lexan question

[cantwell.colton]

i know i can cut it and how to do it - but would it be alright to drill straight through it? im thinkin of putting hinges on my windshield so i can open it up a little or even take it off or fold it down

 

[35Mastr]

Lexan is no good for a street car.

 

[cantwell.colton]

Lexan is no good for a street car.

- you cant very well make a statement like that and not give at least 3
good reasons why lol.

they use it fine on motorcycles.
they use it fine in boats.
they use it fine in almost any racing application.
its 250x more impact resistant.
1in of it can stop a .44 point blank.
the only downside is the scratching of it etc. - no big deal.

 

[DA34GUY]

U asked for it.

1- Scratch's
2- Scratch's
3- Scratch's

4 Cop will write ya a ticket.
Is that enuf 4 ya?

 

[HOT40ROD]

Lexan is being used in street cars. A lot of your high end sports cars and Ford is using in on some of the there car and trucks. just not using for windshields yet. But there is talk of it.

 

[FlatBroke]

I have been playin with the idea of using it in my doors.
Wouldn't you be able to put a couple of layers of transparent "tint" on each side (like how NASCARdoes it) to prevent all the scratches?

Im just tossin ideas out there...

 

[DA34GUY]

Lexan is being used in street cars. A lot of your high end sports cars and Ford is using in on some of the there car and trucks. just not using for windshields yet. But there is talk of it.

Don't think Ford or other would be using anything that scratch's
Also, yes some of the europeans are using a poly - carb type, but it sure the hell ain't Lexan.
Lexan is just a copyright name as fridgedare is for refidgerators.
Do your research B4 ya lead some 1 in the wrong direction.

 

[zzrodder]

Whatever name you give it, plastic is not legal anywhere in North America for a front windshield. It's not even about the scratches - when shattered, it breaks into irregular jagged shapes (think spears) not human friendly...
Front windows are ONLY made from safety glass, the plastic layer keeps the fragments mostly together and hopefully out of your face . Side and rear windows are mostly made from tempered glass nowadays so it shatters into little bits, again so it causes less damage to fragile humans. Not sure on the legality of plastic on side windows tho safety glass is legal and commonly used, though cracks easily if it's loose in the channel and you slam the door.

 

[HOT40ROD]

Don't think Ford or other would be using anything that scratch's
Also, yes some of the europeans are using a poly - carb type, but it sure the hell ain't Lexan.
Lexan is just a copyright name as fridgedare is for refidgerators.
Do your research B4 ya lead some 1 in the wrong direction.

Lexan is a trade name for polycarbonate glass which is being used by Ford and some sports cars. My info is from the Vehicle rescue course from the National Fire Academy which is one of the courses that I teach as a fire/ems instructor.

There are many grades of Lexan and Porsche is using Polycarbonate glass in some of there cars and call it Lexan. It also has been used for years as bullet proof glass in auto.

Ford is using it in the rear windows of some of there hatch backs and in the side and rear windows of some of there vans and cars. To deal with it in a rescue you can use a sawalls to cut it or freeze it with a co2 extinguisher and smack it with a hard object. The second way is not recommended

As for windshield No it is not being used yet but the auto making have been trying to get it passed by the government.

There are other auto makers using Poly glass But with out looking in the Holmatro Rescue Guide I could not tell you who but I think Gm may have use it.

The Holmatro Guide list all the car and trucks and were things are located and what glass is being use to help the rescuer make a rescue with out any surprises. A update come out every year with the new modals and all updates.

 

[cantwell.colton]

Whatever name you give it, plastic is not legal anywhere in North America for a front windshield. It's not even about the scratches - when shattered, it breaks into irregular jagged shapes (think spears) not human friendly...
Front windows are ONLY made from safety glass, the plastic layer keeps the fragments mostly together and hopefully out of your face . Side and rear windows are mostly made from tempered glass nowadays so it shatters into little bits, again so it causes less damage to fragile humans. Not sure on the legality of plastic on side windows tho safety glass is legal and commonly used, though cracks easily if it's loose in the channel and you slam the door.

plastics do break -
lexan is a brand name
- its actually a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic - its what they make the canopies on airplanes out of- football helmets out of - the spacesuit visors
- bullet proof glass - motorcycle windshields - nascar windshields etc.

the major downfall is it is easy to scratch which tear off are an option but a little pricey - they also make a product "margard" its the stuff they put on the doors and such at school- but near impossible to break - which is why its "illegal" - cant get out in an emergency situation by busting out the windshield.....

 

[ANNAMEL]

Guess ole ZZ has no other coment on this one. "Your Honor the Defense rest their case" LOL

 

[52 fordman]

Windsheild!

Modern Saftey glass for me. Cut by the local glass company. I wont be using anything different. Some stuff you can skimp on saftey is not one of them!

Go run what you want. But think about your family and friends while they ride in your rat.


My 2 cents.

52 fordman

 

[cantwell.colton]

Modern Saftey glass for me. Cut by the local glass company. I wont be using anything different. Some stuff you can skimp on saftey is not one of them!

Go run what you want. But think about your family and friends while they ride in your rat.


My 2 cents.

52 fordman

safety IS NOT the issue unless somehow you become trapped underwater with the windows up - my truck doesnt have any windows btw...
this stuff is pretty indestructable - ive seen demos where they fire .22 and a 9mm at the stuff.. no problem.... lol i dont see what the huge deal is- maybe ill put in auto safety glass later if i dont like the scratching of the lexan - AND have a mighty fine template to give the glass cutter... but
all i wanted to know was if it was OK to drill through it or if anyone knew of a trick or what NOT to do --- I like the idea of a bullet proof windshield though[ddd


motorcycle windshield tests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE&feature=related

again - this is in no way a safety issue


also-
i understand the reasoning behind the "handout" so safety crews etc arent suprised -
but if i came across a vehicle that rolled over 3 or 4 times or whatever and the glass was in
tact - (which by the way - most slightly older - old vehicles dont use safety glass on anything except the windsheilds so your glass windows are probably less safe than those running lexan
) wouldnt a normal person assume theyre probably not normal glass windows? - or did they offer information on how to get around the problem?

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

What "not to do" is use plastic. The safety issue IS the scratching, which you cannot argue. Take a look at a piece of lexan that has been wiped/cleaned a lot. It WILL affect visability, especially in bright light situations. Sure, there may be higher grade (i.e. aircraft) products that are more resistant to scratching, but they will cost more than having a simple piece of proper glass cut. Safety glass is used for a reason, and it's not expensive! Make yourself a mighty fine template and do it the right way - the life you save may be your own.

 

[ANNAMEL]

For those of you who have NEVER used lexan for a windshield as far as safety do not know what you are talking about. I ran 1/4 lexan on asphalt tracks all around the southeast at over 150 mph and never felt safer hiding behing it when seeing a tire coming off another car and taking a direct hit. With the cars we are puting them on would never see the abuse i put mine thru. Theese cars cost over 60k so by far its not the cheap way out. Trust me nothing was cheap on theese cars. lexan on and install properly with the correct fasteners is way far safer. As far as scratches there is a 2 part polish that does a great job on it if needed. How many of theese cars see hard rain on a muddy road behind a tractor kicking up dirt. Besides mine when i get it done not many. Dont run anything and just have proper eye protection. Sorry bout the rant guys.

 

[zzrodder]

There is no arguing the strength of Lexan or polycarbonate, it's amazing stuff, no doubt. Sure you can drill it, though possibly that may weaken it at that point if a fastener is overtightened.
In the motorcycle window test, note that the polycarbonate window distorts and absorbs a lot of the impact, impressive when compared to the other one, though when rigidly mounted in a car window frame, the results may be different.
Obviously, there are different opinions on why it is good or bad but you have to think that the DOT has a darn good reason for making it illegal for a front window, besides making life tough for ratrodders.

 

[cantwell.colton]

There is no arguing the strength of Lexan or polycarbonate, it's amazing stuff, no doubt. Sure you can drill it, though possibly that may weaken it at that point if a fastener is overtightened.
In the motorcycle window test, note that the polycarbonate window distorts and absorbs a lot of the impact, impressive when compared to the other one, though when rigidly mounted in a car window frame, the results may be different.
Obviously, there are different opinions on why it is good or bad but you have to think that the DOT has a darn good reason for making it illegal for a front window, besides making life tough for ratrodders.

no doubt - and the trucks not going to be a daily driver yet - and its not like i have a whole lot of windshield exposed to begin with - like i said - if i start to have problems ill take it off and have a nice template for the safety glass to get cut...

 

[ANNAMEL]

I would say that was the best end we could have asked for. Hope this discussion helped you in making your mind up.

 

[Outlawracer]

I use those microfibre rags and they seem to work better than most rags. Dont seem to scratch like some of the others.

 

[35Mastr]

Still not legal to run on a registered car. Especially if you need to have it inspected. Safety glass will be the only thing that you can run on a car that is registered for actual road use.

I understand about all the debates. But when he checks your glass. it will be over with. Just not worth the hassle here where we live.