LittleBlack02

hey guys im fixing my headlight today (theres moisture in it and its making it all foggy) whats the best way to get the old calk out of the seems of the headlight?
i know the whole process with the oven and all, this is my second time doing it and i dont think it worked the first time because i didn't get all the old calk out so it didn't fit snug.
help! so i can get this done fast

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

shouldnt really be putting caulk in there. you need the butyl stuff that comes on a roll, very similar to what they use at the factory. 3M windoweld ribbon sealer and most auto stores carry it. its sticky and flexible. just shove it in the channel, heat it up, and push the halves together.

LittleBlack02

well im gonna need to get the original calk out to put 3M windoweld in, what do you recommend i do? a razor blade didn't work to efficiently.

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

What a mess. I hate caulk. After it's set really the only way is to carve it out... which is hella time consuming.

LittleBlack02

the ovens heating up right now.
glad im gonna spend 3 hours carving calk lol

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Yea. Call your local hardware store and see if they have anything that would soften it up. I think anything that would though might damage the headlights though. So be careful.

LittleBlack02

nah i just sat there with a razor pen for like an hour or two and carved it out. worked perfect. just need to fix the haze.
i have plast-x but no buffer...if i do the DIY by hand will that work?

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

It does work but it takes a long take and you will get a decent workout from it. Especially if you just carved caulk for two hours LOL... There is actually a DIY on the RSX forum where the guy does it by hand...

This is becoming more work than you thought I bet!

LittleBlack02

well unfortunately for my headlights, and fortunately for my arms i don't have the right sand paper to do it, so i'm saving that for another time and im just going to wash her

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

There ya go... It's no big deal you can do it with them on the car.. It's way easier with a little die sander tho.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

try flathead screwdriver to scrape the old caulk out?

LittleBlack02

so i didn't listen to gearbox and used clear window calk...didn't work theres a waste of 5 dollars (note to self: listen to gearbox)
so i went out today got the windoweld, sand paper, and masking tape. finally going to fix my headlight (for good) today, I'll post before and after pics. of course.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

you got the 3m windoweld ribbon sealer in a flat box right? the gooey one thats rolled up in a circle. if you got the one that looks like caulking in a tube, its completely different and not what you want.

LittleBlack02

luckily i did.
even tho im never going to need that much sealer ever again lol im done. im gonna wash her and post pics

LittleBlack02

well here we go:
before:


After:



finally. thank god.

LittleBlack02

i didn't buff hard enough
i'll have to redo the buffing when i do my girlfriends car tomorrow
still alot better! and no moisture

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Huge Improvement!!!

LittleBlack02

my arms got tired from buffing lol
luckily I have more sandpaper and Plast-X to do it tomorrow

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

looks great, a bit more work and they will be like new again

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Nice med cabinet you got rockin' there too haha Can't wait to see the FInAL result.

LittleBlack02

now do you think i should resand and the buff? or just buff?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

if you have a drill buffer wheel attachment, you should be able to just use plast-x and it will clear up. but by hand, you might need more sanding or at least rubbing compound. thats all on the outside im guessing right? cause when i had water damage, it left some haze on the inside too.