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Registered Loser
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 2,392
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Where can I get raw lexan?
I have a pair of spare rear quarter windows for a 911 and I am thinking of making a mold (using some ultracal30 mold making cement I have in my basement) to fashion lexan replacements. I figure I'll apply some Amourguard (sp?) adhesive clear plastic sheet to the outsides to prevent scratching. I have a good heat gun and can also try using my oven if I need something bigger for the melting/forming process.
Anyway, while this might be a fun winter project, I am wondering where I should go to buy high quality lexan at a good price. So where do yo crazy DIY folks go when fabbing windows and such? Also, I am wondering what thickness stock I should buy. My windows appear to be either 5/32" or 4 mil depending on whether you are metric or standard. Is this the correct thickness or should I go thinner for lexan? I am hoping to use my OEM rubber seals so I am hesistant to vary from the stock thickness. Any advice?
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Owner of a wrecked 944 |
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11-13-2005, 09:32 AM
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Automotive Monomaniac
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There is a company local to me called American Plastics. They sell Lexan in various thicknesses, and they will cut the sheets to size. I don't know is this is what you are looking for.
I'd try the Yellow Pages, look under "Plastics" and someone will be able to steer you correctly...
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2018 - Porsche 911 Carrera 7MT / 2018 - Porsche Macan 7DCT / 1993 - Cadillac Allante / 2023 - RAM TRX (on order) |
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11-13-2005, 09:57 AM
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Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
Posts: 3,892
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Any sign shop/display company will sell you some lexan.
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87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
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11-13-2005, 10:00 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Summerville, SC
Posts: 2,057
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Most glass companies can order it for you. You'll probably want to shop around; I've found some that want to mark it up quite a bit.
Have you tried an on-line search too? It could be good for price comparison. |
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11-13-2005, 10:40 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Reno, NV
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Hey Janus,
I have a friend that owns a sign shop. When I get home from Germany I'll give you a call. Todd
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11-13-2005, 11:35 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Camarillo, Ca.
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Janus, Take care when using the heat gun. Polycarbonate has a very narrow working temp. Any local plastic fabricator that stocks plastic will have what you are looking for.If no one is local try McMaster-Carr online.
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Aaron.  F.S. 1965 Solex engine w carbs/cleanerBurnham Performance https://www.instagram.com/burnhamperformance/ |
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11-13-2005, 11:46 AM
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MAGA
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 10,769
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Look in the phone book, you will probably find a few plastic suppliers. Keep in mind, plexiglass (acrylic) is cheaper and is more scratch resistant than lexan (which will show scatching after a couple of washes).
Plexiglass will break though while Lexan typically will not. I have made aircraft windows out of both. FWIW, most general aviation windshields are formed from plexiglas. Plexiglas can be purchased from home depot type stores.
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German autos: '79 911 SC, '87 951, '03 330i, '08 Cayenne, '13 Cayenne 0% Liberal Men do not quit playing because they get old.... They get old because they quit playing. |
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11-13-2005, 12:34 PM
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Automotive Monomaniac
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Quote:
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2018 - Porsche 911 Carrera 7MT / 2018 - Porsche Macan 7DCT / 1993 - Cadillac Allante / 2023 - RAM TRX (on order) |
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11-13-2005, 12:45 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,631
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you guys are looking for lexan or ge;'s equivalent, you also want the mar resistant stuff thats the same thickness as a window, plexi glass sucks, Kevin
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11-13-2005, 01:18 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,322
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Janus, I made my windows with sheet from Home Depot.
 
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11-13-2005, 01:46 PM
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Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
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Plexi-glas is a little more malleable than lexan and can be polished to remove imperfections/scratches. Race car glass should always be lexan as it has a much higher tolerance to strikes. Police cruisers use lexan for the front to rear seat dividers because depending on the thickness, it can be bullet proof.
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87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
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11-13-2005, 03:06 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Langley,B.C.
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Okay Jorian, wanna make some windows this winter with me....? Don't sell the shop yet!
Cheers
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11-13-2005, 04:19 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: AZ
Posts: 8,414
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a few Mass. area polycarb & plexi distributors:
Sheffield Plastics - 800.254.1707 Modern Plastics - 800.243.9696 J. Freeman Inc. - 800.841.9442 Patriot Plastics - 800.229.0035
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11-13-2005, 05:33 PM
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Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
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Jeff,
Not sure I like how much faster your car is getting to be...
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87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
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11-13-2005, 07:24 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: STX
Posts: 247
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Janus,
Home Depot right by Greendale sells it, there is also Plastics Unlimited on Millbrook st. (and they sell everything imaginable). GE may still have a sales office in Holden but I haven't been there in 5+ years. Last edited by JasonAndreas; 11-13-2005 at 11:43 PM.. |
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11-13-2005, 11:40 PM
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MAGA
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 10,769
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Quote:
So what? For rear side glass, I would go with plexi as it is cheaper and more scratch resistant. If it breaks in a roll over, who cares? As I stated before most general aviation windshields (Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee ETC ETC) are plexiglass even though a bird strike can and does happen occasionally at 120 mph. I guess if I had a choice, I would rather have Lexan in front of me if I had a rock or something being thrown up from the car in front of me. What is behind me though, does not matter.  
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German autos: '79 911 SC, '87 951, '03 330i, '08 Cayenne, '13 Cayenne 0% Liberal Men do not quit playing because they get old.... They get old because they quit playing. |
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11-14-2005, 05:11 AM
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Wider is Better
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If you heat Lexan to mold it, be careful not to overheat it. If overheated, it will form small bubbles inside the plastic that will weaken it, so it it better to take your time and heat slowly (esp. with a heat gun) and not try to shape it in a hurry.
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Wider is Better |
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11-14-2005, 07:03 AM
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Posts: 20,958
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Plexiglass also breaks into sharp edges like glass shards.
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The truth is that while those on the left - particularly the far left - claim to be tolerant and welcoming of diversity, in reality many are quite intolerant of anyone not embracing their radical views. - Charlie Kirk |
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11-14-2005, 07:26 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Scituate, MA
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Hey Janus,
Let me know what happens. I might be game to do the same thing. Just curious what the end expense is. I am thinking the Lexan is inexpensive but the new seals will add up. Thanks, David |
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11-14-2005, 07:39 AM
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Registered Loser
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 2,392
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Wow, Shaun, that is impressive. I'll take JasonAndreas' advice and get some at Home Depot. Shaun, did you form the lexan windows using heat or did you bend it some other way? And what thickness did you use? In order to keep the original seals, I am thinking of staying with the stock thickness which may limit the weight savings (but not the sheer COOLNESS factor
). Oh yeah, one more question: What did you use to cut it?And Dave, don't worry, if I pull this off you'll definitely see the results...
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Owner of a wrecked 944 |
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11-14-2005, 08:21 AM
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Porsche 911
FatBoy
Old Blue
