Sealant for car headlights is used in the assembly after repairing the headlight unit. It acts as an adhesive and sealant, which provides protection against moisture, dust and corrosion of its metal parts.
Headlight glass sealants come in four main types: silicone, polyurethane, anaerobic and heat-resistant. Each of them has its own characteristics, as well as specific application.
Among domestic car enthusiasts, there are a number of the most popular products for repairing and/or sealing headlight glasses, which can be purchased at most car dealerships. The rating of the best sealants for car headlights will help you decide on the choice of a good product, and most importantly, apply it correctly.
| Sealant for gluing headlights | a brief description of | Package volume, ml/mg | Price as of summer 2022, Russian rubles |
| Abro WS-904R | The sealant tape is very easy to use, polymerizes well, has no odor and does not stain your hands. Hardens quickly. It is a butyl sealant for headlights. | 4.5 meters | 700 |
| Orgavyl | Bitumen sealant tape in black. It has high strength and good polymerization. | 4.5 meters | 900 |
| Dow Corning 7091 | Universal silicone sealant. Available in white, gray and black. Convenient packaging and high degree of sealing of the headlight. Stretches well. | 310 | 1000 |
| Done Deal DD6870 | A universal transparent silicone-type adhesive-sealant that can be used for different materials. It glues and seals the headlight well. | 82 | 450 |
| Permatex Flowable Silicone | Silicone sealant for headlights with operating temperature from -62ºС to +232ºС. It is characterized by good efficiency and ease of application. Resistant to harmful external factors. | 42 | 280 |
| 3M PU 590 | Polyurethane sealant for gluing glass. Can be used with different materials. Resistant to aggressive environments. | 310; 600. | 750; 1000. |
| Emphymastics RV | One-component polyurethane adhesive-sealant of high elasticity. Can be used for gluing windshields and headlight lenses. Low temperature range. | 310 | 380 |
| KOITO Hot Melt professional (gray) | Professional heat-resistant sealant for installation and repair of headlights. Used by such automakers as Toyota, Lexus, Mitsubishi. Can be reused after heating. | bracket 500 grams | 1100 |
If you place the headlight glass on a bad sealant or violate the technology of use, then you will face a number of unpleasant moments, from fogging to the appearance of corrosion on the reflector of the lamp contacts or deterioration in the throughput of the light beam.
Silicone sealants for headlight glasses
The most popular and in demand headlight sealants are silicone. Silicone is a material made from inorganic molecules that are formed by the combination of oxygen and silicon.
Practical and versatile, it is a suitable tool for both small automotive work and at a professional level in many sectors such as construction, industry and cosmetics.
The main advantages of silicone sealants:
- Practicality of application, which allows it to be used by both specialized personnel and private and less experienced clients;
- Ability to withstand humidity, weathering and UV rays;
- Immutability: Silicone does not change its state when in contact with external agents.
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.
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.
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:
- The remnants of the old composition, if present, are sure to hit. This is done mechanically using a degreaser or other product.
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
Range of silicone sealants
The modern garage chemicals market is constantly increasing the diversity and innovation of its offer. Many sealing, maintenance or cleaning products no longer require special surface preparation before use.
Following vehicle manufacturers' procedures is key to properly performing any headlight sealing procedure, regardless of vehicle make.
To ensure that silicone performs at its best in every application, you need to choose the best one based on how you use it. There are different types of silicone on the market, but currently there are three main types:
- Universal acetic silicone;
- Universal acrylic silicone;
- Universal neutral silicone.
The most commonly used silicone for auto jobs is an all-purpose acetic silicone, ideal for sealing glass, aluminum, and painted metal surfaces. You can choose it in clear, white or black.
If you need to seal or bond a porous material, we recommend choosing a multi-purpose acrylic silicone that is specifically formulated for use on building materials, drywall, floors and decks. But it is not suitable for auto work, no matter what the salesman in the auto store says.
A versatile neutral silicone designed for sealing and bonding more delicate surfaces such as headlights, polycarbonate, windows and mirrors. There are different colors available in the market depending on your needs. There is a certain chemical that can be added to this silicone that will protect it from mold.
- The modern hybrid base provides good adhesion to the surface of the glass being bonded and is also characterized by exceptionally high resistance to weather conditions, including UV.
- Neutral silicone hardens when exposed to moisture, providing reliable protection against penetration of external factors. Its application can take place not only for headlights, but also in small windows, for example, in a camper or bus, where the sealing will be carried out over a small area and does not require greater rigidity and strength of the connection.
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.
Polyurethane sealants for headlights
Another type of product used to seal headlights is polyurethane adhesive, a sealant designed to bond primarily to truck headlights.
It is used for both primary assembly and OEM repairs. However, its very good resistance to external conditions makes it particularly useful when creating external seams.
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.
Using auto sealants (instructions)
Caulks can be used to seal weather strips around windows and headlights, and cracks in metal frames can be repaired with a special metal adhesive. This is all thanks to the processes of adhesion and adhesion.
The easiest repair you can make is to fix the headlight in its proper place. First make sure both contact surfaces are clean, then apply sealant to one surface.
Hold the surface for a few seconds until it settles. Press the headlight firmly into place to completely fill any gaps.
- You can buy sealant not only for fixing headlights, but also for attaching metal to glass or glass to glass.
- More and more cars are equipped with mirrors glued to the windshield.
- It all depends on the manufacturer and on what kind of loads he uses for his sealant.
Therefore, carefully read the detailed instructions for headlight sealants on the manufacturers’ websites.
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.
Photos of the best sealants for car headlight glasses
What is needed for repairs
A standard set of tools and supplies for repairing cracks in car headlights usually consists of:
- technical napkins;
- sandpaper;
- microfiber;
- polishing liquid;
- masking tape;
- polishing sponge;
- sprayer;
- water;
- alcohol;
- urethane varnish;
- white spirit.
On average, recovery requires several hours of your time. If you have experience in restoration, you can use a grinding machine and abrasive wheels.
