Why do SSE/SSEI tails delam? What can be done to prevent?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Why do SSE/SSEI tails delam? What can be done to prevent?
I am getting SSEi Tails for my 95 SLE and I am wondering what I can do to prevent delam since the set I am getting is mint. I am thinking PlastX from Meguiars to stop uv-rays from hitting the lenses cause that'* the purpose of the product, and I hear also moisture gets in? What about sealing the edges with a thin coat of silicone? What other ideas are there? Will any of this help me?
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 2
Well, part of it is, or was in my case and I suspect in many because of where a lot of delam starts, is the corner of the trunk lid hits the lense edge when shut hard, causing a crack to begin.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
and that would allow moisture in too, interesting...sounds very sound....anyone else? 
I'm trying to collect data here to ascertain the best methods for delam prevention...
I'm trying to collect data here to ascertain the best methods for delam prevention...
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,756
Likes: 1
i think differently
its not from the trunk hitting the tails, its from when the Water drips off of the trunk Lid it drops right onto the Tail light. The water then seeps down between the clear lense, and the black lines
also the Expansion and contraction of the plastic cause the black to separate from the clear, as the black insert is "melted" to the clear when they are assembled
when i put on my SSEi tails, i ran a bead of RTV around the entire lenses to prevent the moisture from getting in....so far so good....although i havent seen teh car in about 3 months....
its not from the trunk hitting the tails, its from when the Water drips off of the trunk Lid it drops right onto the Tail light. The water then seeps down between the clear lense, and the black lines
also the Expansion and contraction of the plastic cause the black to separate from the clear, as the black insert is "melted" to the clear when they are assembled
when i put on my SSEi tails, i ran a bead of RTV around the entire lenses to prevent the moisture from getting in....so far so good....although i havent seen teh car in about 3 months....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
RTV....very good idea! I might just do that....where exactly did you run it, like can you show a picture or be descriptive? Maybe some of the other members can do this too as a preventative measure....
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,342
Likes: 0
From: Quincy, Ma
sun, heat, moisture, cold, bumping, any number of things can cause it.
even 2000 + can get them.
I don't really think you can really avoid it.
if I had to pick one thing to avoid. when a light is out. Don't bang on the lens to see if it will go back on.
even 2000 + can get them.
I don't really think you can really avoid it.
if I had to pick one thing to avoid. when a light is out. Don't bang on the lens to see if it will go back on.
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 15,928
Likes: 1
Re: Why do SSE/SSEI tails delam? What can be done to prevent
Originally Posted by ChilinMichael
I am thinking PlastX from Meguiars to stop uv-rays from hitting the lenses cause that'* the purpose of the product,