Lexan, Acrylic, Thickness ?

[Albatross]

My new project is to replace the windshield on my Crossle 20F.
Lexan is suppose to be much stronger than Acrylic. However, unable to find thickness greater than .093. For those who live in Rio Linda, .093 is less than 1/8th of an inch. Suggestions please from those with much experience. Yes, I'm familiar with "Aircraft Windshield Co".

[R. Pare]

Try Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, etc. Many of them carry it under the name polycarbonate. You can also order it fem McMaster-Carr.

[DaveW]

My new project is to replace the windshield on my Crossle 20F.
Lexan is suppose to be much stronger than Acrylic. However, unable to find thickness greater than .093. For those who live in Rio Linda, .093 is less than 1/8th of an inch. Suggestions please from those with much experience. Yes, I'm familiar with "Aircraft Windshield Co".

The only downside to Lexan, (polycarbonate), IMO, and it is a serious one, is that if it comes in contact with a signficant amount of gasoline or oil, it will "craze" and fall apart. Otherwise, it is much stronger and much more impact resistant than acrylic.

[racerdad2]

Thx for the heads up on Lexan !

[Steve Demeter]

In the days when my cars had windshields I made replacements from old acetate visors.

Plenty flexible and cheap (I had a lot of them around from the stone ages).

But they were really wind deflectors more than anything else.

[J Vigs]

Albatross,

I happen to have a Aircraft Windshield mold for a 20F if you are interested.

I could take it down to Los Alimitos if you want to have one made from it.

When I had mine made 10 years ago they didn't have a mold so I paid to make one. Since I paid for it I keep it and take it to them when I need one.

I have used acrylic with good success. It just gets pitted from all the sand and rocks at Willow Springs.

John Viggers
Redondo Beach

[scorp997]

use the correct drill bits!

Both plastics listed will crack at the drilled hole if you don't use the right type of bit and the right speed.

[Albatross]

Thanks everyone. Dave, I'll try to remember not to wash my car/windshield with gasoline, just kidding, thank you for the warning. Apparently, Lexan is the preferred material; much stronger and tougher against stones thrown back when closely drafting. I have in mind particularly Pacific Raceway, Seattle, when closely following coming out of turn 2 and 3B. Discovered through some experience that I really don't need a mold for this simple 31" arc with a 15 inch radius. When drilling, I'll use very light pressure. Using a band saw when cutting is an absolute must! Thanks very much everyone.

[racerdad2]

Having taken a golf ball sized rock in my face shield, I can attest to Lexan's strength....

[Tiago Santos]

I've bought bits from the leftover pile at the local industrial plastic supplier.. Quite a bit cheaper than normal prices. Other than that, mcmaster has a few (too many? ) types of polycarbonate in many different sizes and thicknesses..

Is it bad that mcmaster is the answer to just about anything?

[aims20]

I've bought bits from the leftover pile at the local industrial plastic supplier.. Quite a bit cheaper than normal prices. Other than that, mcmaster has a few (too many? ) types of polycarbonate in many different sizes and thicknesses..

Is it bad that mcmaster is the answer to just about anything?

You should see the pile of McMaster bags that came in for a project we are working on at my day job.

In other words, the nuclear industry would answer your question with an unequivocal 'Yes.'

[Dennis Valet]

I dunno, ask this lady

[scorp997]

see through car and a skirt that short..... accident waiting to happen!

[alangbaker]

You should see the pile of McMaster bags that came in for a project we are working on at my day job.

In other words, the nuclear industry would answer your question with an unequivocal 'Yes.'

I just wish they weren't such a pain about shipping to Canada...

[Neil_Roberts]

There are FIA minimums for polycarbonate glazing thickness on GT cars that you can use for basic guidance. The minimum for windshields is 6 mm ( 0.236" ). For side and rear windows, it's 3 mm ( 0.118" ) minimum.

[Paul LeCain]

use the correct drill bits!

Both plastics listed will crack at the drilled hole if you don't use the right type of bit and the right speed.

You can also use a pointed abrasive bit, in a Dremel tool

It melts the Lexan and makes a nice smooth hole.

[Modo]

if this helps, Lexan here at US Plastics believe Ohio ..... http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...=searchresults

[924RACR]

see through car and a skirt that short..... accident waiting to happen!

LOL...

Ah, to be a pothole...

[bill oakey]

use the correct drill bits!

Both plastics listed will crack at the drilled hole if you don't use the right type of bit and the right speed.

What are the correct drill bit? Speed slow or fast? 1/8" plexiglass now but maybe polycarbonate in the future.

Thanks