Cheapo's guide: to fix a leaking tail-light gasket

[FongPei]

DISCLAIMER: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!

This is my first DIY! Maybe i'll do a series of Cheapo's guides =P

Thought I’d do something simple and cheap - BUT EFFECTIVE.

Getting moisture in the tail-light and/or water in the boot is a common problem on Honda’s… Unfortunately we just have S$$$ gaskets. This is the cheapass and IMO better option to buying another $50 gasket… I’ve done this to my left tail-light a few months ago and just last night to my right tail-light after all this crappy weather we’re getting in Syd =[

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/016.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/016.jpg.html)

AIM: to create a silicon seal around the tail-light gasket

Required:
- $10Tube of silicon sealant (Selley’s Roof and Gutter Silicone Sealant)
- FREE: Toilet Paper
Optional:
- Free: Water
- $?: Tube gun thing

STEPZ:
1) Remove the tail-light from the compartment.

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/017.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/017.jpg.html)

2) On the EK Hatchback, remove the speaker housing (2 screws on the top of the plastic trim and 1 screw you get to by pushing the seat forward where it would normally be hidden between the back of the seat and the speaker housing.


3) Remove the speaker (4 screws) and unplug. Now is a good time to change those fuzzy speakers too!


4) Unscrew the 4 nuts holding the tail-light in. Wrenches and spanners work well. Then the tail-light should just slide out. This shot taken from inside the boot looking into the tail-light compartment.

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/012.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/012.jpg.html)

5) Clean all the grime around the gasket and the metal. Careful if you decide to remove your gasket cos it’s pretty easy to tear

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/014.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/014.jpg.html)

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/023.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/023.jpg.html)

6) Apply the silicone onto the metal where the taillight usually comes into contact with the metal. A good way to tell is any dirt stains left on the metal after a good clean. Don’t be afraid to be generous! Can cut the silicone away when it’s dry.

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/027.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/027.jpg.html)

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/030.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/030.jpg.html)

7) Wait for 24 hours.


8) Put everything back together! DONE!

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q595/jonathanchow93/0352-2.jpg (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/jonathanchow93/media/0352-2.jpg.html)

PM me or comment for questions or words of wisdom! Happy DIYing

[dorikin]

sorry but terrible idea IMO

when it starts leaking again and u decide to replace it with a new gasket, you're not gunna enjoy removing that silicone

do it once do it right

[_CRX_]

Same cost would be to go to Clark rubber and buy something to make a new gasket with ....personally I would have just bought one from honda

[FongPei]

sorry but terrible idea IMO

when it starts leaking again and u decide to replace it with a new gasket, you're not gunna enjoy removing that silicone

do it once do it right

It peels right off (Y) the silicone isn't applied to the backing of the tail-light - rather the metal so anything which comes in contact with the silicone after it's dry won't stick.


Same cost would be to go to Clark rubber and buy something to make a new gasket with ....personally I would have just bought one from honda

What's the Clark rubber option like?

[fat_85_civic]

What's the Clark rubber option like?

A lot better than using silicone. You can get closed cell foam similar to what the original gaskets are made of and make mew ones. Much better idea. I wouldn't suggest anyone use silicone to seal them up :eek:

[amant02]

All this hard work to save $50 bucks?

[FongPei]

All this hard work to save $50 bucks?

Buddy you call this hard work? lol.. $50 saving in 30-45 minutes sounds alright to me. this is a DIY afterall

[_CRX_]

Buddy you call this hard work? lol.. $50 saving in 30-45 minutes sounds alright to me. this is a DIY afterall

This isn't a DIY ...this is not what to do.
Really this thread shouldn't even be in this section.

[lolmclol]

So many rustled jimmies in here. OP is thinking outside of the box here, instead of bad mouthing his idea, try and better it by coming up with something you think is better!

[_CRX_]

So many rustled jimmies in here. OP is thinking outside of the box here, instead of bad mouthing his idea, try and better it by coming up with something you think is better!

3rd post down

[lolmclol]

3rd post down

Where's the link to your DIY? I only saw text.

[FongPei]

This isn't a DIY ...this is not what to do.
Really this thread shouldn't even be in this section.

You serious? This WORKS. and is totally functional - with no damages to the car whatsoever. No leakages - just pure DIY. You want a gasket go ahead and buy yourself one. don't like it - get out of my thread.

COS ALL THIS IS JUST ADVICE. YOU CAN DO WHATEVER **** YOU WANNA DO. - Hodge Twins

douchebag

[Super-DA9]

I've used regular clear silicon on my tail lights before, worked perfect. It also peels off very easily so it's not hard to backtrack.

It's not a bad idea when you have a bad boot leak and a week+ wait from Honda on the gasket.

[tripleuse]

just pure DIY. COS ALL THIS IS JUST ADVICE. YOU CAN DO WHATEVER **** YOU WANNA DO. - Hodge Twins

so many lols, i think the funniest bit is you actually quoted hodge twins.

it cost $20 do this job? doesnt a gasket cost like $40. would hate to see the other short cuts you take on your car to save a buck.

edit:


. OP is thinking outside of the box here, instead of bad mouthing his idea, try and better it by coming up with something you think is better!

buying a gasket.

[lolmclol]

so many lols, i think the funniest bit is you actually quoted hodge twins.

it cost $20 do this job? doesnt a gasket cost like $40. would hate to see the other short cuts you take on your car to save a buck.

edit:



buying a gasket.

Document you buying a gasket and installing it, kgo.

[tripleuse]

document you buying a gasket and installing it, kgo.

watajk

[lolmclol]

watajk

That's what I thought.

[FongPei]

Actually cost me nothing. I already had all the tools. As I said before - if you want to buy a gasket, go ahead! It's obviously ideal.

So much heat on a small DIY

[tripleuse]

That's what I thought.

what are you trying to prove? i dont understand the logic to your comments. My gasket is fine, there is no need for replacement. If i was to replace a gasket i wouldnt make a DIY, If you need a diy thread to tell you how to replace a gasket you are to incompetent to work on a car. He preformed dodgey work on his car and your giving him props like he has done a good job.

WATAJK

[Super-DA9]

Dudes, the OP isn't making you all do this against your will, lol.. No reason to slam him for having a go at writing up a DIY.

http://i.imgur.com/oP3REAz.png

[lolmclol]

what are you trying to prove? i dont understand the logic to your comments. My gasket is fine, there is no need for replacement. If i was to replace a gasket i wouldnt make a DIY, If you need a diy thread to tell you how to replace a gasket you are to incompetent to work on a car. He preformed dodgey work on his car and your giving him props like he has done a good job.

WATAJK

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNDbVQSq1U/UYu8K-HaeWI/AAAAAAAAHzI/JZVvDCbx78o/s1600/Rustled+Jimmies.jpg


Visit the vent thread for all your wah wah needs.

[tripleuse]

hahaha thats what i thought.

[FongPei]

hahaha thats what i thought.

Why so mad? No one forcing you to do anything. Get that big head out of your ass

[eLtrix]

hahaha thats what i thought.

Why so butt hurt??? Have a snickers

[tripleuse]

Why so mad? No one forcing you to do anything. Get that big head out of your ass

i think you should meet dc2r-0636 you two would get along, could share your rice mods..

[lolmclol]

i think you should meet dc2r-0636 you two would get along, could share your rice mods..

http://www.ubykotex.com.au/assets/0000/1140/tampons-regular-16.jpg

[crobaa]

A tube of silicone is around $3, I purchased gaskets last week for my dc2, $70 for the pair. Silicone will not leave any permanent damage/markings or anything. It will peel off leaving nothing behind at all. Its designed to keep water out between plastic and metal, I use it all the time at work, most of your houses will be covered with it and im pretty sure they arent full of water. If you are on a budget and enjoy diy, this is a great solution. Everybody bagging the op has probably never held a tool in their life

[gen2 CRX]

I wouldnt use just any silicone as some silicones etch into the paint and will cause rust.. If you want to do this your better off using sikaflex which will not cause rust and is designed for automotive use.

[Super-DA9]

^^ have you ever tried to remove automotive sikaflex?

[crobaa]

I just use normal clear roofing/plumbing silicone. doesnt remove paint

[Jasemas]

Awesome DIY
Will have this in mind when my gaskets start to leak :P

[FongPei]

Awesome DIY
Will have this in mind when my gaskets start to leak :P

Thanks =]


I wouldnt use just any silicone as some silicones etch into the paint and will cause rust.. If you want to do this your better off using sikaflex which will not cause rust and is designed for automotive use.

Haven't tried but i'll have a look at it next time =]

Yeah i forgot to mention guys - i'm using guttering silicone which comes straight off. the bonding isn't extremely strong but under pressure it does its job.