Headlight fogging

[topsyt]

My daughter`s Pontiac G5 has a headlight that is leaking water and it is fogging, so looking at some options.

1. Get some OCI Butyl rubber and reseal it. Never tried this before, but have checked into it, doesn`t sound that difficult.
2. Aftermarket headlight. On a different car, I bought cheapy aftermarket replacement headlights, they didn`t do very well. I also have bought CAPA replacement headlight and taillight, not much better.
3. OEM part is in the $180 - $230 range.

Looks like option 1, reseal, is the way to go, unless I find that it rarely is successful.

Thanks for your input

[JSFM35X]

I have heard of people "baking" headlights opening them up cleaning them out and reselling them. Just don`t over due it in the oven. It is just to soften glue

[TroyScherer]

Obviously you need to make sure you dry it out and clean out the inside to make sure the light looks & works properly. So the "baking method" is needed to take the cover off the light and then the re-seal.


I would look for a used headlight from local junk-yards or even ebay.

[mnehls86]

It`s been a long time since I did it but I have baked headlight housings before and I was a little nervous at first but it turned out fine.

[KBzPTGT]

Plenty of YouTube vids on how to do this. I`ve never done it but it doesn`t seem to difficult as long as the factory seal is not made out of Kryptonite

[Accumulator]

I myself would just bite the bullet and buy a new OE headlight. One of the A8`s headlight capsules is just starting to get condensation under certain conditions, and once it progresses to the "oughta do something about it"-point I`m just gonna buy one from my Audi dealer. Pricey things, A8 headlights!

[topsyt]

I think I`ll give the reseal a shot, the headlight is in excellent condition, and the Butyl isn`t too expensive. Thanks everyone

[The Guz]

Obviously you need to make sure you dry it out and clean out the inside to make sure the light looks & works properly. So the "baking method" is needed to take the cover off the light and then the re-seal.


I would look for a used headlight from local junk-yards or even ebay.

I would agree with this. You can actually use a hair dryer or a heat gun and just constantly move it so you are not heating up one area. It will help dry out the lens.

I think I`ll give the reseal a shot, the headlight is in excellent condition, and the Butyl isn`t too expensive. Thanks everyone

You could also get some silicone and seal the edge of the light. I used silicone when I opened up my headlights and resealed them.