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The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-05 6:54 PM (#530543)
Subject: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets



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Location: Lower Mainland BC
For my conversion of the 56 Custom Royal back-up lighst to additional taillights project, I discovered that the "gasket" between the plastic taillight and the metal Custom Royal taillight/back-up light housing is felt. And it seems to have shrunk (after I washed it gently and let it air dry). I went to a local Foam shop to buy some neoprene rubber to make new gaskets (for the taillights and the park lights at the front). They didn't have any neoprene but they had some closed cell "EVA" foam. I bought a trial piece 1/8" thick, 6" x 23" from their open roll to try out. Here is some info about EVA:

EVA foam is closed cell foam made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate and blended copolymers. It has a high level of chemical cross linking. The result is semi-rigid product with a fine uniform cell structure that is suitable for use in a wide variety of situations and applications. Benefits of EVA Foam include;

* Impact and vibration absorption
* Weather and chemical resistance including splash resistance to oils and fuels
* Acoustic and thermal insulation properties
* Buoyancy with low water absorption
* Suitability for thermo-forming and thermo-moulding

It looks like this:

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b5rt
Posted 2017-01-05 7:38 PM (#530549 - in reply to #530543)
Subject: Re: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets



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Hobby Lobby sells small sheets roughly 12" x 18" for $2. Different colors and 2 different thicknesses.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-07 8:54 PM (#530746 - in reply to #530543)
Subject: RE: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets



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Location: Lower Mainland BC
Made my first 56 Custom Royal tail light and front park light lens gaskets today. Still need to refine the cutting technique but it worked quite well (IMO). I'll post some photos, hints, etc. tomorrow.

Dave F.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-08 4:53 PM (#530835 - in reply to #530746)
Subject: RE: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets



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Location: Lower Mainland BC
56D500boy - 2017-01-07 8:54 PM Made my first 56 Custom Royal tail light and front park light lens gaskets today. Still need to refine the cutting technique but it worked quite well (IMO). I'll post some photos, hints, etc. tomorrow. Dave F.


See below. I used a combination of measuring and a cheap compass to scribe diameters, cardboard templates and tracing around the outside of the lens to get the size and shape. I initially tried cutting the foam with scissors but found that an X-acto knife worked best. Pushing down on the foam close by where you are cutting and then pulling the blade seemed to work best. I went outside the scribed/traced mark (pen/pencil) on the outside diameter and on the inside of the marks for the inner circle. I think the next set will be better ("Practise makes....well better anyway".

Holes for the screws in the park light gasket will be punched with either a paper or leather punch (if/when I find it in my shop).

Edited by 56D500boy 2017-01-08 6:36 PM




(TailightAndParkLightGaskets_Annotated_small.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments TailightAndParkLightGaskets_Annotated_small.jpg (204KB - 224 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-09 8:05 PM (#530958 - in reply to #530835)
Subject: RE: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets



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Location: Lower Mainland BC
Ha. Tricked myself. I thought that the original park light gasket had a chunk that had fallen out so I cut the new one with a continuous edge. Punched the holes and installed it this afternoon (passenger side). Decided to carry on with the drivers side.

As I took off the driver's side park lens I noticed that the original rubber gasket also has a gap at the bottom and more importantly that there is a drain hole at the location of the gasket gap. Okay, somebody thought that one through.

The next iteration of the gasket will also have have that gap. (And I will trim the passenger side gasket at some point). (Probably doesn't matter much - I don't intend to drive this car on rainy days anyway - but it might get pressure washed).

BTW: I installed 1157A (two pin-Amber) bulbs in these park/front signal light locations instead of the original clear 1035 bulbs. I presume that is fine and dandy. (?)

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FINS!
Posted 2017-01-24 12:39 PM (#532202 - in reply to #530543)
Subject: RE: The use of EVA closed-cell foam to make tail light and parklight gaskets


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It looks good, the drain thing is interesting I wouldn't have thought that.
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