Hey guys. Considering how hard it is to get perfect scratch free glass for some cars I was interested in plexiglass or Lexen.
Does anybody know or have some good links describing the properties of each or even better comparing the two...
From what I have read plexiglass is lighter and stronger then glass? Why is it then illegal in street cars and why don't factory cars come with it?
Is there any other options besides plexiglas or lexan?
Plexiglas / Lexen windows
Started by
_Viper_
, May 05 2012 03:36 PM
12 replies to this topic
#2
dattoman
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 03:43 PM
It scratches easily and crazes badly
Also difficult to clean (no solvents)
So you can't see thru it in bright sunlight or headlights
Also the windscreen is a structural part of the car nowdays
I had poly windows in the racecar... but not the front screen.. .that was glass
Also difficult to clean (no solvents)
So you can't see thru it in bright sunlight or headlights
Also the windscreen is a structural part of the car nowdays
I had poly windows in the racecar... but not the front screen.. .that was glass
#3
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 04:16 PM
What i find amusing about this is most modern eye glasses are made from polycarb.
So if thats legal to look through, and then look through glass to drive, why would polycarb windows not be legal in a car.....
Cheers.
So if thats legal to look through, and then look through glass to drive, why would polycarb windows not be legal in a car.....
Cheers.
#4
_Viper_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 04:27 PM
I read that it scratches easier then glass but it's also a lot easier to polish the scratches out?
Edited by Viper, 05 May 2012 - 04:29 PM.
#5
Neils LX
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 04:35 PM
It does not shatter like safety glass does it?
#7
_Quagmire_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 04:51 PM
yeah niel i believe it breaks into shards and shilvers ...like normal glass
#8
_Viper_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 05:48 PM
Been looking around and I've found that lexan is alot stronger then plexiglass but scratches easier. Plexiglass won't turn yellow (not for a long time anyway) although you can get uv resistant lexan.
One of the reasons I found lexan is illegal on the street is because in a accident it tends not to break and can trap occupants inside (this was a US website)
Seems like Plexiglass would be more suited? And possibly have a external clear coating that resists scratches
One of the reasons I found lexan is illegal on the street is because in a accident it tends not to break and can trap occupants inside (this was a US website)
Seems like Plexiglass would be more suited? And possibly have a external clear coating that resists scratches
#9
dattoman
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 05:57 PM
People don't want to be trying to polish scratches out of things
I hate even one scratch on my glasses... and it can't be polished out as it changes the prescription
I would assume polishing car windows if not done correctly could change perception thru the lense... but unlikely to be noticable
Poly would have a limited lifespan on a day to day vehicle... especially with windscreen wipers running on it... imagine the scratches you would get then !!!
Stick with glass... you can still get it... and get it custom made to suit hard to get vehicles
And if you really want poly... go see DOTMAR plastics in Canningvale and see what they have
Thats where my racecar stuff came from
I'd never use it on a front screen though
I hate even one scratch on my glasses... and it can't be polished out as it changes the prescription
I would assume polishing car windows if not done correctly could change perception thru the lense... but unlikely to be noticable
Poly would have a limited lifespan on a day to day vehicle... especially with windscreen wipers running on it... imagine the scratches you would get then !!!
Stick with glass... you can still get it... and get it custom made to suit hard to get vehicles
And if you really want poly... go see DOTMAR plastics in Canningvale and see what they have
Thats where my racecar stuff came from
I'd never use it on a front screen though
#10
_Viper_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 06:02 PM
Personally I'm mainly thinking of for my Gemini coupe, the door windows and the rear 1/4...
The door windows would probly be a problem when you wind them up and down (scratches) but would be ok on the rear 1/4's
The door windows would probly be a problem when you wind them up and down (scratches) but would be ok on the rear 1/4's
#11
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 06:12 PM
Fit aircon and remove the winders....Less weight again 
Cheers.
Cheers.
#12
_Viper_
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Posted 05 May 2012 - 06:26 PM
But then how would I hang my arm out the window and look fully sick?
Plus air con would weigh more
Seems to be a fair few scratch, uv and solvent resistant clear coatings availiable... How resistant is "resistant" is the question tho...
Plus air con would weigh more
Seems to be a fair few scratch, uv and solvent resistant clear coatings availiable... How resistant is "resistant" is the question tho...
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