Taillight Algae/Moisture Buildup - Full Teardown, Clean, and Reseal

Body/Interiorintermediate✓ OP Confirmed

Problem

MKIII Supra taillights develop algae, gunk, and moisture buildup inside the sealed housings over time, making them look dirty/cloudy and reducing light output and appearance.

Visible brown/green algae growth inside taillight housingsCloudy or dirty-looking taillights that cannot be cleaned from outsideWater/moisture trapped inside taillight housingsWater dripping from taillights after car washesReduced taillight brightness

Root Cause

The factory sealant on the taillight housings degrades over time, allowing moisture to enter the sealed housing. The trapped moisture promotes algae and gunk growth on the interior reflective surfaces, which cannot be cleaned without full disassembly.

Confidence

High confidence — Original poster confirmed this resolved the issue

View Original Thread →Posted February 2012 on SupraForums.com