LEXAN windshields?

[Safety Guy]

In the chop top thread, Lexan windshields were mentioned. I imagine these are fairly thick and may meet DOT requirements.

Does anyone know anything? Companies that do the work?

I'm primarily interested in potential weight savings and possible upgraded safety.

Karl

[FB71]

polycarbonate/LEXAN/PLEXIGlass does NOT meet DOT regs, currently. It doesn't absorb impact the way safety glass does. Safety glass fractures, then distorts around the occupant's head as they impact, due to the polymer layer between the glass layers. PC would just reflect that energy back into the occupant's head. Also, PC is too soft to use with windshield wipers. After a few swipes, enough scratches would be present to render the glazing optically opaque. Several manufacturers are working on PC glazing for positions other than windshield, with heavy concentration on UV stabalization and scratch resistance with a DLC (Diamond Like Coating, brand name for a type of carbon vapor deposite). We probably won't see production from OEMs for a few years yet, cuz Uncle Sam has to give it their stamp of approval.

[Pu241]

Safety Guy,

Agree with FB71 on Lexan/polycarbonate for windshield application.
But some weight savings maybe gained by using it in the rear pop-out window areas.
Be aware they will yellow and microfracture over time.

Could also use it for and airdam and or a blockoff plate behind/infront of the grill.

[piratewilly]

Safety Guy,

Agree with FB71 on Lexan/polycarbonate for windshield application.
But some weight savings maybe gained by using it in the rear pop-out window areas.
Be aware they will yellow and microfracture over time.

Could also use it for and airdam and or a blockoff plate behind/infront of the grill.

yeah i know we use lexan on our race cars, if u dont clean them with special cleaner and rag they will crack, if u leave the car parked in the sun they will crack, and also i have run into problems where they can warp. Really unless u can park it in a garage and keep it covered all the time i wouldn't use it, just to much of a hassle, there is easier ways to loose the weight

[CharlieZ]

Here's a link to a brand name. http://www.polyshields.com/main.html
Q. I've seen other polycarbonate windshields advertised - are they the same as a PolyShield®?
A. No! While polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass, it has (up until now) had the down side of being easy to scratch. Our PolyShields® solve this problem by being coated with our exclusive scratch resistent coating inside and out. This brings the level of abrasion resistance of a PolyShield® to within 0.3% of factory glass!

Moderator, I don't have a dog in the fight but if products by brand name can't be mentioned, please remove or edit this post. Thanks.
CZ

[getnpsi]

What about using the pillars and top part from another car with a more sloping windshield? weld the whole piece in that way and its oem. Most skinny cars are going to have a steeper angle but you could get lucky. festivawes should be all over this idea, with his experience. What about a civic, crx, an old colt? Actually if you just chopped the festiva pillars and rewelded lower you could use your windshield intact, and the angle would be more with the hood. I dunno. In theory that is the approach i would do if i was converting a car that didnt have the convertible option...into a comvertible. That way the attaching points when closed would work, and you'd only have to worry about installation in the rear.

[FB71]

I've actually had some luck cutting safety glass. It requires alot of time, patience, a steady hand, a diamond cutting wheel, and lots of water. Took me 4-5hrs to cut the corners (diagonally) off of an Aerostar windshield for friend's kit car. Each cut was about 8 inches long, 2 cuts.

[FestYboy]

when Archie (of V8 Archie fame) chops a Fiero, he uses PC (Lexan) side windows fit for the chop in the doors. so far i havn't heard of scratching problems with those.

[festivaWES]

I've actually had some luck cutting safety glass. It requires alot of time, patience, a steady hand, a diamond cutting wheel, and lots of water. Took me 4-5hrs to cut the corners (diagonally) off of an Aerostar windshield for friend's kit car. Each cut was about 8 inches long, 2 cuts.

I have also had good experiences and bad when cutting laminated AS1 safety glass. It takes a talented hand i must say. Can you mold lexan if you were to buy a sheet? I've never tried it but if you could remove your facotry glass windshield intact and buy 1/4" lexan and throw it into a powdercoating oven or something? The same would apply to the rear quarters and back window. I know you could get a lat piece of lexan in there but over time with the elements it would crack for sure.

[festivaWES]

BTW I'd do a chop top, but in a way it would take away from the "festiva look"......so that being said i probably never will.

[CharlieZ]

... it would take away from the "festiva look"...

I agree. Most of the charm, if you want to call it that, is in the original small but tall look. After all, isn't the look what catches your eye when you're driving by at 65 and see one in the far corner of someone's yard or building, in a pile of other stuff and the wife or GF ask, "what the heck are you looking at?"