perspex

[BradGTV]

anyone know where can i buy perspex to replace the glass windows in my track car?
cheers, brad

[John A Pucak]

I think Lexcan is the better bet!!

[BradGTV]

any reason why? not sure of the differnce between the 2 products

[Rob Berson]

As far as I understand, perspex is acrylic which is brittle and can shatter and I am sure not allowed on a race car.
Lexan or polycarbonate is pretty much shatterproof.

Rob

[alfa duk]

 Perspex is not permitted in race cars as in an impact it will shatter creating sharp edges, same as float glass, lexan is shatterproof and will bend rather than break. You would be mad to use perspex.

[BradGTV]

thanks guys, ** anyone know where to get lexan from?

[dehne]

i was pretty sure that you could use perspex but only for the side and rear windows the front had to stay glass or lexan
you can get either product from a plastic place like plasweld some good hardware shops can also get it or try a building suplies place like homehardware that could get it in for you

[MD]

Brad.

In Brisbane, all sorts of "plastic" sheeting in all kinds of thickness can be purchased from plastics wholesalers supplying the sign making industries, shop fitters etc. The sheets usually come in 1200x2400mm size which you would cut out to fit into the car by making cardboard templates first.

You should have such outlets in your state.

[BradGTV]

thanks again guys, ill look around,
regarding windscreen, i planned to keep it glass, or is lexan good enough to replace it?
cheers, Brad

[Neil Choi]

Lexan as a front screen will scratch up pretty quickly.

[alfagtv58]

i was pretty sure that you could use perspex but only for the side and rear windows the front had to stay glass or lexan

***facepalm***

Dehne, 3 people have told you that perspex is not a good idea, and some have even given you good reasons why (ie SAFETY!) and you still want to tell everyone its ok!  Any acrylic is not a good idea (and expressly forbidden by CAMS) and perspex is an acrylic.  Use a polycarbonate, which Lexan is.  Apart from the shatter thing already mentioned, Polycarbonate has a higher melting point too which can be the difference in a fire between you being horribly disfigured and getting out just in time.
Usually side and rear only and front has to be glass....well that is Group S, I dont pretend to know all the category rules, Lexan windscreen is possibly allowed in Sports Sedans?  But like Neil said, it will probably scratch up pretty quick.

EDIT - I just re-read that and I sound very grumpy, dont mean to be, I just think its important to try and clear up matters of safety.....

Brad, I have a contact in Victoria, but I think you are in NSW.  Let me know if you want the details.

[MD]

Brad , sorry. I omitted to say that a polycarbonate "plastic" should be your choice. I am sure someone in your local club would know of an SA source.

For a front windscreen, I think the minimum polycarbonate thickness is around 5-6mm but it will develop "wiper tracks" and other scratches from cleaning. Not my choice. Getting the curvatures right for the fit may also be a headache.

[BradGTV]

thanks for clearing that up. Glass up front it is. And the sides and rear ill do in lexen. Im in sa, but will ask a couple people in the know whey they go theirs from.

[alfa duk]

 The next question you will have is what thickness. Now being a track car weight is the issue and polycarbonate the same thickness is only slightly lighter than the glass that your replacing 6mm?, go for the 3 or 4mm. Another point worth pointing out is that it is a pain winding the windows back up as with glass it is curved and goes where it should. And Phil, your grumpyness is only related to your lack of sleep, not your fault. Doug

[Storm_X]

im in the same boat ,but with my Giulietta