lexan

[dezerts10]

where can i but a sheet big enough for a rear window? is using lexan for the rear window of a truck the correct choice? i know things like plexiglass break and scratch very easily. is there something else i should be looking into for this application?

Gregg

[91yotaprerunner]

i know of 2 choices for u, u can either go to home depot, or if u dont mind a little drive, S and W plastics in riverside should have what u need, and both will cut it to size for u. my dad owns vending machines and he goes to both to get the lexan for the fronts of his machines. If u have any questions just let me know.

[Brian Mapes]

I think Plexi breaks easy but doesnt scratch easy and lexan doesnt break easy but scratches easy. I had some plexi cut at a regular glass place about 4 months ago. I got 1/4 inch thick and it wasnt very expensive and i had it custom cut too. They had huge 4 x 8 foot sheets there so call your local glass places, Im sure they could help you out. I have heard of a lexan that has a special coating on it so it doesnt scratch though. Maybe someone else knows more about what I am talking about on the scratch resistant coating.

[91yotaprerunner]

yes lexan is VERY hard to break, thats why my dad uses it on the front of his machines, to keep the stupid people from getting into them. I believe light force lights uses a lexan cover for their lights, it would seem to me that they would want to use something that is strong, but also isnt gonna scratch easy, all i know is i saw the guy punch the light cover as hard as he could, and it did nothing. so maybe they would have info about some lexan having a scratch resistant coating.

[KitRacer]

I used to use the lexan for golf cart windshields on the ball picker upper carts. Those things could take a line drive from a nine iron and just shake it off and keep going. For the street legal golf carts we made we used that special coated lexan. The coating allowed us to run windshield wipers on it all day long and not leave any scratches. I would advise against regular lexan for an off road truck because of how easily it scratches. If you do go that route though, use pledge furniture wax to clean it. We used to buy or lexan from this company

MGM Plastics Inc
www.mgmplastics.com (http://www.mgmplastics.com)
235 Bingham Dr San Marcos
760-744-8909

[dezerts10]

so what is this special coating? if i tell the company im using it as a window in a truck will they know about this coating?

Gregg

[KitRacer]

yes they will know what you are talking about because they suggested it to us. I think it is some kind of acrylic or something. you cant really see the difference, it just keeps it from scratching. You can also order it in all different tints, so that might be an idea too. Or if the coating is too expensive you may be able to tint both sides of a regular piece of lexan.

[Brian Mapes]

Maybe not tint, but I have seen the bottom of some trucks lined with some clear sticker type stuff to prevent rocks chipping the paint, If the coating is too much maybe look into the clear sticker stuff for protection. Anyone know what I am talking about?

[ntsqd]

Yes, I know what you are talking aboot and no, it won't work. It is not optically clear enough to see thru. Would look like windsheild in the rain w/o wipers or Rain-X.

BTW, 'Lexan' and 'plexiglas' are the same thing. They are both polycarbonate. Arcylic is not, don't use it for windows.

[hoeker]

i just did a google on this, kmac plastics says plexiglas is acrylic and lexan is polycarbonate. lexan and plexiglass are trade names and may or may not be available at you local hardware store. acrylic is much more scratch resistant than polycarb, but also more brittle. this could make it a good choice for a rear window, but horrible for the front. polycarb with the anti-scratch coating is incredible for the front, i've seen a vendor for this at thr PRI show the last several years, they make many stock replacement windshields for racecars and trucks. kmac plasitcs also advertises anti-scratch polycarb sheet right on their website. i would think these polycarb windshields would be a great choice for those of you racing the street legal classes

[billymanfroy]

Plexiglas plain SUCKS for windows. Period! It is WAY too brittle and splinters like a sheet of ice everytime you try to do anything to it (including driling or cutting it). We were required to run a back window in USHRA Pro Arena and went the cheap route with plexiglas. Lexan is much more expensive but also much easier to work with. As for the scratching part, I have no good way around that.

Good luck!

Billy

[KitRacer]

The best way to work with the stuff is to cut it with a skill saw with a piece of tape over the cut. When it comes to drilling use a step drill with light presure and let it melt its way through. Then use rubber gromets on everything

[drtdevil93]

ya, lexan is some tough stuff. i know there was a shortage for a while because the gov. was buying it all up, supposedly for windows on federal buildings, since it is able to stop a bullet. just repeating what i was told though...

erik