Author Topic: Inexpensive Tail Light Seals (Read 5691 times)

keflaman · « **on:** April 19, 2012, 01:58:23 PM »

I usually like to replace parts with OEM or better items, but sometimes it's awfully hard to shell out over $50 for two pieces of rubber that aren't even seen. I was walking the aisles of Lowes and spotted a box of weather stripping and liked what I saw. It seemed to be thick and dense enough to work, so I picked up a box.

It's pliable enough to work around the curves of the tail light opening without bunching up and I like the multi-ribbed construction. I installed the tail lights without the original seals and sprayed the trunk and tail light area liberally with water. No leaks then and no leaks this morning after a full day and night of rain.

I think I paid less than $18.00, so if it doesn't work I'm not out much and it's certainly better than the flat, hard seals I removed! :p

tfrain · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2012, 03:02:53 PM »

sweet! and good idea. Can I have the extra leftovers?! ha ha ha!

I have same issue - I was just going to use black silicone like someone else did, but I am loathe to silicon anything on a car. But don't want to spend the money on the originals - same as you.

carlos318is · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2012, 02:42:28 PM »

Good idea mate I will have a look out for the same sort of thing in the UK

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2012, 03:25:47 PM »

Nice work! I will keep this in mind for when I replace my seals too. I assume that it is adhesive-backed so you can stick it right on?

Did you do anything special where the two ends meet?

keflaman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:39:23 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91;112111

Nice work! I will keep this in mind for when I replace my seals too. I assume that it is adhesive-backed so you can stick it right on?

Did you do anything special where the two ends meet?

It has a very good adhesive backing. I cleaned the surfaces of any dirt and then wiped the area down with wax and grease remover. I started at the 6 O'clock position and worked my way around to the lower, right quadrant. At that point I figured out how much more I would need to finish up and I measured about 1/4" past where the two ends would meet. The 1/4" extra was to force the two ends to compress together for a water tight seal.

When finished I was left with about a yard (one meter) of material. It's very good quality and I'm sure there will be something along the way I can use the leftovers for.

tfrain · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:59:38 AM »

I found some of this stuff at a local hardware store for 9 bucks. Amazon has it as well. Going to try it as soon as I get some time.

tfrain · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2012, 01:44:56 PM »

I finally got around to doing this this weekend. Worked great!

keflaman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2012, 07:16:40 PM »

That's nice to hear!

I was still having a water intrusion from somewhere along the trunk seal. I repositioned it, adjusted the trunk lid, re-crimped the seal where it sits on the pinch weld...nothin!

I don't know why I didn't think to check the seals under the spoiler. Guess what? The seals were good, but four out of the six plastic mounting nuts were missing.

Doh!

tfrain · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2012, 11:14:12 PM »

I washed the car after doing this (as I'm selling it) but I didn't really flood test it anyworse than that. I did notice that I'm missing at least one spoiler nut....hmmmm...perhaps I should just lay the hose on it and test after replacing that nut just to double check. I may be missing more nuts - will have to look....NUTS!