Instructions for selecting and using sealants for car headlights

Novice drivers are not very well versed in the world of car accessories, but experienced drivers know that it is better to equip the car with everything necessary so that problems do not arise later. One of the most fragile elements of car design is optics. Mirrors and headlights can easily break in a collision - if it is not possible to change the optics, drivers purchase headlight sealant.

What it is? The substance is an adhesive composition, but even an experienced driver, not to mention a novice in driving, can get confused in choosing! A good adhesive should have good adhesion and cure quickly. There are several types of sealant on the market: polyurethane, silicone, anaerobic, heat-resistant. It is advisable to understand all types better.

Once you've checked out the best car headlight sealant options, you can start making your selection! Let's find out which sealant received high marks.

Sikaflex Construction+

Price: 754 rub. (for one tube)

It's hard to find negative reviews about Sikaflex Construction+ - almost all customers give it 5 stars out of 5! The sealant can be purchased either as a set or as one tube. Used for various purposes: sealing/insulating joints near windows, etc.

When hardened, the sealant does not create foam and has no odor, so you can work with it even with the window closed. Sikaflex Construction+ is made in Switzerland, and as we know, the Swedes are good when it comes to such products!

Pros:

• good adhesion;
• snow-white color;
• quality;
• has no smell.

Minuses:

• price:
• After application, if you don’t clean the spout, it dries out and you can no longer use it.

Stages of work

Conductive glue 4 homemade recipes. Conductive glue

To seal the glass you will need:

• prepare the glue itself. To do this, dilute it and, if necessary, heat it to the melting temperature indicated on the package;
• clean, dry and degrease the surface;
• To seal a crack, heat its edges, where the mixture will be applied next. This is done due to the fact that many types of glue can only be glued to hot (warm) surfaces;
• lubricate the surface and glue it without any effort;
• fix the crack on the tail light. For this purpose, fiberglass and wire are suitable, which must be secured with a frame on the damaged surface to prevent the development of cracks;
• allow the composition to dry (drying time is indicated on the packaging), then remove excess material.

Sealing glass on a car headlight

Alternative ways to glue a car headlight are as follows:

• If you want to glue imperfections on car glass the old fashioned way, you don’t have to buy glue, but get by using a soldering iron. It is suitable if your headlight is made of plastic, as it can melt its edges and glue them back together without the use of foreign substances.
• You can also glue a damaged tail light using plastic tablets. You just need to heat one tablet and then spread it on the damaged glass. After hardening, the surface is treated with a fine-grained abrasive (sandpaper, abrasive clay) to eliminate excess material.
• Sealant can seal cracks of different sizes well. The algorithm of actions here is similar to working with glue. You can choose a “native” sealant (the one used by the manufacturer of your car model) or buy a high-quality analogue. The main rule is to strictly follow the instructions, especially in terms of diluting and heating the composition.
• You can glue the cracks with a special cloth. It is laid at the crack site and filled with acetone. Acetone begins to dissolve the components of the fabric, transforming them into an adhesive composition. Car enthusiasts note the fast drying time of this mixture - approximately 1-1.5 hours.

Using plastic tablets we seal the rear light

If none of the above methods work for you, or you have not yet purchased sealant, you can temporarily seal the surface with tape. Pre-treat the surface as you would with glue and glue the crack. Scotch tape, depending on the quality of the work and the material itself, can glue a crack for a period of from several days to several months.

DoneDeal DD6870

Price: 488 rub.

Almost everyone is satisfied with the DoneDeal DD6870 sealant Universal and viscous - it glues almost all materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

DoneDeal DD6870 can easily glue almost all types of plastic, foam rubber, glass, carpets, fabrics, etc. The adhesive can withstand loads, vibrations, high temperatures and exposure to technical fluids. This glue is a great choice!

Pros:

• withstands shock loads;
• resistant to alkalis and technical liquids;
• resistant to temperature changes;
• Once the polymerization procedure is complete, you can paint it with enamels and varnishes.

Minuses:

• not detected.

Soudal 40 FC

Price: 560 rub. (per file package)

In theory, first they begin to describe all the advantages of the product - sometimes you want to break the rules, but you won’t be able to! And all because Soudal 40 FC simply has no flaws. This sealant has excellent quality, high elasticity and is easy to use.

Soudal 40 FC is sold in two versions: tube and sausage, choose according to your taste. According to drivers, “sausage” is a more convenient option. The sealant has excellent adhesion and remains elastic after polymerization.

Pros:

• high elasticity;
• quality;
• ease of application;
• result;
• price.

Minuses:

• not detected.

How to use the composition correctly

Even the highest quality option will not provide adequate reliability if the work technology has been violated. Therefore, you need to follow a few simple tips in order to achieve a good result:

1. The remnants of the old composition, if present, are sure to hit. This is done mechanically using a degreaser or other product.
2. The surface to be bonded should be thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt and degreased. If they are smooth, sanding may be necessary to improve adhesion.

   
   Before gluing, the surface must be cleaned and degreased.

3. The instructions for using the sealant must be carefully studied before starting work. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to eliminate any problems and get the desired result.
4. After gluing, the parts must be secured using clamps or other devices so that the parts do not move during the polymerization of the sealant. It is imperative to follow the manufacturer's recommended drying time.

To speed up the hardening of the composition, you can use a hair dryer or any other heat source.

SantekhMaster Gel

Price: 210 rub.

SantekhMaster Gel is easy to apply, after installation nothing sticks out anywhere (many people worry about this, but don’t!). The main advantages of this anaerobic sealant are the speed of polymerization, ease of subsequent dismantling and ease of use.

This sealant allows you to achieve 100% sealing, it does not collapse under the influence of the environment. The glue dries quickly and turns to polymer in the joints at room temperature. Resistant to vibrations and shocks.

Pros:

• ease of use;
• quality;
• monolithic connection.

Minuses:

• price;
• not a very comfortable tube.

Kim Tec Silicon 101E

Price: 539 rub.

Universal sealant is an elastic, resistant seal when exposed to air moisture. Kim Tec Silicon 101E can be used in many ways, but its main task is to seal and glue.

If you believe the reviews (why lie to customers?) the sealant contains antifungal additives, it is of very high quality, and dries quickly. Silicone sealant forms an even seam, so you don’t have to worry about the appearance of the headlights.

Pros:

• quality;
• easy to apply;
• holds well;
• different colors;
• durable.

Minuses:

• smell;
• difficult to wash off hands.

Useful tips

When working in a garage where the heating is poor, it is better to warm up the sealant and base. Working with halogen headlights is difficult, so in this case it is better to resort to the services of specialists. The remaining adhesive is removed from the outer surface after the layer has hardened.

When working in a garage where the heating is poor, it is better to warm up the sealant and base.

Headlight glass sealant will help make repairs that are durable and unnoticeable. But when working, you should follow the technology; it is also important to choose the appropriate option, taking into account all the features of the material and operating conditions.

Dow corning 7091

Price: RUR 1,587

of Dow corning 7091 sealant is due to many factors, first of all – excellent quality! It reliably and permanently glues and seals various materials.

The main advantages include fast curing at room temperature, strong adhesion, elasticity (even in the hottest and coldest weather), resistance to vibration, etc. Since Dow corning 7091 has a paste-like consistency, it does not drip during operation.

Pros:

• universal gluing;
• quality;
• appearance;
• ease of application;
• vibration resistant.

Minuses:

• not detected.

Which sealant to choose?

Sealants for car headlights are selected based on the following requirements for them:

• Reliable fastening of glass and plastic external elements of the headlight. Ensuring the level of tightness depends on the reliability of gluing. Although the correct process of using the product and “straight hands” are still largely important here.
• Anti-vibration . The headlights of a car are always subject to shaking when it moves. Therefore, the sealant should not burst under appropriate mechanical stress.
• Resistance to high temperatures . This is especially true for headlights with halogen lamps. Sealant for car headlights must also be high-temperature.
• Packaging volume . A standard package of sealant is enough to repair one or two or three headlights.
• Ease of removal from the surface . Often, when working, particles of sealant remain from under the seam or simply on the surface (or on your hands). It is convenient if it can be removed without any problems, and at the same time it is of sufficient quality.
• Transparency after application . This requirement is relevant if it is not the perimeter of the headlight/glass that is being sealed, but a crack in the glass or other defect is being repaired. Otherwise, the hardened sealant will leave even a small spot on the glass, which will reduce the efficiency of the headlight.
• Value for money . It is best to choose products from the middle or highest price category, since cheap formulations often do not cope with the task assigned to them.

ANATERM 8K

Price: 28,790 rub. (per 1 kg)

ANATERM 8K adhesive is anaerobic and is intended for locking, fixing and sealing smooth and threaded joints. ANATERM 8K is durable, highly elastic and has low sensitivity to oily surfaces.

The sealant can be used at temperatures from –60°C to +200°C. – that is, it can withstand any temperature changes. The biggest advantage of sealant is its elasticity. Since the sealant is thixotropic, it prevents spontaneous dripping during application.

Pros:

• accelerated hardening;
• quality;
• ease of application;
• elasticity;
• durability.

Minuses:

• not detected.

Main varieties

Modern auto sealants have a polymer base with the inclusion of hardeners and fillers, which allow the substances to reliably glue fragments into a single whole without disturbing the optical characteristics of the products. The consistency of sealants is liquid or paste depending on the component composition. Sealant for headlights is packaged in tubes, bottles, jars, cylinders, rolls. For convenient application of glue, the packaging is equipped with a conical spout - a removable dispenser.

To prevent the light from scattering and deteriorating the quality of lighting, the glass is glued to the base of the headlights using sealants, the range of which is quite diverse on the automotive market. It is most convenient to use ready-made one-component substances for quick sealing of car headlights. All sealants are classified into four broad groups.

Silicone

The density, viscosity and elasticity of silicone material are the main advantages characteristic of silicone adhesives. The materials include rubber of fluorosiloxane, siloxane, and organosilicon origin. Special additives and atmospheric moisture give the substances high elasticity. Features of silicone sealants for headlight glasses:

• They have qualities characteristic of elastic and elastic rubber.
• Used to seal seams and cracks 5-6 mm deep.
• Provides even coverage of the treated surface.
• Maintain technical characteristics at temperatures up to +250°C.
• Disadvantage - they are susceptible to the aggressive effects of fuels and lubricants, antifreeze, and oils.

Resistance to high temperatures is an added benefit of using silicone for headlights, as some halogen bulbs get very hot. Silicone-based substances effectively replace damaged or worn elastic gaskets. The area of ​​use of sealants is glass, windows, lanterns, hatches.

Polyurethane

Among the entire range of gluing compounds, polyurethane compounds are the most popular. This is due to the versatility of using sealants - they are suitable for gluing headlights, body parts made of glass, plastic and metal. Polyurethane compounds are characterized by high adhesion to different types of surfaces. Sealants have good waterproof properties and do not allow air to pass through. Other benefits of polyurethane sealant for car headlights:

1. Wide operating temperature range – -60+80C°.
2. Possibility of use in any climatic conditions.
3. Resistance to aggressive environments - fuels and lubricants, acids, alkalis.
4. Reliability of the sealed layer, moisture and air tightness.
5. Elasticity, uniform processing of geometrically complex shapes.

Gluing headlights with polyurethane sealant allows you to obtain a uniform layer on the surface being treated, which has spring properties under mechanical stress and deformation. After application, the material does not shrink, so re-processing is not necessary. Most service stations use polyurethane sealants for gluing headlight glasses. An insignificant disadvantage of sealants is the inclusion of toxic components in the composition, which requires the use of personal protective equipment when sealing.

Anaerobic

A separate category of materials for the restoration of car headlights is anaerobic sealants. The main advantage of the compositions is high plasticity. Substances remain elastic for a long time when exposed to air and begin to quickly harden in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic type sealant can be used as a gasket layer, suitable for sealing flange joints, but is most often used for restoring headlights. Key features of the compositions:

3M PU 590

Price: 790 rub.

Our selection continues with sealant in a simple tube 3M PU 590 . This polyurethane adhesive is very popular among motorists for its fast cure time (24 hours), hardness and appearance.

The glue shows fantastic strength within 3 hours after application, all you have to do is test it! The glue can be used in a variety of applications: for gluing window blocks or headlights. Hardening time until no stickiness: 30 minutes.

Pros:

• color;
• quality;
• fast hardening time;
• durability;
• reliability.

Minuses:

• not detected.

Instructions for use

Before using any product, regardless of its shape and type, the surface must be carefully prepared. The headlight and base are cleaned of dirt and old sealant (if any), degreased, while working carefully so as not to damage the lens. Then apply the product in a thin layer, following the instructions:

• liquid formulations are distributed using a dispenser,
• paste-like products are squeezed out using a glue gun,
• The tapes are cut and glued by hand.

If the sealant is not anaerobic, the parts must be pressed well together. When the room is cold, it is recommended to warm up the seam and glued elements with a hair dryer. Afterwards you need to wait until it dries completely (usually no more than 30 minutes).

Emfimastic PB

Price: 420 rub.

This brand of glue is produced in France, and it’s worth giving credit to the French! Emfimastic PB glues both homogeneous and dissimilar materials as reliably as possible, ideal for mounting car optics.

The glue does not smell, is harmless to humans, and can be used even indoors with closed windows and vents. For application, the manufacturer recommends using an air gun.

Pros:

• easy to use;
• highly effective;
• weatherproof 3 hours after application;
• does not foam.

Minuses:

• not detected.

Sealing car headlights

The procedure is designed to reduce the penetration of moisture and precipitation into the vehicle's lighting elements. The presence of moisture in the headlights is indicated by the intense formation of water vapor condensation on their surface.

Ignoring the problem for a long time can lead to reduced lighting efficiency, loss of headlights and even the colonization of fungi and bacteria, which can reduce visibility while driving.

The quality of sealing is influenced by factors such as the type of glass and the type of surface being bonded. The following nuances are also of great importance:

• Proper preparation for the procedure of replacing car glass;
• Thorough cleaning of bonded surfaces;
• Selected type of gluing system;
• Selection of high-quality sealants;
• Recommendations from manufacturers of individual products and accessories.

Sometimes properly cleaning the surface of the headlight can be problematic, especially if it has been used for a long time or has already been glued. To deal with such stains, you can use cleaning and degreasers, preferably with proven effectiveness.