Tip for cleaning headliner water stain

[ericd]

Hey Guys.
I just wanted to post this tip for cleaning the headliner after a water stain. I've been back to the dealer three times for the brake light/Rear glass leak. Each time they've been able to remove the water stain without replacing the headliner which I have been desperately trying to avoid since you have to remove the windshield. Finally on the 3rd time I was able to chat with the upholstery guy and ask him what they do. He said it's way easier than you think.

All they do is soak a rag with regular hydrogen peroxide and scrub the spot. It dried in no time and completely removed the stain.

Just wanted to put that out in case someone wanted to try this before replacing the headliner.

 

[My1stHemi]

@ 20,000miles mine just started leaking and staining. Thanks for the tip. I may try to fix the seal on my brake light rather than lose my truck for days while the dealer makes the repair. Good to know about the windshield removal as well.

 

[mikeru82]

That's a great tip, thanks for sharing!

 

[Gen3CoupeTX]

How timely ... And thanks for posting! My 2019 leaked for the first time yesterday while sitting outside in Tropical Storm Beta. It looks to be 3rd brake light, which I can fix myself. But any stain on the headliner would drive me bonkers. My wife says I should take it to the dealer since it's Warranty, but I don't need that back and forth right now. I'll try it myself first. Cheers, Mike M

 

[My1stHemi]

I removed my 3rd brake light last night and couldn't really tell where the water was entering. I see some dried water drops where they shouldn't be... What are people using to replace the gasket? This one seemed fine at first inspection.

 

[Dusty1948]

I removed my 3rd brake light last night and couldn't really tell where the water was entering. I see some dried water drops where they shouldn't be... What are people using to replace the gasket? This one seemed fine at first inspection.
View attachment 69441

If there are any droplets or signs of droplets anywhere on the inside of the lens, the gasket is leaking. This is usually confirmed by noticing headliner stains in the far corners only. Look closely. Sometimes you'll see droplets in the lamp towers. If in doubt, place a folded piece of paper towel directly under the opening in the roof for the lens. Reassemble the lamp assembly and retest for leaks.

It's possible that water is passing by the heads of the mounting screws. Newer builds have a black plastic washer under the head of each screw. The washers may not be sealing correctly. Also, look for a crack in the lens itself, usually found under or near the mounting screws.

It is possible the leak is caused by a poor seal at the shark antenna, but I've yet to see or hear of one.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 040322 miles.

 

[ericd]

I removed my 3rd brake light last night and couldn't really tell where the water was entering. I see some dried water drops where they shouldn't be... What are people using to replace the gasket? This one seemed fine at first inspection.
View attachment 69441

So what's happening is that light foam seal eventually gets saturated with water during a heavy storm and then it starts leaking. It's like a sponge and just absorbs water. So if you look at it partially dry it'll look fine. So if they replace the brake light you'll still have the same problem cause they're just putting back the same seal. After the 3rd time I just put a better seal on and it fixed it first try.

M-D Building Products 10 ft. Black Large Rubber Auto and Marine Weatherstrip Adhesive for All Climates 01033 - The Home Depot

MD Building Products - 19/32 in. x 17 ft. EPDM Cellular Rubber Auto and Marine Weather Strip - This weather strip is easy to install thanks to its high-strength adhesive, and helps to prevent drafts and

www.homedepot.com

This is what I got. Worked like a charm

 

[ericd]

@ 20,000miles mine just started leaking and staining. Thanks for the tip. I may try to fix the seal on my brake light rather than lose my truck for days while the dealer makes the repair. Good to know about the windshield removal as well.

M-D Building Products 10 ft. Black Large Rubber Auto and Marine Weatherstrip Adhesive for All Climates 01033 - The Home Depot

MD Building Products - 19/32 in. x 17 ft. EPDM Cellular Rubber Auto and Marine Weather Strip - This weather strip is easy to install thanks to its high-strength adhesive, and helps to prevent drafts and

www.homedepot.com

Here's what you'll need.

 

[Scram1500]

Why they use that crappy foam is a total mystery, how much money are they saving? Be careful when putting the brake light back on. I tightened the screws back to what I thought was OEM spec and they looked fine, for a day. Next day I checked my handy work to see cracks had formed around all 4 screws

 

[mikeru82]

I bought a replacement 3rd light, and the gasket is not foam. It's more of a soft rubber. Definitely not porous though. I'm planning to pull mine and compare the gaskets. I have a black headliner, so stains would be very difficult to see. I haven't found any signs of leaks, but I park in the garage. And I haven't driven this truck in any heavy rain since February. It's been a very dry summer here LOL.

 

[My1stHemi]

My truck is going in Wednesday for the driveline clunk and I asked that they repair this issue as well. My service rep was well aware of this issue and all the possible sources for the water to enter the cab. I agree that the original gasket material seems far too porous.

 

[Gen3CoupeTX]

Big thanks again to those who posted useful info on this thread. I've repaired mine now ... And will say this >

- The tip about hydrogen peroxide to remove the water stains on the headliner - Amazing! Voila, it's gone.
- The M-D product mentioned is spot on. Great quality, easy to use. The work is in stripping off OEM junk.
- While there, I also ran a bead of silicone around the brake / cargo light, plus did the shark fin just in case.

Bring on that next hurricane. Okay, skip that. I'll test with a water hose, brag to my wife and two kids. Done!

Cheers, Mike

 

[highgear2005]

Has anyone made their own gasket?


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[Jako]

Has anyone made their own gasket?


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Post #7 is what forum members have been replacing the OEM seal with. It is available at both Home Depot, Lowe's and I'm sure other places, although it may not be the same brand. Taking off the existing seal I found was a little tedious but not difficult.

 

[K1135]

is there a gasket material that is like a size of a sheet of paper but thick like the M-D material where you can trace the pattern an cut it? that would be great if someone found something like that.

 

[Neurobit]

Hey Guys.
I just wanted to post this tip for cleaning the headliner after a water stain. I've been back to the dealer three times for the brake light/Rear glass leak. Each time they've been able to remove the water stain without replacing the headliner which I have been desperately trying to avoid since you have to remove the windshield. Finally on the 3rd time I was able to chat with the upholstery guy and ask him what they do. He said it's way easier than you think.

All they do is soak a rag with regular hydrogen peroxide and scrub the spot. It dried in no time and completely removed the stain.

Just wanted to put that out in case someone wanted to try this before replacing the headliner.


View attachment 58247View attachment 58248

Great tips. Thanks for sharing!

 

[SD Rebel]

Great tip, will save for later in case I need it!

 

[pbclax1]

So what's happening is that light foam seal eventually gets saturated with water during a heavy storm and then it starts leaking. It's like a sponge and just absorbs water. So if you look at it partially dry it'll look fine. So if they replace the brake light you'll still have the same problem cause they're just putting back the same seal. After the 3rd time I just put a better seal on and it fixed it first try.

M-D Building Products 10 ft. Black Large Rubber Auto and Marine Weatherstrip Adhesive for All Climates 01033 - The Home Depot

MD Building Products - 19/32 in. x 17 ft. EPDM Cellular Rubber Auto and Marine Weather Strip - This weather strip is easy to install thanks to its high-strength adhesive, and helps to prevent drafts and

www.homedepot.com

This is what I got. Worked like a charm

when you guys reinstalled the third brake light was this stuff tougher to push down to seat the light? How tight did you do the screws? Just til they stopped turning and felt like they bottomed out?

 

[ericd]

when you guys reinstalled the third brake light was this stuff tougher to push down to seat the light? How tight did you do the screws? Just til they stopped turning and felt like they bottomed out?

it wasn't any tougher for me to seat the light cause it's about the same thickness. Make sure you remove the old seal first. And be very careful when tightening the screws. The light will crack very easy if you make them too tight. It's not gonna feel like a super tight fit when tightening the screws

 

[Gen3CoupeTX]

Previous post is correct. The M-D gasket that others recommended works like a charm ... Super easy to put on the light housing, one continuous run including going around the corners. It's easy to reinstall the housing, and I too stopped as the screws were tight enough. No need to crank down on them. Removing the old gasket is the only time-consuming part, but needs to be done correctly to make the repair effective. You all enjoy your day - And please stay safe out there.