Sealing Automotive Tail Light Assembly

Hi All:

I had to change out some bulbs from my 2004 Tacoma tail lights. The gasket was pretty deformed so I ordered a new OEM one from Toyota. The gasket feels like its partial foam and rubber.

Anyway, what I wanted to ask was what would be good to add to the gasket to help create a better seal and potentially make the gasket last a bit longer. I was thinking a type of grease? Also, I didn't want to add anything that would make clean up difficult on my next removal. Something that would easily wash off with soap and water, as thats how I cleaned it up this time. Any suggestions would be great.


Thanks,
magic

 

Well, there's not really something you can do, because as you screw the tailight back, the colored lens will squish the gasket in the groove, preventing water and dust from getting in.

Sounds like your gasket was cooked. Common for trim or weatherstripping on older cars. Can't prevent that

You can replace the tailights gasket with foam screen spline (this is what the original gasket is, by the way)
I did service my lights last year and I lost a gasket, and that's what I did

 

You shouldn't really need anything extra if it stays in place when you install it, but if you feel you do, a very light layer of silicone caulk from Lowes/Home Depot would work. I would only seal the gasket to lamp, not to body. That way it will come off with the lamp next time and shouldn't be damaged. You could probably just put it on in select areas to hold the gasket on all sides.

Auto parts stores have plenty of silicone sealers also. But if it were me I'd find other uses around the house for the rest of the tube of caulking. If you don't have any other uses (or caulking gun), I'd buy a small tube from Autozone or wherever.

 

Just use it as is. Adding silicone etc to the lens and housing will cause you a headache later when you're trying to replace a bulb. You don't want to crack the lens trying to pry it off the housing while it's bonded together with silicone.

 

Thanks for responding.

Yes, I agree, no caulking.

What do you think of adding Silicone Grease? I read it's used in pool equipment for the o-rings. Again, this is just to help improve the seal since I'll have it out and a new gasket to start with.

Thanks

 

I use silicon grease for o-rings on my lights and camera housing for scuba diving. You only need a little tiny bit of it. I think my dive light is rated for like 300 feet which is 133psi. Those seals are no joke.

The big difference being the tail light is foam and the dive gear's o-rings are something much more solid. Probably like the pool equipment.

 

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/o...9dGFjb21hJnk9MTk5NyZ0PXNyNSZlPTMtNGwtdjYtZ2Fz

wow, these gaskets are $8.61 each lol

am going to be removing tailight assemblies soon for taco surgery and will most likely have to replace a 23 year old never been touched before piece

 

Forget the silicone and other stuff. The original gasket lasted 15 years, so will the replacement gasket.

 

No need to over think it, just replace the gasket. As long as the plastic on the lenses are relatively intact, you should be fine.

 

Grote makes something for sealing around lights.

It is made just for that purpose I have a tube around someplace.

It is great for keeping the liquid brine out

 

My suggestion is to add nothing and just replace the gasket. Why do we so often believe we can do it better than Toyota.