DIY Lexan Windshield
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DIY Lexan Windshield Can anyone give feedback on this, i am planning on buying a 4 x 8 sheet from Home Depot which will be cut to fit as a stock replacement. I know there are threads out there but I am looking for more recent experiences in doing this.
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After talking to the guys at Optic Armor, those pieces sound well worth the money. I was still under the "old school" impression of lexan and the do's and don't of it. After talking with those guys, it sounds like they have eliminated all of the common headaches of traditional lexan, yellowing from sun, scratching, etc. I would give them a call and see what they can do for you before spending time and money on fabbing your own that may not come out as good as desired.
Problem is he curvature of the glass, it's a big liece and you won't get a flat sheet of lexan to ever lay right and it will end up having a funny bow in it and look jacked up.
The prefit Percy's glass that's already got the boarder painted on it is a no brainer, for the cost you can't go wrong. Drops right in. Save yourself alot of time and headaches, trust me.
If you were talking about doing windows for something old school with basically flat, small glass, different story.
The prefit Percy's glass that's already got the boarder painted on it is a no brainer, for the cost you can't go wrong. Drops right in. Save yourself alot of time and headaches, trust me.
If you were talking about doing windows for something old school with basically flat, small glass, different story.
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We've installed a ton of Optic Armor drop in windows and after seeing how easy it makes everything there is no way I'd ever consider trying to cut my own for a front or rear window. DIY side panels is another thing which Optic Armor sells the same high quality material for that an can be purchased tinted.
I was a fork lift operator for some time years ago and we replaced the windows often because of discoloring and scratching over time. We used a special mix to clean the windows to try and reduce scratching but they still look horrible in a couple of years time.
Not to mention getting tint to look good and stay looking good from the Home Improvement Stores material is a task, we tried it many times in our younger days of building stereo boxes.
We just got a stocking order of Optic Armor this week if anyone is interested.
I was a fork lift operator for some time years ago and we replaced the windows often because of discoloring and scratching over time. We used a special mix to clean the windows to try and reduce scratching but they still look horrible in a couple of years time.
Not to mention getting tint to look good and stay looking good from the Home Improvement Stores material is a task, we tried it many times in our younger days of building stereo boxes.
We just got a stocking order of Optic Armor this week if anyone is interested.
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FYI... Percy's is no longer in buisness, it changed hands a few times. The company now is Percy's Optical Plastics(POP) and sells their hard coated polycarbonate motorsports products under the Optic Armor name. "Lexan" is the product name from GE back in the day, and still sold now. Lexan, Optic Armor, etc are just brand names, the material is actually known as polycarbonate.
Anyone needing any polycarbonate windows for any model car please contact us for the right info and the best prices. We have done a ton of windows over the years and have the right advice for you.
Anyone needing any polycarbonate windows for any model car please contact us for the right info and the best prices. We have done a ton of windows over the years and have the right advice for you.
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FYI... Percy's is no longer in buisness, it changed hands a few times. The company now is Percy's Optical Plastics(POP) and sells their hard coated polycarbonate motorsports products under the Optic Armor name. "Lexan" is the product name from GE back in the day, and still sold now. Lexan, Optic Armor, etc are just brand names, the material is actually known as polycarbonate.
Anyone needing any polycarbonate windows for any model car please contact us for the right info and the best prices. We have done a ton of windows over the years and have the right advice for you.
Anyone needing any polycarbonate windows for any model car please contact us for the right info and the best prices. We have done a ton of windows over the years and have the right advice for you.
The car i'm building now 94 Supra came with front and rear lexan pieces that are pretty dated, hazed, and lightly scratched so i'm thinking of replacing them but since it's not your run-of-the-mill Mustang or Camaro i don't think they have the drop-ins so i'm wondering if i sent them my pieces if they could cut 2 new ones using mine as templates?
What are the prices for front or rear windshields btw?
Optic Armor will be up to 90 days on custom windows such as your application being it isn't one they currently offer. Costs will be a bit higher than normal as well, something that will have to custom quoted at the time of the job.
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1/8 is too thin, I made that mistake a few years ago, at about 120 it blew in, luckily didn't come unhooked or break, but scared the S&&& out of me... I had to bump up to 3/16 and add 3 windshield stays behind it.. The plastic wants to buffet from pressure change without the stays..
Last edited by pdxmotorhead; Mar 3, 2017 at 01:24 PM.
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Here's mine, and if the windows are down the windshield will move around some over about 80ish mph, kinda makes you wonder the first time it happens. It seems solid though so Im not too worried about it.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l-f-r-how.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l-f-r-how.html
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The biggest difference between Optic Armor and just buying a sheet from Home Depot is the coating that is applied to the lexan. That Home Depot stuff will scratch easy as can be, just wiping it off.
If your lexan is yellowed and looking a little smokey. Get a bottle of that turtle wax plastic restorer. Take a buffing wheel and buff the crap out of it. Make sure you move fast and don't stop while buffing. It will look close to new. Works fantastic on headlight lens and even tail light lens too.
If your lexan is yellowed and looking a little smokey. Get a bottle of that turtle wax plastic restorer. Take a buffing wheel and buff the crap out of it. Make sure you move fast and don't stop while buffing. It will look close to new. Works fantastic on headlight lens and even tail light lens too.
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From: Carlinville, IL
1/8 is too thin, I made that mistake a few years ago, at about 120 it blew in, luckily didn't come unhooked or break, but scared the S&&& out of me... I had to bump up to 3/16 and add 3 windshield stays behind it.. The plastic wants to buffet from pressure change without the stays..
