Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

[relocyo]

Ok so ive done a butt load of reading about fabing a plexi or lexan windshield, and I know its not advised I am aware of that but alot of the concerns people have about the ease of scratching I am wondering if maybe tinting the front or back or both would help with that, I am planning on building 2 12"x24" windscreens with a seperation between them, ultimately my question is would the tint adhere to the plexi or lexan? And has anyone else tried or seen this done? Just wanna know if I will have to re-do this every season or 2 or if it would last longer scratch/yellowing wise... Any past experiences would be great... Thanks guys...

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

I tinted the interior cabin windows of one of my boats, worked just fine for many years. I'm not so sure I'd do a windshield with much more than 30% tint. Professionally installed, it will stick.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

Lexan is more scratch-resistant than Plexiglass.

 

[sasto]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

Hi relcyo. If she were mine...I would purchase tinted poly for your shield. Comes in colors and shades. Plexi? good. Lexan? better. For me plexi works better for forming than lexan for a beginner.

 

[zagger]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

Both will scratch equally, the difference is where you could buff out scratches in plexi you will not be able to do it in lexan (polycarbonate = lexan = GE brand of polycarb). The other difference is that polycarbonate is impact resistant but acrylic (Plexiglas) is much more UV resistant. You can buy coated polycarbonate like MR-10 (GE brand) or SAR (scratch abrasion resistant= HYZOD brand) for little more than regular stuff and it will be much harder to scratch. Bean in plastic business for 18 years, most of the windows I cut for customers is from polycarbonate for safety reasons. PM me if you want more info, if all you need is two 12" X 24" I might be able to help out. Good luck.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

Ok thanks guys, if I can get this silly chevy pop-up out of the way, oh, ok, better now, ok since it seems that I would be able to tint the lexan, probably gonna try lexan for my project, I had another question, im going to use a couple heat guns to bend the lexan, its only a slight curve (about like your heel, or less) I dont know the exact number, but I digress, my question is when I use the proper sized dowls, do I need to wrap the jig dowls with something (cloth) to ensure a proper bend with minimal etching or marks in the lexan?.. Thanks any input would be great!

 

[zagger]

Re: Tinting plexiglass, or lexan...

Wrap the jig with 1/16 thick felt like the stuff kids use for arts and crafts.