Which perspex type material to bodge a car window?

jerrytug · Sep 17, 2020

gaz_moose said:
Just leave it as it is, the 'rat look' guys will like it.

Maybe I should put some more windows through in that case

KemppiFrog · Sep 17, 2020

My shipping co's local runabout was one of the first Merc T estates and some scrote bust the quarter light in the rear side door. Not available as no estates in that country. So I made one out of 3mm perspex. Looked good and I told them to replace it when it was in Germany later. It came back a few months later and I found the new bit packed in the boot and the perspex still in place....
The original was 3mm. All the glass was very thin.

Aff · Sep 17, 2020

awemawson said:
Odd though that although as said polycarbonate is used for riot shields, if you clean it with IPA (NOT the beer!) it will crack all over the place

I got caught out on a set of machine covers I designed a few years ago. On a customer site we were getting spiderweb stress cracking all around the fasteners on some 10mm Polycarb.
I thought I had messed up with some dimensions somewhere (the polycarb was bent to a large dome shape and then bolted to ally ribs) and was over-stressing the stuff.
Turned out one of the old boys on the shop floor was going 'belt and braces' and putting an extra blob of blue Loctite on the Tuffloc screws! The Loctite reacts with the polycarb making it as brittle as a rich tea biscuit!

aguycalledsteve · Sep 17, 2020

@jerrytug I work for an auto motive glass distributor. I could ask the question about that piece of glass if you would like me to?

Feel free to PM me with details of your motor, Make model, Reg and Chassis number probably a good starter for 10.

jerrytug · Sep 17, 2020

aguycalledsteve said:
@jerrytug I work for an auto motive glass distributor. I could ask the question about that piece of glass if you would like me to?

Feel free to PM me with details of your motor, Make model, Reg and Chassis number probably a good starter for 10.

Thanks will do

james butler · Sep 17, 2020

for what it costs why not claim on insurance to get it replaced?
the effort to put perspex/polycarb in not to mention the expense surely can't be worth it

jerrytug · Sep 17, 2020

james butler said:
for what it costs why not claim on insurance to get it replaced?
the effort to put perspex/polycarb in not to mention the expense surely can't be worth it

The last time I mentioned a broken window to my insurance, it went on my database for 5 yrs and it was a constant hassle, trying to explain to some dozy bint that I had never even claimed for it. (The window was smashed by a digger on site and the contractor paid).
I don't tell them ANYTHING these days, and never make claims, I just want to be legal.

james butler · Sep 17, 2020

jerrytug said:
The last time I mentioned a broken window to my insurance, it went on my database for 5 yrs and it was a constant hassle, trying to explain to some dozy bint that I had never even claimed for it. (The window was smashed by a digger on site and the contractor paid).
I don't tell them ANYTHING these days, and never make claims, I just want to be legal.

fair enough, I've personally never had any issues with claiming for glass in the past and hasnt effected my premiums.
local kids round here pinch glass hammers off buses and routinely smash windows for fun on rows of cars hence why i know.
that said glass can still be obtained from many sources for not much money, pilkington classic for example doesn't charge too much
i got an entire cars worth of glass from VGC glass in oldbury for less than £200, i think the one rear piece of glass was £35 new and looks a lot like the audi glass you need (mines a scirocco)

earthman · Sep 17, 2020

a111r said:
I'm not sure the bodge would make it easier to sell or get you a better price than just leaving it standard and broken?

As a prospective 'modern classic' buyer, I'd be wondering what else you have or haven't done.

Those are my thoughts too, if I were looking to buy the car then I'd want a glass window to be honest.

jerrytug · Sep 17, 2020

james butler said:
fair enough, I've personally never had any issues with claiming for glass in the past and hasnt effected my premiums.
local kids round here pinch glass hammers off buses and routinely smash windows for fun on rows of cars hence why i know.
that said glass can still be obtained from many sources for not much money, pilkington classic for example doesn't charge too much
i got an entire cars worth of glass from VGC glass in oldbury for less than £200, i think the one rear piece of glass was £35 new and looks a lot like the audi glass you need (mines a scirocco)

Pilking don't stock it unfortunately.

jerrytug · Sep 17, 2020

earthman said:
Those are my thoughts too, if I were looking to buy the car then I'd want a glass window to be honest.

Yes but they are *unavailable*, and it's a fantastic car worth keeping in reasonable nick.
I was thinking of making a replacement in 2mm-ish aluminium, it would be a permanent repair, and suit the vehicle as the paint is ally-coloured. As it's the back offside window, it would not restrict the driver's look-out.

Country Joe · Sep 17, 2020

jerrytug said:
The last time I mentioned a broken window to my insurance, it went on my database for 5 yrs and it was a constant hassle, trying to explain to some dozy bint that I had never even claimed for it. (The window was smashed by a digger on site and the contractor paid).
I don't tell them ANYTHING these days, and never make claims, I just want to be legal.

My sentiments, exactly!

I had a Focus ST220 slam into the side of my Caddy van back in March.
He wanted to do it on the insurance, which seemed strange as he was only 27, and I'd assumed his insurance would be fairly high anyway.

So I ended up having to involve them.

I haven't even contacted my insurance about it, yet - but I suspect that they'll hike the premium in November, regardless.
For years & years, too!

All the Best,
CJ

PhillipM · Sep 17, 2020

As mentioned you want polycarbonate with marguard and a UV resistant layer. However, I'd definately try to find glass first. Polycarb will scratch and haze far, far more easily and it's also not that cheap either.
It'll also stand out like a sore thumb if you're selling it.

earthman · Sep 17, 2020

jerrytug said:
Yes but they are *unavailable*, and it's a fantastic car worth keeping in reasonable nick.
I was thinking of making a replacement in 2mm-ish aluminium, it would be a permanent repair, and suit the vehicle as the paint is ally-coloured. As it's the back offside window, it would not restrict the driver's look-out.

It is a tough one but I'd keep on searching for a glass or see how much it is to have one made or cut out from another window.
In the States Mike from Wheeler Dealers did find a place that did exactly that, can't remember what classic car he took to them but same situation, no spares available.

KemppiFrog · Sep 17, 2020

Is cutting an existing glass possible? It sounds like it is, but I thought toughened was impossible? Maybe water jet?
If it helps, perspex softens at 120°C, enough to be formed over a mould. I did a big marble staircase with perspex spiral panels. 10mm thick.

KemppiFrog · Sep 17, 2020

Johnnybravo said:
It’s actually pretty easy to cut windscreens down. I cut a Vw Golf 1 windscreen down for a kit car. Taped up either side of the cut with vinyl tape. Then sandblasted along the line from both sides. Stanley knife to cut through the plastic in the middle. ( windscreens are laminated with plastic in the middle). Job done.

Yes, laminated not a prob, but the side glasses are toughened? Or am I out of date?
Going back, I have had six toughened screens go pop, from a brick to small stones (though one was was likely an air gun) And finding screens for a home build was tricky. We actually got the screen from a Statros to get round the problem of making a home build a coupé. Pricey then.

brightspark · Sep 17, 2020

awemawson said:
Odd though that although as said polycarbonate is used for riot shields, if you clean it with IPA (NOT the beer!) it will crack all over the place

thought it was lexan they used

KemppiFrog · Sep 17, 2020

brightspark said:
thought it was lexan they used

EEERM... Lexan is a US trade name for polycarbonate..

123hotchef · Sep 17, 2020

weld some sheet steel over it say its for securits do the other side and sell that for big £££££££££££3 and also do the rear and sell that for £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££3

123hotchef · Sep 17, 2020

brightspark said:
thought it was lexan they used

may as well make them from chocolate now! white, dark and milk of and caramac

Which perspex type material to bodge a car window?

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