TheSamba.com :: View topic - 5.5" highbeam glass fell out ... now what?!

Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:16 pm

stopped at the UPS store today to drop off some holiday shipping ...
came back out to the van in a really windy/sunny winter day

got in the van and hear what sounded like a beer bottle falling ... outside the van

thought it was someone next to me ... or the wind ... or something ... but NEVER expected what it actually was:

the 5.5" high-beam glass on out 4-lens SA grill fell out! right then ... on the pavement ... it is not cracked or damage ... but it is also clearly NOT secure in the housing.

is there a preferred/typical/acceptable way for me to re-secure the bulb onto the body?

any and all help welcome

thanks!
geoff

Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:31 pm

Silicone not acceptable?

Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:47 pm

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8324263

Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:48 pm

Terry Kay recommended using Goop Silicone stating that it was heat resistant and had excellent bonding characteristics for metal and glass.

Wed Dec 19, 2018 3:09 pm

I repaired some holes in my lenses two decades plus back with some kind of goo (likely a clear polyurethane, but maybe silicone?) and it is still doing its job.

Wed Dec 19, 2018 4:07 pm

thanks everyone!
seeing the other 'SA broken headlight' thread ... I'll count my blessings that all I need to do is caulk some high grade exterior silicone

thanks everyone

really do appreciate it!

happy holidays
geoff

Wed Dec 19, 2018 7:38 pm

Shoe Goop and the variants in the steel roll tubes are a urethane based adhesive. i've used them to repair 'BB' holes in headlight glass and it does not seem to yellow despite years of UV exposure. remained tenacious and strong. most clear silicones will go milky but really there's no reason to NOT use a white on the headlight rim glass. it may have more UV resistance, which the glass somewhat filters anyway. either one is good but for an EXTERNAL crack or hole, i'd use a urethane.

Wed Dec 19, 2018 8:54 pm

Yes, polyurethane caulk is what you need.

Thu Dec 20, 2018 2:46 am

Manufacturers of Silicone have done a tremendous PR campaign making us think that Silicone is WONDERFUL STUFF!

In reality it isn't.

9 times out of 10 there are better products to use.

Silicone discolors, attracts dirt, and often fails in relatively short order.

Step away from the Silicone and use the better options available.

Dave

Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:01 am

thanks for the suggestions everyone!

i ended-up goop-ing the glass back in

i removed (with partial success) the original gray adhesive material.
i may have over-gooped ... but i'm pretty sure it is water/snow/rain/dust tight

thanks for all the suggestions

geoff

Thu Dec 20, 2018 5:30 pm

Better check the other one and pull it off as its undoubtedly not far behind based on others exact circumstances.

Fri Dec 21, 2018 5:59 am

i did indeed check the DS glass
seemed good ...
and will tweak it every now and then in the future to make sure it is not loose

cheers
geoff