Plexiglass windows?

I'm thinking about outfitting the doors in my '36 with plexiglass windows. Anybody doing this? Please keep in mind that the windows are hardly ever up. I mean it's rare.

Much depends on your states inspection laws if there are any. If there are, then plex will not be legal. They will have to be saftey glass. Unless you know someone that will pass it for inspection with plexiglass, safety glass is your only choice.

There are many different grades of what you are calling plexiglass. The stuff from your local hardware store is complete crap and unsafe for something like this. There are some that can withstand a rock or a bird impact but from what I have read on other forums this is still unsafe also as they have a tendancy of complete explosion from the impact. As sunsetdart said your state will probably not allow it. I would do some serious research about it first. What is wrong with proper safety automotive glass by the way ?

If you must use anything other than safety glass , use Glazed Lexan at least 3/16 thick
We use this in oval track race cars , very strong stuff and the glazing
resists scratching .

Check your State Inspection Law. Probably every state in the country requires safety glass for the front windshield, but may allow other forms for side windows. For instance the Model A wind wings are supposed to be tempered plate glass which is quite heavy and not safety glass and I suppose they would be grandfathered in on a restoration. My main message is that you want LEXAN, not plexiglass. Lexan is a bit more expensive than plexiglass but very nice material and very tough. Plexiglass will yellow in a year or two and the cut edges will be very ragged with a combination of melt from saw heat and the "frizzies" from the saw cut. I started with tempered glass for Model A wind wings (too heavy), went through horrible looking plexiglass and finally had some 3/16" thick LEXAN cut at the same glass shop. Finally after paying for the tempered glass and the horrible plexiglass the shop just made the Lexan wings for free in a sort of "I told you so and we are sorry for you while you learn." move. Anyway I would avoid plexiglass and I suppose any glass shop will be able to cut Lexan for you.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Lexan is a DuPont trademark for their polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is much more resistant to breaking and scratching than acrylic. Plexiglass is Rohm & Hass' trademarked name for acrylic.

might want to cut with a water cooled tile saw ?

polycarbonate cuts great with a very fine tooth circular saw...a 100 tooth blade works in a circular saw. The only problem with polycarb is that you cannot hydrogen flame polish the cut edges like you can with acrylic.

mike in tucson

I would just keep the glass and fit a tint, Its pretty good these days and looks like tinted glass, you can also get a multitude of colours :)

I used Lexan for the side windows & t-tops in my '84 Camaro. 3/16" for the sides & 1/8" for the t-tops {but if I did it again I'd use 3/16}. I did it to save weight. I think Lexan is what they make bullet proof glass out of so I'd be mostly concerned with not being able to get out {if doors jammed} in case of fire, etc... You could take the 1/8" stuff I had & bend it in 1/2 & step on it & it wouldn't even break. I shot it with a .22 rifle & didn't break. I just used the old glass as a template & cut it with a Makitta grinder & cut off wheel. I either had to have them all the way down or all the way up as they were to flimsy for 1/2 way up... I used the dark stuff so it looked tinted....Tented are legal in Nevada {or they were then, not sure if they still are as mine aren't tinted now}.... But it's expensive & if it's not expensive make sure that it's really Lexan & not just plexiglass... Hope this helps.... Bill

My plymouth is a convertable and the top is NEVER up. The windows are NEVER up. NEVER! :D The problem I'm running into is that I've shattered 5 glass windows now just by closing the doors. and I know I know... Go easy on the doors. Close them lightly... Yeah well easier said than done sometimes. And it only takes one time to shatter a window. I'm just getting tired of buying new glass every year.

The only reason that I want something in there is for the alarm. I have motion sensors so if you stick your arm in the car the windows roll up and the alarm sounds.

Why don't you install new window chanels and cat whiskers to cushion the glass? You should be able to purchase stock replacements from Steele Products.
Andy

I agree that Glazed Lexan is what you want. But you have to weigh the costs between that and glass. Personally, I would want glass just to be legal if it ever became an issue.

Any links for said "cat wiskers"? I've searched but am only getting cute pictures of kittens playing with yarn.... :rolleyes:

I might just have to stick with glass anyways becasue I've having a REALLY hard time finding anybody deals in the laxan and will cut me windows.

An automotive glass shop should be able to help you out. If you do not have one in your immediate area, you can also post this on the Upholstery/Interior forum.

Gee, dont make it harder than it is....Polycarbonate (Lexan is a brand of polycarbonate) cuts just fine with a fine tooth jig saw OR a laminate blade on a circular saw. After cutting, the edge can be sanded smooth with increasing finer grits of sandpaper....of course dont sand on the flat surface (duh). Polycarbonate is difficult to fire polish with a hydrogen torch like the acrylic (Plexiglas is a brand of acrylic) guys do. Never fire polish with a gas that contains carbon (duh again) since the soot leaves a permanent black mark.

Acrylic (Plexiglas) makes a terrible window material....almost impossible to clean without scratching because it is so soft. Acrylic splinters when broken.

Polycarbonate is harder to break and is a harder material but it also scratches when trying to get the road film off of it. Even the hard coat polycarb doesnt work. The NASCAR guys use hard coat polycarb but they toss the windows after each race. I had hard coat polycarb in my jeep windshield....it sucked in the sunlight. I switched to real glass....the cost was about half for the real glass vs the hard coat polycarb.

You can buy regular polycarbonate at any Cadillac Plastics location, at McMaster Carr and at many Home Depot Stores....HD may not have the appropriate thickness material. Look up plastics supply in your jello pages.....polycarbonate is everywhere. Usually, a sheet of 6mm (1/4" nominal) will run $130 for a 4' x 8' sheet. It also is available in many tints. Note that both acrylic and polycarbonate hold a static charge....they attract dust like crazy. You can buy antistatic polycarbonate....we just bought 6 sheets for $700 a sheets.

mike in tucson

Check with www.steelerubber.com for seal. The online catalog shows views of the part.
Seal # 70-0064-57 may be what you are looking for
or #40-0367-57
I would just enter in your car year and type and look at it all. You may find something that will work with minor mods.

Andy

Polycarbonate cuts great on the CNC with a 2 flute straight cut or spiral down bit.