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Old 06-02-2017, 01:44 PM   #1
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Sealing Reverse Lights to Prevent Moisture Entry

We have a 2017 2861DS Forester. Both reverse lights allow moisture / water to enter behind the lens when it rains or when we wash the unit. The red tail lights are fine.

Can anyone provide advice, tips, hints or tricks regarding:

1) How to remove the plastic lens. I'm a bit nervous to just try prying them off if there is an easier / better way to do this.

2) Any recommendations on what to use to seal the lens so they can be removed again, if necessary?

Pictures of our lights are below.

Thank you!
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Old 06-02-2017, 04:11 PM   #2
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Just take the screws out on the backup lens and remove it. Let the fixture dry out and run a bead of sealant where it seats and put the lens back in. I did this almost two years ago and no problem with moisture since.

Looking at your picture, your lights are different than my 2016 so it may be different. Sorry.
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Old 06-02-2017, 04:28 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GL1800Rider View Post
Just take the screws out on the backup lens and remove it. Let the fixture dry out and run a bead of sealant where it seats and put the lens back in. I did this almost two years ago and no problem with moisture since.

Looking at your picture, your lights are different than my 2016 so it may be different. Sorry.

Thanks for your input.

Ours does not have any screws holding the lens covers on so I'm thinking the lens covers must pop off somehow. I just don't want to crack them. I think whatever type seal I use has to be the kind that allows me to remove the lens in the future in case I have to replace the LED bulbs.
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Old 06-04-2017, 04:51 PM   #4
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On my 2017 2861 I also had some water behind the tail light lens, not much and only when we had heavy and prolonged rain.

The lens cover is easily removed, I used a mini pry bar as in the pictures. It snaps back on easily as well. I drilled a hole in the lower part of the base for water to drain, it is 1/8 inch diameter that you can see in last picture, so far I haven't noticed any water so it must be working.

I suppose you could seal the top of the lens with some silicone caulk, the silicone doesn't stick really well so it could be removed if necessary, but so far the drain is what I am doing.
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Old 06-04-2017, 05:19 PM   #5
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fobagbob, thank you for your reply. I'll give this a try.
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Old 06-04-2017, 05:47 PM   #6
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I used some Loctite 2 in 1 seal and bond around my lights. Seems to work great. I know most people want something blessed for RV use but this stuff comes in a small tube and dries crystal clear and is easy to use. I tried the RV Pro Flex and that stuff was too difficult for me to make clean looking job and was just nasty to work with.
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Old 06-04-2017, 06:43 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by ronj82 View Post
I used some Loctite 2 in 1 seal and bond around my lights. Seems to work great. I know most people want something blessed for RV use but this stuff comes in a small tube and dries crystal clear and is easy to use. I tried the RV Pro Flex and that stuff was too difficult for me to make clean looking job and was just nasty to work with.
ronj82, thank you for your reply.

Did you remove your lenses and use the sealant on the inside of the lens or did you go around the outside of them with the Loctite 2 in 1? Can you still remove the lenses if you need to change the bulbs?
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Old 06-04-2017, 07:49 PM   #8
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I just went around the outside. It's used like a caulk. It should peel off/remove just fine. Use a plastic scraper and some automotive Goo Gone for any residue when you need to remove it.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:07 PM   #9
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Also dont be alarmed the clear Loctite 2 in 1 is white until it dries crystal clear.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:21 PM   #10
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Thank you ronj82.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:24 PM   #11
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You are welcome!
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Old 06-17-2017, 02:37 PM   #12
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Update

So I sealed around the rear lights and did the side clearance lights also. It did rain earlier this week while we were camping and no moisture showed up in the reverse light lenses. We weren't driving in the rain so that will be the ultimate test, but so far, so good!

Thank you for everyone's responses.
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