Headlight Sealant/Glue

[Haz87]

I've got a pair of Carellos (glass lens, metal reflector/unit) currently being resilvered.
When I get them back I'll obviously need to reattach the glass, but thus far I haven't really been able to find the "standard" being used by manufacturers; Most people instead just using silicone or bathroom caulk....

There wasn't really anything defining about what was holding it together. It was grey and over the years I've heated it up to split many times and it's always gone back together with ease (rock hard when cold).

Anyone have any suggestions. The last thing I want is to hit the brakes and see my lenses go flying off, cause they are very hard to get hold of.

Note: I know I could just use something like Tiger seal but I want them in a state where I can split them open in the future etc should I need to without having to destroy the units. Instead just using a quick blast of a heat gun to soften...

Cheers
Harry

 

[Wildefalcon]

Hot glue gun stuff? With a blob of tiger for luck

 

[qwakers]

Windscreen glue.

 

[Robotstar5]

I think it was a SIKA product used originally, I installed/programmed a robot to apply the stuff at Carello's Cannock factory in the 80's.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

The best I've used is Butyl cord/rope. But... I've never tried on older light units and it's a seal, not an adhesive. Are the lenses held in place by any other means?

 

[Porkypine]

I'd prob use a PU adhesive , Tiger Seal or Alpha type stuff

 

[Matchless]

Sika windscreen adhesive 221? or tiger seal, NOT hot glue, it melts when hot!

 

[winchman]

Call Sika they will advise

 

[MetalMonkey]

It is a butyl rubber sealant - I don't know about the correct stuff, but I've used Everbuild 145 - not tried to take them apart afterwards though so I can't comment on if it works as the OEM stuff.
PU sealant also works but that definitely isn't coming apart again.

 

[Greeves246]

Ducati engines use Threebond, available from dealers in black or grey, if it stands the heat and pressure on crankcases should stand headlight temps?

 

[Bobupndown]

I'd prob use a PU adhesive , Tiger Seal or Alpha type stuff

Sika windscreen adhesive 221? or tiger seal, NOT hot glue, it melts when hot!

Don't think these options would ever come apart again without damage

 

[Porkypine]

If you didn't go too mad with the Tiger seal type stuff it'd be seperate-able with a sharp stanley blade I'd think

 

[Haz87]

The best I've used is Butyl cord/rope. But... I've never tried on older light units and it's a seal, not an adhesive. Are the lenses held in place by any other means?

Nope, no clips or anything. Just "glued" to one another

 

[Haz87]

If you didn't go too mad with the Tiger seal type stuff it'd be seperate-able with a sharp stanley blade I'd think

There is a lip, albeit not that deep, with the glass going under this lip, so you'd never get a knife in. And although I know TS allows some flex, I don't think there would be enough to pry to get a cut in without either bending the unit or knackering the glass.

 

[badabec]

How likely is it that you going to need to remove the glass?