Headlight re-sealing

Hey guys, I have a cheap set of eBay headlights laying around and I'm going to attempt a little project with color matching the inside and installing a jeep led inside, I know it is a crazy idea but I've seen them work, the question is re sealing the headlights, I plan to use 3M window weld and then silicone the edges once the weld has dried..i also know a headlight has to breathe so there are 2 vent holes in the rear of each headlight with rubber caps on them, should I remove the rubber caps go act as vents since no water will be entering from the rear in the engine bay, or would that cause more moisture and should i just leave the caps on?

 

The housings will need to breathe to prevent condensation from building up. Leave the vents in place.

 

But leaving the rubber plugs on Will keep air out somewhat, should I remove the caps to expose the vent to allow air in? the red circles are what I'm talking about

 

I think those caps are designed to allow the headlight to breathe, I would leave them alone. Isn’t that what they do in the state they’re in?

 

I would think that's what they do. ill leave them on, I'm hoping this window weld then silicone will be enough to keep water and moisture out plus silica packs and the vents on the rear

 

The rubber caps have Foam inside them to allow it to breathe but not allow as much dust in.

 

Leave them alone.

 

I've used this stuff and it works very well. TRS retro rubber butyl glue. I fill the housing channel with a strip, heat up the butyl with a heat gun and press the lenses back on. Once it hardens, feels exactly like the oem glue. No leaks or condensation.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/accessories/build-materials/morimoto-retrorubber-butyl-glue.html

 

Leave the caps alone.

Windo-weld ribbon sealer works well. You wont need to silicon the lights if you use the windo-weld. Just make sure you use enough. Remove all the old crap. 3/8" thick diameter works really well. Lay it down, heat the housing in the over to soften the sealer, then slap em together and clamp overnight.

 

This is an awesome idea! How are the lights at night? I’ve found some bad ones and I’m looking for something like what you did. Thanks for posting!

 

I haven't started yet! But if you go to the thread I posted below you can see a few night shots not much though, they look pretty daggone good to me! The lights should be here between Friday and next Friday so this weekend im going to take apart the ebay set and start prepping and painting!


https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/17424331/