regular black housing lights no hids or anything.
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From: In the fast lane from LA to Tokyo...
Wrong. All headlights are sealed with butyl rubber which expands when the two halves meet to meet DOT specs. All headlights are completely waterproof in the main joint. I have bought 4 pairs of eBay lights for my truck in the past 5 years, and installed about 6 others on different vehicles and I submerge test all of them prior to installation just to prove so.
Again, people who say you need to add sealant do not understand basic atmospheric principals. Get a tupperware container, close it in your house and duct tape it shut. Sit it outside for an hour, and it will have condensation. Same principal here, folks. All headlights have vinyl "one-way" vent stickers over tiny holes in the back which allow the larger body of humidity concentration (your headlights) to slowly vent to the lower concentration (outside). When you buy new headlights from a cold, damp warehouse and install them into a truck sitting outside, condensation will occur. It will disappear on its own.
To OP: Reappearing condensation after high-humidity applications such as car washes, rain, snow, etc are clearly visible (pun intended) signs of a exposed hole in the headlamp. I have seen this before in my own retrofitted headlamps when one of the vent stickers fell off. Now, this could mean a lost vent sticker, improper bulb seating, or even butyl rubber shrinkage due to the cold weather. The best way to check is remove the headlamp and visually inspect it. Then if nothing is found, place the assembly (lens first) about halfway submerged into a pot of water and check for leaks.
Again, people who say you need to add sealant do not understand basic atmospheric principals. Get a tupperware container, close it in your house and duct tape it shut. Sit it outside for an hour, and it will have condensation. Same principal here, folks. All headlights have vinyl "one-way" vent stickers over tiny holes in the back which allow the larger body of humidity concentration (your headlights) to slowly vent to the lower concentration (outside). When you buy new headlights from a cold, damp warehouse and install them into a truck sitting outside, condensation will occur. It will disappear on its own.
To OP: Reappearing condensation after high-humidity applications such as car washes, rain, snow, etc are clearly visible (pun intended) signs of a exposed hole in the headlamp. I have seen this before in my own retrofitted headlamps when one of the vent stickers fell off. Now, this could mean a lost vent sticker, improper bulb seating, or even butyl rubber shrinkage due to the cold weather. The best way to check is remove the headlamp and visually inspect it. Then if nothing is found, place the assembly (lens first) about halfway submerged into a pot of water and check for leaks.