Buckaroo Banzi

Replacing cracked taillight lens.
Noticed a black putty type substance that is now dry and flacking off.

Would like to know what you all are using when you replaced your lens?
What if any sealant works and what should I stay away from?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

-BB

shiners780

I used a tube of gasket maker, from the auto parts store. Worked fine.

Musche

I used the 3M urethane bead for windshields and it worked fine. Easy to find at most auto parts stores.

xsboost90

yeah the original stuff is similar to 3M strip sealer you can get at autozone or one of the chains. Its in a roll and is like black tar in a rope.

Perry 951

It is called Butyl Rubber and is the correct way to seal them. As Dan said, most parts stores sell it in a roll for a few bucks.

You guys using silicone will hate yourself if you need to re-seal, or God forbid, paint.

420WHP944

I had removed all traces of the black sealant when I repainted my car - As it's garage kept and not out in the elements I didn't see the need to re-seal?

Ballistic-Chapman

Gasket (black sealant) prevents noxious exhuast fumes from entering the cabin. Helps in noise reduction also.

ehall

drive it ONE TIME in a heavy unexpexted rain storm and you will find out why it is sealed.

xsboost90

the PO of my car decided to replace the taillights and didnt see the need to seal them. The inside of the car never did get water in it but the lights started filling up w/ water.

420WHP944

I can honestly say I've had no such issues with fumes or increased noise levels

420WHP944

I can see rain ingress in a Florida type down pour ehall, but my car is garage kept and NEVER driven in the rain so it's not really an issue either.

It's horse's for course's guys. If your car is out in the elements then seal, if like mine then there's no need. The upside for not sealing is the rear lense's look better, i.e. I've yet to see a seal job that doesn't have sealant sticking out all over the place.

Burma Shave

Mine doesn't have sealant sticking out. There were gaskets originally but they are no longer available. Butyl tape is cheap. If you buy the right size it wont stick out. You can also use 3m window seal..comes on a roll, pretty much the same thing. If you use urethane the lights won't come back out wothout damage.

tommo951

John,

It can rain pretty hard in Ireland from what I remember. I did the retro circuit of Ireland a few years ago in a and It rained for 3 days solid. The locals told me to stop whinging as it was always like this in August!! It was like driving in canals rather than roads. I can see why Ireland is so green!

420WHP944

Tommo,
That is so true LOL.

I can hear it now " Ah sure tis a grand day, just a wee drop of rain " LOL

420WHP944

Thats a pity. I reckon that would be the best solution.