Headlight condensation... STILL

Z

Zero4

Member
So after changing out a bulb and accidentally getting a wire caught in the seal causing condensation I purchased a new back and seal from BM ( i got this before I realised the wire caused a dent in the seal, could have just reversed the seal really )

I drove the car without the headlight back on for a couple days and the light dried up nicely, put the new back on with the new seal being careful not to have anything get in the way but it still mists up, not as severe as before but it still covers in a light condensation.

What is going on here? I thought the back plate fully sealed the headlight?

Any thoughts?
 
I assume the light wasnt fully dried out...I left a big silica gel bag in mine for a few weeks to make sure it was fully free of any moisture
 
Zero4 said:
Where did you put the gel bag?
Click to expand...

just inside the fitting..there is bags of room inside the light, then popped the cover back on..it was in there a few weeks and they will pull any remaining moisture out the light...mine have been bone dry ever since and i didnt even buy a new cover
 
The spring clip on the back of the cover has to be pushed fully home with a satisfying 'click'. If this has been done and you still have problems, I would smear some silicone lubricant along the seal to reinforce its efficacy.
 
Water can get trapped in the headlight assembly easily.
I ended up having to remove my headlight and dry it out suspended over the radiator in the house for 48hrs..
Assembled the the new back cover and seal then installed the 'complete' headlight back into the car.

Not had any issues since.
 
Thanks chaps. I'll put a hairdryer on it tomorrow and a gel pack too.

The clip clicks in both contacts tightl with that satisfying click, and very tight so that's no issue, the seal and back are new. I'll try some silicone or from some other searches I've done some people have used Vaseline on the seal too.

I want to get it back to perfect as I've polished the lights recently and they look really good and it's coming up to sale time I think. Wouldn't want the new owner to have to piss about with this
 
Zero4 said:
Thanks chaps. I'll put a hairdryer on it tomorrow and a gel pack too.

The clip clicks in both contacts tightl with that satisfying click, and very tight so that's no issue, the seal and back are new. I'll try some silicone or from some other searches I've done some people have used Vaseline on the seal too.

I want to get it back to perfect as I've polished the lights recently and they look really good and it's coming up to sale time I think. Wouldn't want the new owner to have to piss about with this
Click to expand...

NOT Silicone, silicone grease.
 
Even if it was dry if you seal it on a day when the air is moist it'll mist up. I have this problem since I fitted new bulbs when it was raining so will open it up to dry soon.
 
Zero4 said:
Thanks chaps. I'll put a hairdryer on it tomorrow and a gel pack too.

The clip clicks in both contacts tightl with that satisfying click, and very tight so that's no issue, the seal and back are new. I'll try some silicone or from some other searches I've done some people have used Vaseline on the seal too.

I want to get it back to perfect as I've polished the lights recently and they look really good and it's coming up to sale time I think. Wouldn't want the new owner to have to piss about with this
Click to expand...
Use extreme caution with placement of the silica! One member left it in their light and it corroded the entire inside of the light.
 
paddy wright said:
Zero4 said:
Thanks chaps. I'll put a hairdryer on it tomorrow and a gel pack too.

The clip clicks in both contacts tightl with that satisfying click, and very tight so that's no issue, the seal and back are new. I'll try some silicone or from some other searches I've done some people have used Vaseline on the seal too.

I want to get it back to perfect as I've polished the lights recently and they look really good and it's coming up to sale time I think. Wouldn't want the new owner to have to piss about with this
Click to expand...
Use extreme caution with placement of the silica gel. One member left it in their light and it corroded the entire inside of the light.
Click to expand...

Timely reminder as not all bags even contain silica gel. Some are various salts and we all know what salt and water does to cars.
 
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