Moisture in Tail light issue

[pandasaurus_rex]

After replacing my stock tail lights with aftermarket tail lights froim Ebay following my accident last winter, I have noticed that come spring, my right hand light got moisture clung into it. I thought it was nothing, and after a summer of condensation, the bottom of the lamp filled with water, staining the red reflective surface with a tarnished black. It looks horrible. I know stuff from Ebay has much to be desired and has poor build quality. However, I would like to know a solution that could take that tarnish off and find out why the lamp fills with moisture. Any common knowledge as to why lamps sometimes do this?

[Thug Nasty]

hahaha I had this same problem on my stock tail lights. Anyway, they had a waterline about halfway up. What I did: Take the tail light out. Take out the lights and everything. Drained it. Hair dryed it for a few hours till there wasn't a drop in there. When inserting the lights agian, I siliconed the seal. So afterwards, every seal had silicon on it. Haven't had a problem since.

John

[pandasaurus_rex]

Is there supposed to be a seal between the lamp and the body? I removed the lamp already to drain it and I was surprised there was no foam gasket around the studs. I don't know because the body shop swapped the old smashed lights with the new ones. Is this the seal you're talking of?

[theclapp]

hahaha I had this same problem on my stock tail lights. Anyway, they had a waterline about halfway up. What I did: Take the tail light out. Take out the lights and everything. Drained it. Hair dryed it for a few hours till there wasn't a drop in there. When inserting the lights agian, I siliconed the seal. So afterwards, every seal had silicon on it. Haven't had a problem since.

John

I know it was awhile ago, but did you seal the tail light itself, between the clear outer cover and black housing? I'm having the same problem.

Thanks!

[EvoEatr]

I know it was awhile ago, but did you seal the tail light itself, between the clear outer cover and black housing? I'm having the same problem.

Thanks!

Yes I have run into this multiple times on customers cars and the best way to resolve it is pull the light assembly out pop the cover off the housing and even if there is a seal there which there should be, add a generous amount of silicone to the seal area...( before you put all back together clean out the taillight cover itself of course)...than after everything is sealed and put back together always leak test it before reinstalling it in the vehicle...

[theclapp]

Yes I have run into this multiple times on customers cars and the best way to resolve it is pull the light assembly out pop the cover off the housing and even if there is a seal there which there should be, add a generous amount of silicone to the seal area...( before you put all back together clean out the taillight cover itself of course)...than after everything is sealed and put back together always leak test it before reinstalling it in the vehicle...

Thanks for the reply! To pop the cover off the housing do you put the entire assembly in the oven to warm up the seal so it will pull apart? Thanks!