Making New Tail Light Rubbers?

[Ke50]

hello all,

For those that don't know my name is tom. i have two KE50's which i am semi-rebuilding one of them. (3k from spare is for sale)

 

Now a problem i have (I'm sure some other people have come across in their corolla endeavours) the tail light rubbers/gaskets are fairly perrished and ripped.

Because of this i need to make up some new ones, i was wondering if anyone knew of a good way to do this besides that silicone gasket stuff which can get quite messy and look horrible if you don't do it propperly.

 

I might also need to do this to the hatch hinges.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Tom

[Super Jamie]

go to clark rubber and buy some pool foam matting, the sort of stuff people use to pad rollcages with. cut it to suit, you could seal it to the body with a thin layer of silicon if you wanted

[Ke50]

ok, thanks for that.

i havent been able to get in contact with my usual source of information for everything corolla - lucky (andrew). what ever he doesnt know you could write on the back of a match box in all seriousness.

 

i will investigate this method. anyone else know of some other methods? the more options the better i suppose :y:

[Raven]

This might sound stupid, but i've done it before to seal up thermostat housings that require a gasket.

 

What you need:

 

Cereal Box

Scissors (or if u prefer - a scapel)

Pencil

 

Basically, trace around the tail-light until u get the required template.

 

Cut it out.

 

Smear on some gasket maker stuff on the lense, slap the template on top of that, then smear some more on the other side and bolt it up.

 

Works for me :thumbsup:

[Super Jamie]

cereal box is gloss coated on one side, this can cause sealing issues after a few months. try using manilla folder or just uncoated thin card. ghetto gasket tech 101 :thumbsup:

 

the tail light gaskets are about 10mm thick anyway

[Felix]

if you are near a capital city, go to a place that manufactures conveyor belts. they can sell you rubber sheet in pretty much any thickness you want.

 

i have used this stuff for door mirror gaskets, and also for the rear number plate lights mounted on rear bumpers and other things.

[Ke50]

Thamks for the replies guys,

I think i will combine AE85's and Felix's method together, however staying away from the silicone gasket stuff.

i think the propper rubber will last a bit longer and be a bit more effective :thumbsup:

[cookie]

just wonder can we use Superlon (black foam they use for air con) to fill up the edge of the tail light :thumbsup:

[kangaroosa]

just wonder can we use Superlon (black foam they use for air con) to fill up the edge of the tail light :thumbsup:

I would suggest that you get something that doesnt hold water. If it's what i think your talking about, then no.

Try a dense rubber .

[cookie]

just wonder can we use Superlon (black foam they use for air con) to fill up the edge of the tail light  :thumbsup:

I would suggest that you get something that doesnt hold water. If it's what i think your talking about, then no.

Try a dense rubber .

thks I get ur advice as end of the day it holds water = rust =)

[Rolla__Boy]

Everyone knows that the only suitable thermostat housing gasket to be used during the summernats is corn flakes box...Only has to last a few days :D hehe

 

I know a few people who have done it

[Super Jamie]

nikki's ke30 went to jamboree 13 with a cornflake packet diff gasket that i made for it on my driveway several months before. i believe it was still in the car when she rolled it too

[Rolla__Boy]

Well....that explains why she rolled it then

[Super Jamie]

nah, throttle cable stuck down, common ke30 problem

[Rolla__Boy]

Never happened to me...in any of the 15-20 corolla's I have had on the road

 

I must just be awesome