1963 Comet Custom tail light housing question....
Asked by Marvette Jun 05, 2016 at 12:09 PM about the 1963 Mercury Comet
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
On the backside of the aluminum housing, there is a hard, partially
deteriorated donut-looking gasket or whatever which I guess creates the
seal to the car. It is about 1.25 inches thick. There are four of these as I
have four tail lights. Mounting bolts or screws go through the said
piece..and the electrical wires through the large opening in the middle. Is it
still usable? It is rock hard butand uneven from years of wear and does not
fit snug to the housing and the other side would also not fit snug to the car.
Someone suggested I used a 3 m product referred to a dumb dumb. Any
feedback on whether this is useable ...and how to make it serve its purpose.
13 Answers
Auto_Centric answered about a year ago
Treat it with mineral oil for a day or two until it becomes pliable. it will soften..or buy the reproduction of it.
Marvette answered about a year ago
Even if the mineral oil softens it up, there are chunks missing. Might that present a problem? And idea what the name of that part is? I have been unable to locate such online. Thanks for your suggestion.
tennisshoes answered about a year ago
It is the tail light housing seal, and I have used DUM DUM on these before, but it also dries and becomes brittle and starts falling away but works in the short run. I have been tempted to try some of that new flex seal liquid, make up a clay mold of what I'm trying to reseal. Don't know if that will work cause I haven't tried it yet but it is a thought.
Auto_Centric answered about a year ago
Just a start, I'm sure you can locate the correct thickness in foam or rubber type compound. http://www.steelerubber.com/restoration-parts A few layers of dynamat would be ideal too. I do lots of restoration.
Marvette answered about a year ago
I saw grommets at the Steele site but not sure they would work as 2 anchoring bolts have to go through the tail light housing seals. It is apparent I am a very green novice at this, but am struggling to get educated. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Marvette answered about a year ago
Is it correct to assume that the tail light housing seals for the Comet should be pliable?
Auto_Centric answered about a year ago
Yes, its correct those old age hardened seals wont seal! or dampen vibration to the taillights. There are many manufactures that offer almost every seal or rubber component you could ever require. Regards
Marvette answered about a year ago
If you think mineral oil would soften it for the long haul, I might try that, but will still have to, I guess, add something to fill in the areas that have broken off, etc. And, then adhere it to the housing with some sort of adhesive that will hold the seal when pliable. I am sure I am making a mountain out of a mole hill.
tennisshoes answered about a year ago
If your not going to take it off once it is in place use some Flex Seal, I have used it on a lot of old seals that were not going to ever be moved again for a long time and it works.
tennisshoes answered about a year ago
Not really, but it can fill in some of the missing pieces if applied a little at a time. If you use mineral oil to soften the seals you now have you won't be able to use anything else to make a seal due to the oils.
Marvette answered about a year ago
I guess I still don't understand. It doesn't sound like any remedy applied to the old seals will make them pliable again, meaning they will not be protecting as they were originally designed to do.
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