Lexan windshields?

[Greg]

Is there anyone local that has the hook-up on Lexan? (Mcnees??)

In my ever-changing truck build-up plans, I've been thinking about keeping the Cab & running an internal cage & lexan windshield. It's just a thought, but I'm wondering how affordable Lexan is...

 

[Hickey]

Is there anyone local that has the hook-up on Lexan? (Mcnees??)

In my ever-changing truck build-up plans, I've been thinking about keeping the Cab & running an internal cage & lexan windshield. It's just a thought, but I'm wondering how affordable Lexan is...

Brent would probably know, if he sees this. Are you thinking a full winshield or just the lower half? I will be doing just a lower half windshiled on mine.

 

[Greg]

Brent would probably know, if he sees this. Are you thinking a full winshield or just the lower half? I will be doing just a lower half windshiled on mine.

Full windshield, in place of the glass one. It would have to be an exact pattern of the factory one, so it fits in the windshield frame.

 

[Hickey]

Full windshield, in place of the glass one. It would have to be an exact pattern of the factory one, so it fits in the windshield frame.

unless someone out there already produces one for a racing venue, it is going to be very expensive. If you get one, never use your wipers.

 

[Greg]

unless someone out there already produces one for a racing venue, it is going to be very expensive. If you get one, never use your wipers.

Yeah, Rockstomper used to sell them for Toyotas ($300!), but apparently there wasn't enough profit in them to justify the cost. I was hoping someone had 'blank' peices that could be cut to fit. I'll keep looking.... mabey I won't keep the Cab.

 

[Hickey]

Yeah, Rockstomper used to sell them for Toyotas ($300!), but apparently there wasn't enough profit in them to justify the cost. I was hoping someone had 'blank' peices that could be cut to fit. I'll keep looking.... mabey I won't keep the Cab.

That's kinda what I thought. Cutting to fit could be a pain. Is your windshield still in there? If so, make a pattern of it before it is taken out. Just lay a piece of paper or cardboard over it, and trace.

 

[Greg]

That's kinda what I thought. Cutting to fit could be a pain. Is your windshield still in there? If so, make a pattern of it before it is taken out. Just lay a piece of paper or cardboard over it, and trace.

Yeah, I'm not sure what it takes to cut Lexan. I do still have the windshield in, I figured I'd pull it, trace it and make a cardboard (or something) pattern.

 

[Hickey]

Yeah, I'm not sure what it takes to cut Lexan. I do still have the windshield in, I figured I'd pull it, trace it and make a cardboard (or something) pattern.

your best bet will be with a skill saw and a good blade for plastic. You will probably want to glue it or clamp it in place, so you might need to make the pattern a little bit larger. You also might think about making it a two peice windshield, with a division bar in the center from top to bottom. That would help add rigidity to the plastic. Without a d-bar in the middle, it may bow in while you are driving. As for where to buy it, Commercial plastic or Laird plastic would be your best bet. Don't mess with anything less than 1/4 inch thick.

 

[James K]

what about speedglass?

I believe summit sales it.

 

[Greg]

what about speedglass?

I believe summit sales it.

I was wondering about that, I'll have to look into it. Good idea!

 

[bobdog]

Make what you have run, and then run it until you bash in your windshild and then worry about it.

Regular lexan should be cheep but will scratch easily. Speedglass is expensive and is scratch resistant. Do I understand you that you want to run a flat piece atached to the cage or are you looking for a replacement for the toy windshild?

 

[Greg]

I just found the coolest thing at Home Depot...

Sheets of clear plastic! It's not very thick, about 1/2 the thickness of a windsheild, but I think it'll work! A 4'x3' piece was about $30. I think some huge sheetmetal screws would hold it in place. I'm gonna try this route once I pull the glass windshield. We'll see how long it holds up to multiple flops, perhaps a roll or 2.

Anybody with a Toyota need a windshield?

 

[Greg]

what about speedglass?

I believe summit sales it.

Looks like around $180-200 depending on the needed size. I'd need one larger than 26" x 58", so the $180 for a 'Yota.

Not too bad, actually.

SpeedGlass @ Summit

 

[Hickey]

Looks like around $180-200 depending on the needed size. I'd need one larger than 26" x 58", so the $180 for a 'Yota.

Not too bad, actually.

SpeedGlass @ Summit

did you price any Lexan from a plastic supply place?

 

[Greg]

did you price any Lexan from a plastic supply place?

I haven't, but I'm sure you couldn't beat the Speedglass for price & durability.

I think I'm going to try the Home Depot plastic first. If it breaks, then I'll pony up for the Speedglass.

 

[Hickey]

I haven't, but I'm sure you couldn't beat the Speedglass for price & durability.

QUOTE]I disagree. I can't imagine a 4x8 sheet of Lexan costing more than 100 bucks. I am not sure of the composition of either Lexan or Speedglass, but if you end up replacing it 2-3 times per year, the Lexan would be more convenient.
Now, if you could find some "Crystaplex" that would be nice. It is what they use for the glass at the hockey rink in the E center. It is VERY hard stuff(doesn't scratch) but it is way $$$

 

[Greg]

I don't know which one is cheaper, but I'll findout...

Here's some info about Speedglass-

WHY CHOOSE SPEEDGLASS OVER LEXAN?

*HIGHLY SCRATCH AND CHEMICAL RESISTANT

(RESISTS VIGOROUS RUBBING WITH STEEL WOOL!)

*50%-75% LIGHTER THAN GLASS

*FLEXIBLE

*SHATTERPROOF

*HIGHER RESISTANCE TO PITTING THAN LEXAN

*AVAILABLE IN OVERSIZE OR STOCK FIT

*THE BEST IN OPTICAL CLARITY

*CAN BE CLEANED WITH STANDARD GLASS CLEANER

( NO EXTRA POLISHES OR CLEANERS NEEDED)

*EXCELLENT WATER SHEDDING CAPABILITIES

(WATER BEADS UP AND BLOWS OFF CREATING FANTASTIC VISIBILTY)

*WINDSHIELD WIPER FRIENDLY


From- http://www.percyshp.com/speedracwin.html

 

[Greg]

Info about Lexan-

Clear Lexan
Lexan polycarbonate is one of the most widely known "plastics". Lexan sheet with its unique combination of high impact strength, flame retardancy, and thermoformability makes it ideally suited for security applications. No other plastic can match Lexan's combination of light transmittance (clarity), and the ability to withstand extreme impact.

In thicknesses of .125", Lexan 9034 sheet will transmit 86% of the light. Lexan 9034 is UV stabilized, has a heat deflection temperature of 270 degrees F at 264 PSI, and has a smoke density rating less than 75. Lexan 9034 is engineered for window glazing as well as for sign applications. In addition to colorless (clear), Lexan 9034 is available in solar gray and bronze in thicknesses from .080" to .500".

Lexan XL is a solar grade sheet which provides superior UV resistance in addition to offering high thermal insulation values. Applications for Lexan XL include skylights, space enclosures, covered walkways, and sloped and vertical glazing.

Lexan Margard provides the superior impact resistance of Lexan 9034 with the advantage of an abrasion resisting state-of-the-art coating. Lexan Margard is unsurpassed in high vandalism areas such as schools, bus stops, public buildings, storefronts, shopping malls, and wherever clarity, safety, and security are required.


Properties
Excellent impact strength
Good weatherability
Ease of machining
Thermoformability
UV resisting


Pricing-

Type Width Length Thickness Price
Clear Lexan 24" 72" 1/4" $111.20
Clear Lexan 24" 60" 1/4" $93.50
Clear Lexan 24" 60" 3/16" $75.70
Clear Lexan 24" 72" 3/16" $89.84


Lexan MR-10 - Abrasion resistant

Lexan MR-10 sheet combines the impact strength of Lexan polycarbonate sheet with a new, highly abrasion-resistant surface that approaches glass in performance. Lexan MR-10 sheet is the only polycarbonate sheet backed by a manufacturer's warranty against abrasion, coating failure and breakage. Lexan MR-10 sheet's unique coating "defies graffiti to stick", enabling restoration to like-new condition. Additional benefits include improved resistance to weathering, improved service life and lower life-cycle material costs.

Lexan MR-10 sheet is for transparent applications only. Because of its high mar-resistant surface, paint, adhesives and other materials will not adhere to its surface. The coating is applied to both sides, therefore eliminating second-surface decoration. Due to its mar-resistant coating, this product cannot be cold-formed and is intended for flat applications only.


Properties
Impact strength
Abrasion resistance
Optical clarity
Weatherability
Graffiti resistance
Chemical resistance
Light weight

For pricing on the MR 10 contact
Polymer Plastics at 775-856-7000
If you have a template for your windshield ask about
Polymer Plastics cutting your Lexan to fit.


http://www.nevadaracing.com/lexan.html

Intresting how they don't list the price for the scratch resistant stuff. The regular Lexan seems very affordable!

 

[Hickey]

I would call Regional Supply, and discuss what you want to do with them. There may be another product that is more suitable for your situation. IMO, I wouldn' go thinner than 3/16.