perspex windows

Track days, racing, rallying, hill climbs, autotests, tuning & uprating etc.
Post Reply
Message
Author
rich
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:35 pm
Location: coventry

perspex windows

#1 Post by rich »

has any one any tips on fitting perspex windows to a dolly .
i have found a company that supplies them ,but wondered whether its as easy to make them yourself.
the cost supplied is about £200 if anyone else is considering it we may get a discount although this does not include the front screen as this has to to stay to be road legal i think.

if trying to save weight i was told it is half the weight of glass.

rich
Dolly racer 33

Re: perspex windows

#2 Post by Dolly racer 33 »

Hi, I have always made them myself for all the cars I prepare, If you are a 'handyman' then fairly straightforward by using a jigsaw & a small angle grinder then clean up with fine glasspaper.
User avatar
trackerjack
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 4727
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm
Location: hampshire

Re: perspex windows

#3 Post by trackerjack »

Perspex (acrylic sheet) is brittle and can be polished to a glass see through using T Cut so scratches can be removed by wet and dry followed by T cut.
Polycarbon sheet is virtually unbreakable but cannot be polished in the same way but does scratch, but unlike Perspex (acrylic sheet) is easier to cut and shape as it will not shatter.
Any plastics supplier like Almari will be much cheaper than B&Q etc.
track action maniac.

The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!
alolympic

Re: perspex windows

#4 Post by alolympic »

I have polycarbonate windows with a Lexan coating in the Toledo.
I thought it was Perspex that scratches easily, polycarbonate that doesn't? That is my experience with perspex windows in my Rochdale too.
Only really worthwhile if you can't strip weight for free any other way IMHO. The £ cost per lb that you are losing is pretty high.
User avatar
trackerjack
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 4727
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm
Location: hampshire

Re: perspex windows

#5 Post by trackerjack »

They all scratch unfortunately but polycarb is a softer material hence why it is hard to polish out scratches.
Polycarb has another nasty too in that some cleaners will attack it if the cleaner has emulsifiers in it (whatever they are) which is why soap and water only.
The really good thing is that as polycarb is virtually unbreakable you can have it much thinner hence more weight saving 8)
track action maniac.

The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!
rich
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:35 pm
Location: coventry

Re: perspex windows

#6 Post by rich »

ok then john, which one??

http://www.amariplastics.com/amariplast ... asp?tid=84

seems if i want to choose a thickness then it would be the mono 099 and if i want to avoid the problems you list then it would be the nr.

not sure what they cost yet though.

alolympic, could you tell me were you aquired you're,s and do either of you have the front screen done.

rich
alolympic

Re: perspex windows

#7 Post by alolympic »

I got mine done by Plastic 4 Performance. Remember, mine are for the 2 door, so none of the templates will fit yours.
Front screen, ummm, no, I didn't think it was legal to have a plastic front screen? Either way, it doesn't seem practical with the markings that would result from the muck, stones, and wipers swiping it every drive.
User avatar
trackerjack
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 4727
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm
Location: hampshire

Re: perspex windows

#8 Post by trackerjack »

Even racers keep the front screen standard but check to make sure its laminated as there are some toughened ones out there and when I found my Stag had one it err broke and had to be replaced.
Makrolon is a trade name and to be honest I had no idea that it came in such a range of types, I would seek their advice as its beyond my knowledge, sorry.
track action maniac.

The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!
Post Reply