This is not a new thread asking what to do about fogged tail lamps! Not at all. Already searched and read up on this via threads and the TSB PDF file.

I have a different question I could not find after searching. I already ordered my two tail light gaskets, but is there an effective way to clean out the tail light housing so as to prevent/eliminate any of the water spots I hear so much about? Any chemical or a method anyone knows of? The flow chart on the TSB says to replace tail light if there is spotting, I'm not really trying to do that if I can avoid it. I am doing this project on my own and any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: THIS POST IS ABOUT THE DRIED UP WATER SPOTS/RESIDUE AFTER NEW GASKETS ARE INSTALLED. I DONT NEED HELP DRAINING/DRYING!!

 

personally, i drilled 2 holes on the bottom....never fogged again

 

Very tempted to do the drilling method. Can you take a picture of where you drilled?

Thanks,

Aaron

 

lol his car is long gone, hes only on here cause his Miata forums are boring....

 

he's really a rotorhead at heart. ... i hope...

 

just drill 2 TINY holes on the bottom...or in the back somewhere

 

i drilled one before and after the circle reflector on the inside part of the light....you will understand when you look at the corners on the body side of the light housing

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

+ 1 for the hole!! i put a tiny one near the bottom and it never happened again

 

need 2 holes for the air to vent....think of it like when you open a can and try to pour....one hole and you get disturbance and bubbles....sure it will come out but at what pace....2 holes and you have more vaccuum

 

should really just get a new gasket

 

doesnt always work......dont forget i changed 5 sets before i drilled mine

 

then it was not the gasket. your taillights just hated you haha

 

ok ok... but none of you even came close to answering my question. I want to know how to get rid of the dried-up water spots in my tail light AFTER i replace the gaskets (already ordered new gaskets).

I guess questions about fogged tail lights come up so much that you guys immediately assumed it was the same old question.

AND THERE IS NO WAY I AM DRILLING ANY HOLES IN MY LIGHTS, PERIOD. good for you if this worked on your car, not gonna happen on mine. It was a risk worth taking when i had a 91 CRX with water in the tail light (drilling method worked, actually), but then again it was a CRX.

 

The holes work great to get existing water out, just 2 tiny ones where they cant be seen.
*DO NOT USE ALCOHOL TO TRY TO CLEAN OUT WATER SPOTS, It shattered my taillights. Try pouring windex inside and swirling it around then letting it dry.

 

I drilled a 1/16 hole at the bottom inside corners of both lights. Where the bottom corner meets the trunk lid is the lowest point of the assembly, under the edge is where I put my holes.

 

Sorry got caught up in the rest of the mess, sloshed around some fresh water in the lamp assy then blew dry with hair dryer and let water drain from the holes in the bottom.
Hope that helped.

 

distilled water and/or vinegar should work as well....

 

Excellent advice i was actually thinking of using rubbing alcohol. I might try the windex idea that sounds good. Really just waiting for the gaskets to get here. Shipped from VA so I hope they are here by monday.