I'm a vette tax evader too.

I've tried the commercial kits and wasn't satisfied with the fit. it made the tails even more difficult to take on and off. (i remove them alot because I have lots of crazy wiring back there.

 

mcgiles, I don't see how this will cure the dreaded tailight drip. It's the dirt and water that gets alongside, not behind, the lens that gives us problems.

I have tail light seals and the seals plug the gap between the side of the lens and bumper.

And for anyone doing this mod, take a tip - place the seal joint at the top of the lens. Mine are at the bottom and water always gets into where one end meets the other and then it eventually runs out.

 

I agree. I don't see how putting the seal behind the lens will accomplish anything. The lens is still going to trap water around the edge.
When I wash my car, I just stick a paper towel at the bottom of each lens while I am drying the rest of the car and let it wick up all the water around the lens.

 

I guess it's hard for me to understand all the conversation about dripping water, seals, etc.

When washing my C5 I finish up with using my trusty weed blower, blowing the mirrors, body side moulding as well as the tail lights and have never had any water whatsoever drip from these areas. Am I missing something?

 

I like the hood seal idea.

 

And hope the neighbor doesn't walk past the end of the drive eh?

 

Please don't flog me too bad, but I took off the lenses and drilled 1/8" holes in the taillight recess, right at the low spot where the water collects. The water drains right out and the holes are not visible with the lenses on. I know how some of you feel about drills and Vettes, but it works great!! Just my .02.

 

I had the same thought about the water still getting alongside the lens and running out later if you put the seal behind the lense. I did put my seal joint on the bottom so I didn't have to see the split. I haven't had the problem yet of water getting in the seam and showing up later. Maybe I have been lucky. Either way, this is an inexpensive mod and basically what you get when you buy a pre made kit.

 

A sensible mod! I like that. And from a fellow Firefigher too! A retired captain here.

 

WOW something for a vette at Lowe's.

 

 

Where does the water drain too? What's below the Tail Light cavity?

 

Only that some of us might not have leaf blowers and choose not to buy one just for this purpose. Aren't they even banned in some places?

http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/other.htm

 

Ain't that a beyotch! I went to 2 different Lowes and saw that same product. They only had white and gray, and when the store called them at that 800 number on the package, they stated that they didn't make any other color. Now you're telling me that they do! Damn.

 

Leaf blower is the way to go if you can. If i didnt have one I'd get one. It makes drying the car sooo much easier. get every drop out of every crevice that you would never be able to get with a towel or chamois cloth. No streaking or waterspots. And...if you have a bike there is absolutly no other way to dry it.

 

It's open behind the panel except for the styrofoam "bumper" pieces between the panel and the trunk wall. The water just drains down and out by the louvers behind the mufflers. You can see the back side of the tailight housings from below with a flashlight.

 

The drilling holes idea is actually pretty good. It's not metal so rust won't be a problem and you can't see the holes. Plus the water is not dripping on anything important. Good idea.

 

Jumped the band wagon and bought the Frost King weather strip product from Lowe's and got the gray one also. Not sure how other's do it though, but I had found out the applying the seals on the body of car ( IMHO ) is not very effective from what I saw after installing them. So I went back the second and time and tried it another way. Cut the seals to length and then apply the seals in between the crevice (not sure if I spelled it right). or in between the actual taillight lens and the rear taillight housing -as seen on picture #2. Anyway pic #1 and # 3 shows how they will look like. But a few tips
When applying the seals
1. Make sure you pull on the seals a little while applying them to the lenses -this makes them stretch a little bit and make them a little thinner -thus easier for them to install ( as the first poster mentioned -they will be tight when the lens are re-applied)
2. When re-installing the light with the seals attached - even though it is thinner after you pull on them while applying them on the lenses. You can use SILICONE LUBRICANT taht you can buy at any autoparts store or even Walmart - spray some on the body and the rubber-you'll find them easier to slide in.
Then re-install your light and there you have it. Instant taillight seals for $6 plus the price of the silicone lubricant.

 

I like your idea and the hole drilling idea because I got gigged for the exposed seals in a car show (stock class). So, I removed them.

There is always a better mouse trap!


..rickko..

 

Went to home depot looking for them, HD only has brown and white. I'll assume lowes does normal colors then.