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My headlight ballast and bulb blew out after I think snow melting and water getting in the crack. I just found out there was a crack today but it is barely visible. I just replaced the lightbulbt and got it working again but for the future would some painters tape over the crack work?
^^ Yeah, I have a crack in one of the side markers on my Jeep that ended up blowing the bulb and causing all sorts of electrical issues with the turn signals. All I did was fill it with clear silicone.
Thanks to both of you! Would the painters tape be a good temporary fix? Just curious as I have an unsteady hand haha
Are you talking about the blue masking tape?
Basically, your need is to keep moisture out of the headlight assembly. Anyway you can do that, without obstructing the light, will be good enough until you can get the SuperGlue or Silicone in there.
Don't y'all have issues with the heat of the lamp degrading the adhesive? Does it last well?
Well, mine is on a side marker so it isn't nearly as hot, but the bulb is damned near touching the lens. It's been thru two really hot summers and one really cold winter with no issues.
Silicone softens and melts away from ambient temperature and oncoming air flow. Don't askl me how I know. Plenty of heat is produced by any light bulb, simply touch any lens by hand with lights on.
Super glue deteriorates and peels off very fast. I use cyanoacrylates, aka super glues, in various foprms, in my trade almost weekly and am well familiar with them. For starters, any crack in polycarbonate, for SG to stick, needs to be deepened/widened, and surface roughened for SG to stick. Also, surface must be absolutely grease/oil free, so do your work in gloves. I do heartily recommend use of ZipKicker or equivalent SG promoter. But I guarantee you that is rather short period of time, SG will turn white, milky, sor tof bubbly and will start peeling off.
The only chemical I can recommend for polycarbonate or plastic crack filler is acrylic resin. That is what is used in windshield repair kits and, if properly applied, is flexible and much more durable fix. All precautions mentioned above should be followed. As I do work with acrylics and esters too, even more.
There is a much stronger compound made by Fabtech, quick set 2 part resin, that holds like crazy, but it is not clear. Yet, extremely durable and strong. We have patients walking on components bonded together with that resin, and it never fails. But you can not buy it outside of our suppliers.
You can use this: Loctite Epoxy Quick Set from Loctite Adhesives
but again, crack has to be enlarged, and filled. Will leave a non-opaque line, but it will be absolutely durable and sealed.
Good luck. Don't do half arsed jobs with occasional materials.
My solution: put a strip of clear packing tape over the crack. I've had that tape stay on for a couple of years. If it starts to come off, just peel it off and put another strip on.
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