Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

[turfman]

I'm wondering if anyone has had sucess in bending plexi or lexan for a windshield.

I'm thinking of making a 7/8ths mold, heating the stuff up in a big oven at work, then try to form it around the mold.

Possibilities?


Mark

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

I haven't made a windshield, but I've formed other stuff this way.

Stuff to note:

1) Don't use the oven for food later

2) Make sure you pre-dry the acrylic to drive off bubble-forming moisture - putting it in a dry environment for a while helps (dehumidifier) as does leaving it near the oven for a few hours to heat it to 80-90 degrees F.

3) Heat slowly and monitor temperature to avoid bubbles

4) make sure the acrylic is clean beforehand and don't leave fingerprints on it before you heat it up

5) Have the mold ready to go before you start heating, you won't have time later

6) Let it cool slowly

Erik

 

[mspring]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

I am going to be converting a 20 ft bowrider to a center console. I am going to make my own console and will have to make a windshield also. I too am thinking of using plexiglass from Lowes or Home Depot. I bought a broken skylight at Lowes one time cheap, one of the big plastic ones, and it was even tinted plexiglass

I used it to make a windshield for my rc airplane and it worked great. Of course it was smaller but the theory is the same.

I am thinking of making a mold, laying the plexi on it and heating the sides that need to be bent with a butane torch, held away from it so it will not distort the plexi.

Keep us informed on how you do yours I am not even close to working on my console yet, still working on transom and stringers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

i used lexan for HD, to replace the port side windshield of my bow rider. easy to bend, and cut with very fine blade, and jib saw.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

I am thinking of making a mold, laying the plexi on it and heating the sides that need to be bent with a butane torch, held away from it so it will not distort the plexi.

Keep us informed on how you do yours I am not even close to working on my console yet, still working on transom and stringers.

Good luck with that... I've found that using a high heat source like a torch causes distortion, bubbling, and charring when used on thicker pieces or larger ones.

For myself, my windshield is going to be too large once I finish my hardtop to want to do it in acrylic... I'm going to get either custom cut glass or a custom made marine windshield.

Erik

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

here's some more info with good links.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=202026&highlight=windshield+repair

 

[wire2]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

Plexiglass is brittle and will age quickly from UV, Lexan is far better suited for a windshield. It will go rubbery in an oven and can easily be shaped on a form.

Sign shops use Lexan heated while hanging vertical in an oven, formed on a vacuum table, then painted on the inside, for signs for GM dealers, Shell gas, Dairy Queen, and many others.

 

[thurps]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

Do not use an acrylic plastic for a windshield because of reasons stated by wire2. Most glass shops carry polycarbonate (lexen) sheet which is easily bent using an electric heat gun. Go slow and you should have great results. Practice on scraps first.

 

[turfman]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

Thanks guys.

I'll go the lexan route. I never thought of the heatgun. Would the type udes for wall paper be sufficient; I have one of them and I believe it goes down to 100 degrees. I just won't hold it right on the lexan.

Mspring.

I'm not much farther than you at this point but will probably get around to the console by March.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

the gun should work.

 

[turfman]

Re: Is it feasable to make your own windshield?

After some more head scratching; I don't think I'll even have to make a mold. I'll probably just use the body of the console itself. That should do it.