Always listen to TW members!!

so, before i went and bought my new aftermarket headlights (blacked out inside) for my 07 taco, i came to you guys to see what you thought. and immediately someone said, no problem the headlights are as good as or better than oem as specified, but they suggested to silicone around the lenses before installation.

i did not listen to this warning, i recieved the headlights, and installed them. fit and looked great!

2 weeks later, i notice fog in one light, im like ahh crap... the next day, a pool of water in both headlights. had to remove both, not that hard. was able to take them inside, use a hair dryer on medium heat, that removed most of the moisture right away. then luckily i had my wood stove going, took out plugs in the headlights and sat them 4 feet from the stove, when i turned the lights upright, literally a pool of water came out. with closer inspection, noticed there were 2 spots on BOTH lights that had silicone but not close enough to seal the lens, there was a 1/8 gap the whole bottom length of each light.

seller on ebay was very helpful and was willing to replace them free, but could not guarantee the next wouldnt be the same.

so i put clear waterproof silicone all around the lights when they were dry, just like i should have in the first place, no headache....

LISTEN TO THE TW MEMBERS!!! they know what theyre talking about!

thanks guys!

 

shouldn't use silicone to seal headlights

silicone oil outgasses over time, and hazes things up
after a few years

 

You usually learn the lesson only once lol

 

see another lesson already lol! damnit.. well i guess ill spend another 100$ for new headlights in a couple years then...

 

What would be better? Epoxy maybe?

 

Urethane sealant.

 

no use headlight or glass-specific seals

 

I need to do this to mine but I don't wana deal with it

 

Bubble gum.

 

.^^^

 

Using GE silicone II many times, I have NEVER had 1 leak and NEVER had 1 problem with offgassing.

After using the silicone, u should leave all bulbs and drain tubes/caps off for a few hours (I always gave them 24hrs to offgas).....then install the harware.

Times may vary....like I said, I waited 24hrs but that's because I wasn't in a hurrry and was more focused on curing and no hazing.

GE silicone II is perfectly fine to use........ YMMV depending on how long u wait for it to cure.

I've used it on retrofits, and even simple bhlms with halogen and/or HIDs

 

I wish OP's statement was true of all TW members.