I need to reseal my taillights (water intrusion). I'd like to use black rtv silicone sealant/adhesive. Can I just put a thick layer of this over the original gummy type seal already in place? Would the RTV still cure on top of the original stuff?

Would I be better off removing that gummy seal from the factory? Any tips on getting it off?

 

I would personally take the old off as best you can. Try a razor blade. I had some leaks after I half assed a tail swap. Ended up removing and cleaning old stuff off and resealing. All good ever since.

 

I second that. Probably good to clean them first.

 

Get rubber butyl instead. That's what Nissan uses.

 

^^good suggestion. Iv used this in the past years.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-777-Bu...item2a1fdf27b8

 

I prefer the tape:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/acc...bber-glue.html

Can be purchased from home improvement stores as well.

 

3m Window Weld works good if your in a hurry and you can get it from autoparts store

 

I use a windshield sealant of what ever brand I can get. This it the last one I used and it worked great. It is a little bit thinner than silicone and does not dry into a glue like silicone.

http://www.amazon.com/Versachem-2730.../dp/B0002KLBI8

You need to put on at least a 1/4" bead. Despite what others have said, I have never cleaned off the old sealer if it was the factory type.

 

I just reused the factory gunk. If you kick out the lens evenly (yes, get in the trunk and use your foot lol) and it doesn't come apart weird (making it stringy and uneven all over), then you can reuse all of it or close to it. On one light I didn't need to add anything. On the other I just added some RTV in the gaps.

Of course, do this in the summer heat or heat it up, first.

 

This job...

I estimate about 2-3 hours to remove ALL the factory gunk. I'm not taking any chances. Next job is sound deadening so I need this trunk to stay dry.

Here are some tips for anybody else doing this:
1. Use a plastic knife to scoop as much of the factory goo off as possible. A metal screwdriver is probably fine for the tail lights, but it will scratch the paint off the body. And in my case there was gunk on both the taillights and body of the car. AWESOME!!!
2. Get a stiff bristle tooth brush, coat it in some baby oil, and scrub at the rest of the junk. Wipe the brush on a rag to clean it between scrubbings.
3. Use paper towels to wipe away the liquid mess left by step 2.
4. Finish up with some degreaser before applying the new sealant. I chose a product called CRL 777 Butyl Rubber. I plan on laying it on THICK.
5. DO NOT forget to seal around the 4 bolt holes holding each light in. The factory rubber washers were deteriorated so I removed them.

Next up... Putting in my new trunk weather stripping. I really love this car. Test drove a newer accord, optima, sonata, and G37. Still not willing to part with my AE.

 

I checked yesterday. No leaks after several inches of rain.

 

I like your style. I wish I thought of using my foot. Unfortunately I had the weird stringy all over the place thing happening when my lights were finally removed. It might have been the temperature?