General question..are taillights suppose to be flush with trunk

[s13pignose]

I know sounds like a random question, but here goes. On my s14 out of now where i've been gettin water in my trunk. Finally tracked it down to be around the part of the taillight the that slides in the trunk hole. The part where you install the bulbs. So I took a hot glue gun for timp fix and went all around it until I didn't have water around it any more seeping into the trunk.
Then I notice where two panels over lap inside the trunk (actual metal), water was seeping it out there cause it not longer could get in around the tails, making it build up I guess. So I out a bead along the seam where they overlap. Thinking I'm still getting a few drops, since i washed my car today. Drastic improvement from the puddles before, but not satisfactory. I used to have kouki led taillights, and during install I took some of that black goop stuff from factory off. Well I had to put stocks in after a rear end collision cause impact made the led ones come apart. Now I can't remember if the stock tails sat flush against the trunk or not before the led ones. Cause that gap is where the water mainly runs down. I still have the gaskets around em, but doing no good. I pushed the tails in as far as they would go before putting the nuts on the back..and tighten snug:loco:

Appreciate any help or input

[S14DB]

pull them off and buy some more black goop rope from the dealership and reinstall. They should be flush or sightly ressed with the body line.

[Tom25666]

i put a bead of silicone all the way around the tails on the inside, and across the top on the outside. no leak. my housings stick out just a bit relative to the body

[s13pignose]

That's the way mine seem, yet the gaskets are still sandwiched between the two. From what I can see.. need to get a flash light for better look another day. Does seem like in certain areas the gasket wasn't sitting up against the trunk like it got out of shape. Might try and order gaskets too while at it.
Now about those panels..I don't think that spot leaked before until water started getting behind the taillight, so maybe that's why I never seen it happen til now. I'm hoping the with the light out I see the same panels form the outside and see if there a gap there I can seal up.

Thanks for the response