Plastic or Glass Wind Wings?

bwnuts · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 09:02 PM

thinking about glass.....what are the pros and cons of each? I figure real glass may chip due to flying rocks but i haven't seen or felt any flying rocks in that area. anyone have an opinion?

Kit Cars Mexico · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 09:19 PM

I have them in glass with no problem, easy to clean and no scratches

tcrist · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 09:35 PM

Lexan, They are cheap to replace when needed. $25.00-$35.00 per set. Drilled,countersunk and deburred. Tap Plastics in Stockton Ca.
Terry

Paul F · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:02 PM

Sounds from your post that you use it on the street and not racing. So either is fine and it's just up to what you prefer. Match it to your windshield.

As said above, Lexan is a good option.

I prefer glass, just because of the look and feel.

twobjshelbys · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 12:48 PM

I'm on my second wing for the drivers side - it had a crack coming from one of the screws that just "exploded" in the wind and 1/2 of it blew away onto the side of the road. The other one has a star starting on one of the lower screws. I've backed it off a little but I'm sure it will go some time.

I've thought that the glass-on-metal would cause this and that there should be some felt backing between the two. Has anyone done this? I could probably go to a glass or home place and get some of this - it would be the same thing you use on glass on tabletops to space but if there are some already cut to fit that would nice.

Paul F · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 04:54 PM

Yes, you should have a fiber/felt washer between the metal and glass. Should come with the visor. But then, you should also not be cranking the screw down either. Rely on locktite, not torque, to hold it in place.

CHANMADD · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 06:23 PM

I have Lexan and made them a little larger and lower and it dramatically reduces the wind in the car. Also the wings get walked into often...well mine do!
John

lal Naja · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2010, 08:57 PM

Do you Cobra drivers feel that the Wind Wings really help with wind control? Is it worth fitting them?

Thanks,

Arthur

Paul F · #9 (**permalink**) 04-15-2010, 09:15 PM

Yes. On cool evenings they make a difference. Keep your arms in and your wings out.

lal Naja · #10 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 08:34 AM

Thanks Paul, Having only ever driven a Cobra for five minutes, I'm looking for all advice before taking any superfluous steps.

Arthur

thudmaster · #11 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 09:44 AM

If you get glass wings make sure they are tempered glass.

Excaliber · #12 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 10:37 AM

They sure do make a difference all right! I've currently got mine off while I'm doing some major work on the car. I take them off to avoid running into them and breaking them, again, when I'm doing a lot of work on the car. A few test drives clearly show it's a big difference in wind in the cockpit, side wings work!

STEVE-O · #13 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I'm on my second wing for the drivers side - it had a crack coming from one of the screws that just "exploded" in the wind and 1/2 of it blew away onto the side of the road. The other one has a star starting on one of the lower screws. I've backed it off a little but I'm sure it will go some time.

I've thought that the glass-on-metal would cause this and that there should be some felt backing between the two. Has anyone done this? I could probably go to a glass or home place and get some of this - it would be the same thing you use on glass on tabletops to space but if there are some already cut to fit that would nice.

I also had the same issue when I was trying out glass wind wings. One of the mounting screws must have created a pressure point and a little bump caused it to shatter. I dont believe I had overtightened them either. Fortunately Finishline sells them in safety glass but it was still a lot of glass pieces that blew into me and the car as I was driving.
I would imagine if a stone hit one of them that the same thing could happen.
I ended up ordering new plexiglas windwings from Finishline and to avoid scratches, ended up being careful when cleaning them. Also Zaino sells a nice polish for plexiglas.

rodneym · #14 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:18 PM

I'm glad that mine are plastic. On more than one occasion I would have busted glass ones. Hell, even the glass windshields aren't so great.
rodneym

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEVE-O

Also Zaino sells a nice polish for plexiglas.

This is what I use on the plastic wind wings and sun visors. It's very good. Some say it's the best, but who knows....

Ron61 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-17-2010, 06:03 AM

After having two sets of the wings break that I bought from Cobra Restorers, I took one wing and one visor down to the local glass shop and had them make me wings and visors out of Lexan. I also had the word COBRA in block letters put on all of them in proportion to the size and they have been on since 1998 without a scratch or problem. I used a product that is much like what Patrickt posted above. Total cost back in 98 was $40 dollars including the lettering. I believe the ones that I was buying from Cobra Restorers were right at $100 dollars then. I don't know why they kept breaking the area around the bolts that held them on, but they did.

Ron