tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out?

i4i4i4 · 04-06-2004, 07:31 PM

One of my taillights (aftermarket but the last owner put them on so im not sure what brand/model they are) has condensation in it, what might be causing this? and how can i fix it? the other one is just fine

2LW2TW · 04-06-2004, 07:37 PM

Usually if you drill a small hole in it on the inside of it the condensation will have a place to escape. Thats what I did to the clear corners on my other car and it went away in a couple days of the sun beating on it.

SKiZZ · 04-06-2004, 07:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by i4i4i4

One of my taillights (aftermarket but the last owner put them on so im not sure what brand/model they are) has condensation in it, what might be causing this? and how can i fix it? the other one is just fine

A hole causes it. The heat from the light bulb and the mixture of hot cold and moisture cause the condensation, unless you can take it apart, clean it, and reseal it, look for another pair.

jmwxtreme43 · 04-06-2004, 07:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SKiZZ

A hole causes it. The heat from the light bulb and the mixture of hot cold and moisture cause the condensation, unless you can take it apart, clean it, and reseal it, look for another pair.

exactly, i had to get new clears, mine fogged, turned color, condensation, tried taking it apart, wasn't happening, let them dry out in the sun for a day, within 2 days they were fogged again, got a new set, have looked great since

2LW2TW · 04-06-2004, 08:06 PM

Yes obviously a tiny hole in the sealant causes it and lets water seep into the light but its not big enough for the ventilation of air to quickly evaporate the water. Either way, sealing it is the best thing to do obviously, but letting air in to get rid of the water that is there can help as well as long as you drill it in a spot where water can not be let in anytime in the future. It worked for my lights, thats all I can say.

i4i4i4 · 04-06-2004, 10:10 PM

thnx ill try that stuff out

98dimebag · 04-06-2004, 10:13 PM

On the ones I used to have there were 2 rubber plugs on the inside of each taillight. One on the upper rear and one on the lower rear. Pulled em both off and parked it out in the sun and the condensation dissappeared.

Got-20z · 04-06-2004, 10:14 PM

what i've done in the past is use a blow gun on my air compressor or a hair dryer and dry it out well then put some Goop or silicone around the edges...

cbauer210 · 04-07-2004, 07:59 PM

Drill a tiny hole in the back of the light. The condensation will dry up. Seal up the hole with epoxy or silicon. Seal up all the edges with clear silicon to make it airtight. This is what I did and hasnt had that problem since. It is a quick and cheap alternative to buying new lights. If it fogs up after you do this and you cant find where the air leak is, then just drill the hole some where that wont allow water to enter, and dont seal it up. At least then it will have someplace to vent.

2LW2TW · 04-07-2004, 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cbauer210

Drill a tiny hole in the back of the light. The condensation will dry up. Seal up the hole with epoxy or silicon. Seal up all the edges with clear silicon to make it airtight. This is what I did and hasnt had that problem since. It is a quick and cheap alternative to buying new lights. If it fogs up after you do this and you cant find where the air leak is, then just drill the hole some where that wont allow water to enter, and dont seal it up. At least then it will have someplace to vent.

Glad to see that someone else thinks like I do...Thanks for the support.

04-06-2004, 07:31 PM	#1
i4i4i4 No tailgate's here Age: 24 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 122 Location: LINY User is: OffLine	tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? One of my taillights (aftermarket but the last owner put them on so im not sure what brand/model they are) has condensation in it, what might be causing this? and how can i fix it? the other one is just fine
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 07:37 PM	#2
2LW2TW Got Beer? Age: 28 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,599 Location: Rhode Island User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Usually if you drill a small hole in it on the inside of it the condensation will have a place to escape. Thats what I did to the clear corners on my other car and it went away in a couple days of the sun beating on it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 07:38 PM	#3
SKiZZ The Heezy To The Skeezy Age: 34 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 384 Location: St. Louis, MO User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Quote: Originally Posted by i4i4i4 One of my taillights (aftermarket but the last owner put them on so im not sure what brand/model they are) has condensation in it, what might be causing this? and how can i fix it? the other one is just fine A hole causes it. The heat from the light bulb and the mixture of hot cold and moisture cause the condensation, unless you can take it apart, clean it, and reseal it, look for another pair.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 07:43 PM	#4
jmwxtreme43 www.myspace.com/MINTSICK Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4,531 Location: Kingston, NH User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Quote: Originally Posted by SKiZZ A hole causes it. The heat from the light bulb and the mixture of hot cold and moisture cause the condensation, unless you can take it apart, clean it, and reseal it, look for another pair. exactly, i had to get new clears, mine fogged, turned color, condensation, tried taking it apart, wasn't happening, let them dry out in the sun for a day, within 2 days they were fogged again, got a new set, have looked great since
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 08:06 PM	#5
2LW2TW Got Beer? Age: 28 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,599 Location: Rhode Island User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Yes obviously a tiny hole in the sealant causes it and lets water seep into the light but its not big enough for the ventilation of air to quickly evaporate the water. Either way, sealing it is the best thing to do obviously, but letting air in to get rid of the water that is there can help as well as long as you drill it in a spot where water can not be let in anytime in the future. It worked for my lights, thats all I can say.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 10:10 PM	#6
i4i4i4 No tailgate's here Age: 24 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 122 Location: LINY User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? thnx ill try that stuff out
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 10:13 PM	#7
98dimebag needin 20's member Age: 27 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Denton, TX User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? On the ones I used to have there were 2 rubber plugs on the inside of each taillight. One on the upper rear and one on the lower rear. Pulled em both off and parked it out in the sun and the condensation dissappeared.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-06-2004, 10:14 PM	#8
Got-20z has committed suicide! Age: 27 Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,945 Location: North East, Kentucky User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? what i've done in the past is use a blow gun on my air compressor or a hair dryer and dry it out well then put some Goop or silicone around the edges...
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-07-2004, 07:59 PM	#9
cbauer210 I <3 (.)(.)'s Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,771 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Drill a tiny hole in the back of the light. The condensation will dry up. Seal up the hole with epoxy or silicon. Seal up all the edges with clear silicon to make it airtight. This is what I did and hasnt had that problem since. It is a quick and cheap alternative to buying new lights. If it fogs up after you do this and you cant find where the air leak is, then just drill the hole some where that wont allow water to enter, and dont seal it up. At least then it will have someplace to vent.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-07-2004, 08:29 PM	#10
2LW2TW Got Beer? Age: 28 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,599 Location: Rhode Island User is: OffLine	Re: tail light has condesation in it... how to clean out? Quote: Originally Posted by cbauer210 Drill a tiny hole in the back of the light. The condensation will dry up. Seal up the hole with epoxy or silicon. Seal up all the edges with clear silicon to make it airtight. This is what I did and hasnt had that problem since. It is a quick and cheap alternative to buying new lights. If it fogs up after you do this and you cant find where the air leak is, then just drill the hole some where that wont allow water to enter, and dont seal it up. At least then it will have someplace to vent. Glad to see that someone else thinks like I do...Thanks for the support.
	[Reply w/Quote]