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where to get a Lexan windshield?


AJ Hartman

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http://www.racingmetal.com has take off Lexan windsheilds from NASCAR. The ones I've gotton are in great shape, have 3-4 tear offs still on them, and are quite large - I cut them to fit my 944 windshield. While the bend wasn't perfect, it was close and easily pulled in. I've run them for the last coupel of years. Call them, they don't advertise. They were about $35 apiece when I last got some. Not custom, but a steal in price.
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  • 2 weeks later...

How about the rear glass? Can a large sheet of 1/8" lexan be cut to shape and used or is a molded $$$ replacement the only way to go?

 

I seem determined to take weight off the wrong end of the car.

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How about the rear glass? Can a large sheet of 1/8" lexan be cut to shape and used or is a molded $$$ replacement the only way to go?

 

I seem determined to take weight off the wrong end of the car.

 

I used cheap lexan from Home Depot....

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How about the rear glass? Can a large sheet of 1/8" lexan be cut to shape and used or is a molded $$$ replacement the only way to go?

 

 

While not an AI car, the application is no different. I make my own fronts out of 1/4" poly and rear 1/8" poly. Call around to local plastic suppliers, runs me about $100 is all. It is easy to work with and easy to make once you get your template made. If you need a "how to" just ask. I have a new and better technique to get the black edge on the poly now not seen in the photo below.

 

pict0302k.th.jpg

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

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How about the rear glass? Can a large sheet of 1/8" lexan be cut to shape and used or is a molded $$$ replacement the only way to go?

 

 

While not an AI car, the application is no different. I make my own fronts out of 1/4" poly and rear 1/8" poly. Call around to local plastic suppliers, runs me about $100 is all. It is easy to work with and easy to make once you get your template made. If you need a "how to" just ask. I have a new and better technique to get the black edge on the poly now not seen in the photo below.

 

pict0302k.th.jpg

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Paint the underside.

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How about the rear glass? Can a large sheet of 1/8" lexan be cut to shape and used or is a molded $$$ replacement the only way to go?

 

 

While not an AI car, the application is no different. I make my own fronts out of 1/4" poly and rear 1/8" poly. Call around to local plastic suppliers, runs me about $100 is all. It is easy to work with and easy to make once you get your template made. If you need a "how to" just ask. I have a new and better technique to get the black edge on the poly now not seen in the photo below.

 

pict0302k.th.jpg

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Paint the underside.

 

Use RC car body paint from the local hobby store. It actually "melts" into the lexan and won't flake off...

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For cutting the 1/8" lexan I used a pair of large tin snips to cut the side windows out and then used a right angle grinder with a flap disc to smooth out the edges. Worked for me.

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What do you use to cut the lexan by hand?

 

I cut both 1/8 and 1/4 with a fine tooth jigsaw blade, whatever the finest TPI they have at the home improvement store. Cuts quick and clean, make sure the protective layer is still on the poly or you'll scratch it. If you can't cut straight with a jigsaw you can clean it up with any type of sanding tool - belt sander, orbital sander, grinder with sanding disc, even a file.

 

As to the "black edge", rather than try and tape off a nice 2" or so edge all around, just cut 2" of the protective layer off from the edge. Make a "L" shape out of aluminum and attach a razor blade to one end and use the edge of the poly as a guide. Takes all of 1 minute to have a clean 2" edge ready for paint. Black plastic paint from the home improvement store has worked fine for me, hit the poly with 320grit or so before putting the paint on.

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I use an air saw. I've heard people use jig saws as well.

 

Just finished this up tonight.

 

IMG_0427.jpg

 

Painted the black underneath the lexan with just a rattle can. Just make sure you scoth pad it and clean it to get good adhesion.

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What do you use to cut the lexan by hand?

 

I cut both 1/8 and 1/4 with a fine tooth jigsaw blade, whatever the finest TPI they have at the home improvement store. Cuts quick and clean, make sure the protective layer is still on the poly or you'll scratch it. If you can't cut straight with a jigsaw you can clean it up with any type of sanding tool - belt sander, orbital sander, grinder with sanding disc, even a file.

 

As to the "black edge", rather than try and tape off a nice 2" or so edge all around, just cut 2" of the protective layer off from the edge. Make a "L" shape out of aluminum and attach a razor blade to one end and use the edge of the poly as a guide. Takes all of 1 minute to have a clean 2" edge ready for paint. Black plastic paint from the home improvement store has worked fine for me, hit the poly with 320grit or so before putting the paint on.

 

Pretty much exactly how I do it. takes no time at all to have a nice clean edge ready to paint.

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I use an air saw. I've heard people use jig saws as well.

 

Just finished this up tonight.

 

IMG_0427.jpg

 

Painted the black underneath the lexan with just a rattle can. Just make sure you scoth pad it and clean it to get good adhesion.

 

Looks great. How much did the rear glass weigh?

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using my bathroom scale it said the rear glass was 23lbs and the lexan (3/16) was 13 for 10 lbs saving. the quarter windows together was only about 1.5 lbs. saved. the front, I had a little issue weighing it cause when I cut it out I just dumped it in a trashcan along with some glass from the junkyard roof I used but I'm guessing its close to 40lbs. (scale showed 45) I have a buddy in the glass business that is bringing me a front windshield to use as a template so I will weigh it then but my guess is the front will save around 25lbs with 3/16th.

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