Dropped $120 on that fancy laser level and it died after one wet job

Bought a 3-beam self-leveling laser from a known brand (not naming names) and it crapped out after a single day of light rain on a foundation pour in Raleigh. Has anyone else had luck with waterproofing their gear without voiding the warranty?

3 comments

3 Comments

baker.christopher12d ago

Wait, did that silicone grease hold up in actual rain or just drizzle?

the_robin12d ago

My Milwaukee green beam lasted two years in the rain before it finally gave up, so I feel your pain. @singh.harper hit on something with that ziplock bag trick, I actually tried it once with a cheap laser I didn't care about and it held up for three days straight on a parking lot pour in Charlotte. The trick is to use a 2-gallon freezer bag and cut a tiny slit for the laser lens, then tape it tight with gorilla tape, don't leave any gaps. For the battery door, I put a thin layer of plumber's grease on the rubber seal and it stopped the moisture from getting in, no warranty issues since it's not glued on. Just make sure you wipe the grease off after the job so it doesn't attract dust later.

singh.harper12d ago

Did you check if that brand actually has an IP rating on their laser specs? I just read a review from a site that tested a bunch of these things and the cheaper ones usually have no real waterproofing at all, just a thin rubber gasket. For your warranty, maybe try a silicone grease on the seams and battery door, but test it on a hidden spot first since some brands get real picky about "modifications". I had a friend who used a heavy duty ziplock bag with the lens cut out and taped down, and it worked fine for a full day of rain without voiding anything since it's not glued to the tool.