How to Properly Install + Seal Your Side Marker Lights

CanadiaegeanBlue

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Hey everyone, Side Markers are one of the most popular 10th Gen Civic modifications that anyone with any skill level can install, and I've done my fair share by installing over 150 myself, and selling over 1000 units so I've made this video to share with you all about sealing them so they're absolutely weatherproof!

All Side Markers generally seem to be sealed well around the edges, and for the most part if you've installed them as they're meant to be with no play in the socket then yours should be fine over time. Where people run into problem with their aftermarket side marker lights, or even factory side marker lights getting spoiled by condensation is when there is play in the socket meaning you're able to wiggle it easily, OR what I want to focus on is what I've discovered in the winter time...

Honda's OE Rubber Seal that is meant to act as the guard placed between the socket and the housing becomes solid and expands in cold weather, exposing gaps through which condensation / moisture enters the Side Marker Housing. If not taken care of soon then a combination of several things happen:

- Condensation / Moisture gathers on the lens, or worse case the housing fills up
- Your single bulb / LED panel stops working
- The socket gets spoiled because water and electrical charge don't mix, and you need to buy it new from Honda. Part's less than $10

What's the preventative measure? Simply check to make sure your socket doesn't wiggle freely on the housing even if you have factory side marker lights. Then there's two methods to create a more solid seal, both being highly effective when done right.

1) Use PTFE tape, and wrap it around the socket
2) A more permanent method is using marine sealant or household caulking, and applying a layer of it around the seal and letting dry.

Here's my video, and it's kind of long for the purpose but I really wanted to share everything A to Z.
0:01 - 2:39 | Initial partially submerged seal test to check the edges where the backing plate meets the lens
2:40 - 5:39 | Special instructions on plugging in Unity Performance Side Marker Lights
5:40 - 8:22 | Sealing the socket with PTFE Tape
8:23 - 12:02 | Fully submerged test to show the effectiveness of a correctly sealed side marker with PTFE tape as added protection
12:03 - 15:34 | Ripping out the Unity Performance Side Marker + and - terminal wire on purpose to show how strong the connection is



What I didn't cover in the video is applying caulking, and that's on purpose because I wasn't going to let it dry especially since the particular housing was broken for the test so it wouldn't make sense - plus I trust the PTFE tape to be plenty sufficient. The exact side marker in the video was on my Si for over 3 months without any aids, and it performed as advertised because as I mentioned how installing it without wiggle in the first place should in most cases keep yours dry.

Hope you find value in this, feel free to ask any questions :)
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CanadiaegeanBlue

CanadiaegeanBlue

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Here's another video I created some time ago, sharing how to let your side markers dry out if you detect condensation early on, and they're still in working order:

 
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CanadiaegeanBlue

CanadiaegeanBlue

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This would be the appropriate place to share as well. Full install video on the car :)

 

mis3

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Great information.

I have had bad luck with aftermarket side markers with my previous car (MB CLK350). I bought the DEPO clear side markers and soon after the installation, I saw condensations inside the lens. I tried to remove the side markers but the back plate broke off from the front cover. I used a hair dryer to remove the condensations and used Krazy Glue to put it back together. However, the inside housing (silver) of the lens would dull because of the condensations,

The seller sent me another set and before installation, I applied caulking on the back plate and front cover. After 2-3 weeks, I saw condensations again. I knew better this time so I Just left the lens with the condensations. After a few weeks and after a heavy rain, the lens were filled with water. I had no choice but to revert them back to stock MB side markers.

Reading your post, maybe my installation was incorrect. I should have removed the wheel wall to push the side markers from the inside.
 
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PEPSIFLAME

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I just popped mine on, no problems with sealing and it's poured on and off since I installed mine.Picked up iJDMTOY ones off Amazon. It was kinda hard to get the bulbs in, due to the rubber grommet. That thing is sealed tight.
 


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Looking forward to my sidemarkers from you/Unity. I think I'm pretty early in the list. :D

I'll do the plumbers tape method before install, just as a preventative measure.
 
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CanadiaegeanBlue

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Great information.

I have had bad luck with aftermarket side markers with my previous car (MB CLK350). I bought the DEPO clear side markers and soon after the installation, I saw condensations inside the lens. I tried to remove the side markers but the back plate broke off from the front cover. I used a hair dryer to remove the condensations and used Krazy Glue to put it back together. However, the inside housing (silver) of the lens would dull because of the condensations,

The seller sent me another set and before installation, I applied caulking on the back plate and front cover. After 2-3 weeks, I saw condensations again. I knew better this time so I Just left the lens with the condensations. After a few weeks and after a heavy rain, the lens were filled with water. I had no choice but to revert them back to stock MB side markers.

Reading your post, maybe my installation was incorrect. I should have removed the wheel wall to push the side markers from the inside.
With any Side Marker Lights, if you get any condensation inside it's best to leave them out to dry which can be anywhere from a few hours, or 1-2 days.

I advise doing this versus using a heat gun or hair dryer because when you try to accelerate the process you may actually end up heating the lens or backing plate to a point where the glued connection between the two won't be as strong. You can also damage it if it has an integrated circuit board like mine do. This is different from your car being out on a hot sunny day because the heat source is not as close or concentrated - think holding a heat gun to your skin vs. Being out on a very hot, sunny day - the heat gun will still be hotter.

I shared this so people can as a precaution add some extra seal the first time and not have to worry if all else is well with the installation. I don't speak for other brands, but I occasionally pick ones from my batches and submerge them to ensure the seal between the backing plate and lens is all good, and haven't had a single instance where any water seeped in :)
 
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CanadiaegeanBlue

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I just popped mine on, no problems with sealing and it's poured on and off since I installed mine.Picked up iJDMTOY ones off Amazon. It was kinda hard to get the bulbs in, due to the rubber grommet. That thing is sealed tight.
Many a times that is the case, but for some the rubber seal isn't as effective. For reference the side marker used in the video was on my car minutes prior to the video, and had been on for a few months. It's been exposed to torrential downpour, snow storms, and 2x car washes weekly, without needing the PTFE Tape, or caulking but it doesn't hurt to add either or both.
 
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CanadiaegeanBlue

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Looking forward to my sidemarkers from you/Unity. I think I'm pretty early in the list. :D

I'll do the plumbers tape method before install, just as a preventative measure.
Thank You for your support! The batch has barrived at port; should be two weeks or under till I have them in my hands, and then the madness to ship nearly 300 pre-orders at the moment starts right away!
 

PEPSIFLAME

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Thank You for your support! The batch has barrived at port; should be two weeks or under till I have them in my hands, and then the madness to ship nearly 300 pre-orders at the moment starts right away!
I would have went Unity since they look amazing. However, I was impatient and wanted my sidemarkers same day. :/ May pick up a set of Unity so I can swap them out whenever I feel like changing the look.
 


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CanadiaegeanBlue

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I would have went Unity since they look amazing. However, I was impatient and wanted my sidemarkers same day. :/ May pick up a set of Unity so I can swap them out whenever I feel like changing the look.
Totally understandable, and definitely trying to cut down the wait time! But with nearly 300 pre-orders, more than half of my new batch has already been spoken for as people realize that waiting when in stock lands you at the end of my run, with possibility that the version requested has been sold out.

Speaking of swapping Side Markers, I swap mine out occasionally. Clear with Amber LED on the Driver's side currently, Smoked with White side on the Passenger side - started off just as a showcase, but now it's kind of a signature of mine :)

Honda Civic 10th gen How to Properly Install + Seal Your Side Marker Lights IMG_20200208_174607


Honda Civic 10th gen How to Properly Install + Seal Your Side Marker Lights IMG_20200208_174443
 

NazTehRpR

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Got the JDM side markers currently. But man, I can’t wait to get the Smoked White-LED ones I preordered. Gonna be the fastest swap ever. :)
 

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Totally understandable, and definitely trying to cut down the wait time! But with nearly 300 pre-orders, more than half of my new batch has already been spoken for as people realize that waiting when in stock lands you at the end of my run, with possibility that the version requested has been sold out.

Speaking of swapping Side Markers, I swap mine out occasionally. Clear with Amber LED on the Driver's side currently, Smoked with White side on the Passenger side - started off just as a showcase, but now it's kind of a signature of mine :)

IMG_20200208_174607.jpg


IMG_20200208_174443.jpg

I completely get the reason for the wait. I was just being impatient. I bought my car Oct 12 and was t-boned Oct 15. Didn't get my ride back til Christmas Eve and was ready to swap them. Planned on doing it the following weekend, if not for the accident.


Man, both look really nice! I was also thinking of doing 2 different ones on the sides. Didn't know if it'd be goofy, but I like it.
 
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CanadiaegeanBlue

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Got the JDM side markers currently. But man, I can’t wait to get the Smoked White-LED ones I preordered. Gonna be the fastest swap ever. :)
Thank You Mike! They'll be well worth the wait, and you're equipped with all the info above to make sure they go in perfect :)

I completely get the reason for the wait. I was just being impatient. I bought my car Oct 12 and was t-boned Oct 15. Didn't get my ride back til Christmas Eve and was ready to swap them. Planned on doing it the following weekend, if not for the accident.


Man, both look really nice! I was also thinking of doing 2 different ones on the sides. Didn't know if it'd be goofy, but I like it.
I thought so too, but then in practice it's so unique! The two can never be seen / photographed at the same time which is good otherwise in pics it would look weird. Someone on Reddit actually recognized me because they knew no one else would have Aegean Si with mismatched Side Markers :D
 

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Got the shipping confirmation for my smoke/white LED sidemarkers from Unity this morning. Looking forward to them! :headbang:
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