Windshield Advice In PHX

Karl Bebout · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 10:32 AM

I was not having one of my luckier days and caught a rock with my windshield. Got a nasty little bulls eye with a 6"vertical crack.
I looked through the CC pages and found lots of information about windshield replacement and I'm not sure I want to run the risk of doing it myself.
I'm considering going with hard coated Lexan, since I don't have wipers to worry about, but would like some opinions from someone that has used the stuff. Also need to know if there are any glass shops in the Phoenix area that could do the job, either with glass or the plastic.

need4speed · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 10:56 AM

I had many problems with the glass windshield on my Lister, most of which were due to how Beck designed the mounting. I finally gave up and went to using non-hard coated Polycarbonate (Lexan is a brand name). I got a 4'x8' sheet of Makrolon from Laird Plastics in downtown Phoenix for around $100 (cash only for small orders) but they will also sell smaller pieces if they are available. The hard coated polycarbonate is harder to come by and is much more expensive (3x I believe). As far as how scratch resistant un-coated polycarbonate is, it has not really been a problem for me yet and since I bought a whole sheet I can make another 4 windshields when it does. Coyled also uses non-hard coated Lexan in his Cobra and is also pretty happy with it. Another good thing about using polycarbonate is that you won't break it if you install it yourself, which you may have to do since I do not think that an auto glass shop would want the liability from installing something that is not DOT approved.

mikiec · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 10:56 AM

Karl,

Mr. Pink just swapped out to a Lexan windshield. Hopefully he will chime in here.

Mike

JB34 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 05:56 PM

Same thing happened to me two years ago. Driving down the freeway and came up on a cement mixer. Watched a rock fall from the beast, take two bounces on the road, bounce off my hood and crack the windshield...all in ultra slow motion.

I replaced it with polycarbonate but only kept that for a while due to the way it scratches so easily. The rep at Port Plastics in Chandler recommended I try a different product. What I got was harder than the polycarbonate but softer than acyrlic. It will not shatter when hit and is more scratch resistant. I have had the same piece for two years now. It is not street legal but works pretty well. Just have to be very careful when cleaning it. Soft rags only...no paper. I will say that I really hate driving early mornings or late afternoons going into the sun. Not good.

I have a piece precut if you want to give it a try. A 4 X 8 sheet only cost me $80.

harley · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 11:11 PM

Karl

I would be interested in getting a 4x8 sheet of plastic - I know living here it is only a matter of time before I have a stone "kiss" the windshield. Let me know what you are going to do if you can --

thanks

jim

Karl Bebout · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 06:49 AM

Jim, thanks for the offer. Did you have any problems R&R-ing the frame? Did it start off being a problem with the sun or did that develop over time? Did you replace the rubber gasket inside the frame? Mine is pretty old so I don't know what kind of shape it'll be in.

Tim Brewer · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 07:52 AM

Karlos, you don't want to go to a Lexan windshield, they're no good. Just last week I was putting on one of those brackets to support the lower center of the windshield to the body, and figured larger screws would be beter than the tiny ones supplied. Long story short, I split my windshield in two. Changing the glass isn't very difficult to do. Did mine in one afternoon.
Tim

Karl Bebout · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 08:05 AM

Thanks Tim. Where'd you get your glass? I've seen that Finish Line, Shell Valley, and Cobra Restorers all offer them for $265- $300 plus freight.

JB34 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 08:57 AM

Karl,

My car was built in 96 and the rubber is original. I used a soap water solution as lube to remove the old glass. Once out, it cleaned up well and I reused it. If yours is badly cracked, best to replace. The job is easy and two guys can do it in 30 minutes. I don't know if your frame and assembly is similar to mine, but as I said, I have a piece cut and you can try it if you like. The plastic I have is called Vivak Poly. Glass is more rigid and the view is better, but I do like the track events and a lot of stuff gets thrown at you. I chose the poly because it's $40 to replace plastic Vs $300 for glass.

It's here if you want it.

mrpink · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 10:41 AM

The Lexan is awesome. I would not put glass in again. I got the stuff called M-10, I believe UV + scratch resistant.

harley · #11 (**permalink**) 12-26-2004, 09:46 PM

Karl

What did you decide -

I took a stone directly on the windshield while out and about today and i got a golf ball through the dining room window - not a good day for glass in my house - these events were not connected

I will get the window replaced but think it is time for additional protection under the sunscreens and a polycarb sheet seems like a good approach and now i need to do something about the windshield -

I know Mike (moneymanager) replaced his with a Finish Line product but having lived here awhile i know that it is just a matter of time before the next stone breaks the windshield -

Let me know -

Thanks
jim