Valenti Red Lens Tail Light-moisture build-up

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by xFury

Is there any DIY or something we can do to prevent this? Planning to get a new tailight and want to avoid this before putting it in. Just had my local shop say to white the surface to make sure theres no dust and such before putting it in.

Here you go! http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26217
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[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by protpibe

If you're going Toms to avoid moisture, think again. I'm on my second set of red JDM Toms and I just noticed moisture in one of lenses as I stored the car for winter this week.

I hate every single tail light for this platform lol

Valenti are my favorite, but after this...

Tom's was my only other option. The OEM tail lights lack flair.

I installed DEPO LED tails on my Golf R and had no problems.

[Agent 86]

So, I got my Valenti passenger's side tail light back on 11/7/15. I shipped it to Emotion USA on 10/12/15. Just 5 days shy of a month.

I guess because of FT86 SpeedFactory's involvement, Emotion USA returned my light without charging me return shipping and they sent me a new gasket.

I'm pleased to report that the major water streaking that was on the inside surface of the tail light is pretty much gone. My guess it that the 2 or 3 ounces of water that got into the light actually washed away the horrible streaking seen in previous photos. There are, however, water spots on the inside of the lens. Fortunately, the spots are small and no where near as bad as the streaks were.

[Agent 86]

I removed the OEM tail lights, and installed the Valentis today.

Now that I know that the gasket is undersized and the cause for the leaking, I took a different approach to installing the tail lights.

The OEM tail lights on my 2014 has the gaskets actually glued to the back of the light. Looks like Subaru used some kind of adhesive tape between the tail light and the gasket. I have had no leaking with my OEM lights.

I decided to take a similar approach. I did not have any double sided tape, but I did have a couple rolls of 3M double sided foam tape. It's used for installing body side molding and other body attachments.

I cleaned the area with 90% rubbing alcohol, warmed up the 3M product with a hair dryer since it was a bit cold in my garage. Applying a bit of heat seems to help activate the 3M tape. Then I applied the 3M tape. I used a single piece so that there would be no openings, and had the sections meet at the bottom of the tail light.

My idea is that the 3M tape will hold the gasket in place, and add a mother layer to the back of the tail light. Also, the 3M tape actually wraps around the raised area that seals the back to the gasket.

[Agent 86]

Before I upload the photos, I will say that I really like the design of these tail lights. The quality seems decent. The light bar really looks good at night and when there isn't much light outside. The brake lights are effective and bright. IMO, the turn signals could be better, but shouldn't present a problem.

The bad news is that the gasket needs to be redesigned. It is far to small at the top of the back side of the light. This is the point of failure and Emotion USA's addendum instructing users to adjust the gasket higher is a fail.

I was not able to get the gasket to rest higher as I inserted the tail light using just my fingers. The gasket has to be stretched (deformed) to get the 1/4" coverage at the top that Emotion USA says should be there.

Using the 3M tape held the stretched gasket in place long enough for me to get the tail light in place. I'm crossing my fingers that this is going to work. I will take my car to the high pressure hand sprayed car wash to test the seal.

Will post photos and updates.

[Gringosteve]

Do they sell sugru in America? It's like playdoh but dries to a solid semiflexible rubber. May be worth trying to create your own seal with this or similar?

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by Gringosteve

Do they sell sugru in America? It's like playdoh but dries to a solid semiflexible rubber. May be worth trying to create your own seal with this or similar?

I've never heard of it, but I understand the concept. I'll look into it, if my solution does not work. Thanks!

[Packofcrows]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

The light probably will continue to function. But it will continue to show dried moisture streaks caused by the moisture that entered through the undersized gasket.

Maybe it's me, but having the distributor issue an advisory after the problem arises, but not admitting any culpability, or replacement for the consumer just doesn't seem like customer service.

Maybe, they read ft86club.com and will show their faces. Not likely, huh.

This is my Valenti Red passenger's tail light. The irony. It's crying on the inside!

It got too excited when you put it on your car. Blue light time.

[Gringosteve]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

I've never heard of it, but I understand the concept. I'll look into it, if my solution does not work. Thanks!

I can always ship some over for you if needs be mate

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

It got too excited when you put it on your car. Blue light time.

I don't understand your comment???

[phrosty]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

I just took out my tail light, I noticed the Valenti gasket is thin, REALLY thin. I compared it to the OEM gasket and what do I see? The OEM gasket is twice as big in thickness compared to valenti.

The Valenti tails I just installed came with a gasket thicker than OE and wide enough that there was easily 1/2" space along the sides. I wonder if they've sourced some new gaskets.

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by phrosty

The Valenti tails I just installed came with a gasket thicker than OE and wide enough that there was easily 1/2" space along the sides. I wonder if they've sourced some new gaskets.

How about the top edge? Is the gasket oversized at the top?

I ask because I was just sent a new replacement gasket, and it's the same size as the gasket that originally came with my Valenti. While there is adequate gasket extending to the sides and to the bottom of the tail light, the top coverage is still the same. About 1/8" at the top.

If there is in fact a new gasket, that's good news for future Valenti buyers.

[phrosty]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

How about the top edge? Is the gasket oversized at the top?

Top side looked great. If they weren't already installed, I'd take a pic. Maybe I just got lucky :/.

One thing you might try is to get some 3M weatherstripping adhesive to glue the gasket to the housing. Should allow you to place the gasket exactly as you want it and prevent it from sliding/pinching as you install it.

[jawn]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

How about the top edge? Is the gasket oversized at the top?

I ask because I was just sent a new replacement gasket, and it's the same size as the gasket that originally came with my Valenti. While there is adequate gasket extending to the sides and to the bottom of the tail light, the top coverage is still the same. About 1/8" at the top.

If there is in fact a new gasket, that's good news for future Valenti buyers.

My replacement lens came in, and it had slightly more coverage on top than the ones they replaced. I forgot to take pictures, but I was pretty pleased with how the gaskets looked.