datsunfreak Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 I was originally turned on to this idea from a friend who needed to make some gaskets for his tail lights that were unobtainable new, and having recently acquired some tail lights from Japan and having the same problem, I thought I'd give it a go... Tools needed: 6mm thick yoga mat, preferably dark gray or black (got this one for $5) Razor knife Good scissors Pointy tip magic marker Hole punch I then used the scissors to make an oversized rough cut. At this size I can get roughly ten gaskets from this one mat (more if I made smaller rough cuts), so that's $1 a pair, if you don't screw up. Of course with this much material, you can screw up a lot... :rofl: I then used my Sharpie to outline the gasket onto the mat, cut that to size, then marked the holes and used the hole punch to cut the screw holes... I then used the Sharpie to trace the inner perimeter and cut it out too... My lights only came with one gasket, but Nissan often used the same gasket for both sides, just flipped over. Notice one side says L... And one side says R... Just make sure you use one side to make one gasket and then flip it over for the other side... :thumbup: Thickness comparison... Notice it's a little thicker, but obviously the stock gasket has been compressed for 40+ years, so,,, ^_^ All in this took about 10 minutes to do, and cost $1 to make, so I think it's a pretty cost effective solution to hard to find gaskets. Obviously if you don't have a donor gasket for a template, it could take a lot longer. The density of the foam rubber is very close to the stock gasket and should seal well. I will give it a good water spray once I install them to confirm, but the friend who recommended this said he's done it three times now with zero leakage. As you will see when you shop for a yoga mat, there are a lot of different thicknesses available. I saw them from 6mm up to 12mm thick. The real issue was finding a dark color. Or go full Ratsun and get one in hot pink... :rofl: 8 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 That's the way to do it, very Ratsun. You need something, you make it. There's an old saying 'necessity being the mother of invention.' 2 Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Great work and write up. If you know anyone with a large format scanner, you might be able to scan the gasket or the face of the tail light assy. Might be close enough to print out for a template. 1 Quote Link to comment
KELMO Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Don't know if I should go to the store or just send you 2 dollars. :thumbup: Helluva an idea. 2 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Put them on today. They fit great, and seal great. :thumbup: 1 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 I've been working on laser cutting these. Yoga mat is a good idea. Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 I've been working on laser cutting these. Yoga mat is a good idea. I was actually thinking about a more old school low tech approach and having a steel rule die made? With that you could punch out hundreds in short order... 1 Quote Link to comment
Tedman Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 I really like that yoga mat solution! Another tail light seal hack (for a PL510)- 1991 4.3L Chevy S10 P/U molded rubber valve cover gaskets FEL-PRO VS50277R Some minor trimming, and hole punching required. Tail light assemblies that came with Zeke had these blue rubber gaskets that were obviously adapted from some other application. I had no idea where they came from until yesterday when I found the receipt in Randy's files and put 2 and 2 together... Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.