Polycarbonate windshields

[Queefchief]

Anyone ever used a poly window like the one offered by gt-racing on a daily driver? Any positives or negatives to take into consideration?

I’m in need of a windshield for my build and not sure to just use glass or get the poly one. Will be using the stock rubber as well and will mainly be a weekend/street car.

Let me know what you guys think

[Tippy]

It'll get scratched to holy hell and visibility will go down over time.

[ADDvanced]

Don't do it. It will get scratched from literal dust.

[Cory M]

I've used a few from Shields on racecars. They don't crack like glass but I wouldn't consider it for a street car, it will get scratched up and hazy over time, you will also need to use a special cleaner when you wipe it down. Just buy glass.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Like others I would suggest glass for street use. That said if you do want poly I highly recommend Aircraft Windshield company in Anaheim, CA. Their product and craftsmanship are first rate. I use PLEXUS on all my poly windshields and helmet face shields. Does a great job of cleaning and reducing scratches. A high quality microfiber cloth, like those sold by Griots or AutoGeek, is key to keeping scratches and hazing to a minimum.

[Queefchief]

Welp that was an easy choice after all this info lol. Any good glass brands to use and or avoid? Seen some on ebay for reasonable. Not sure where else to check

[Mike Billings]

Had a perspex (plastic) windscreen on for 20 years. Track/street. Haven’t noticed any scratches or haze. Fiberglass frames. Maybe I should inspect more carefully?

[Rodsrsr]

Dont do it. Its not worth the hassle and you'll just end up removing it. If your worried about weight savings just get the thinner less expensive Chinese made glass version. The German unit is the best but thicker and heavier than the aftermarket piece. Just think of the Chinese version as poor mans RS glass.

[DHE11]

Agree not for a daily.
Im about to put a new one in my track car as it already has flush mount, then bring back to Australia. However it will cost more to ship that buy a new one so I will need to look after it.

Im looking at a five star poly windscreen.

With a brand new screen was thinking I could apply some tear offs.
Any one used the tear offs, and what brand ?

Can they be cleaned and run for a few events before needing removal ?

What is best cleaning product people have used and recommend ?

I’ll need to buy all this on next trip to LA in a few weeks hence all the questions...

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Best cleaning product is PLEXUS (developed for Aerospace and used by many of us who own motorcycles and vintage race cars). If you do get scratches there are some nice polishes available specifically for poly.

[Anglocanadian]

No one has mentioned what happens when you use the wipers !

[DHE11]

Originally Posted by Anglocanadian

No one has mentioned what happens when you use the wipers !

That’s what I want to know.
On my old track car had a glass screen I used rain X / anti fog, and barely used the wipers.
Expect wipers would be a no go on plastic unless really heavy rain, as first wipe would smear all the grit into some nice arc patterns.

Anyone running tear offs, and pro/cons?

Also any one found and used “plastic safe” products like rain X ?

I expect some damage, same as my glass screen ended up pitted from track work and in bright sunlight looked like it had more stars than the Milky Way, but with a new plastic screeen I want to try and do as much as I can to keep it in good condition.

[panzerfaust]

Originally Posted by Rodsrsr

Dont do it. Its not worth the hassle and you'll just end up removing it. If your worried about weight savings just get the thinner less expensive Chinese made glass version. The German unit is the best but thicker and heavier than the aftermarket piece. Just think of the Chinese version as poor mans RS glass.

interesting...

what brand are the chinese made windshields? how much weight are we saving over the thicker stock ones? is it comparable to the Glaverbel 4.2 mm thick RS ones?

[Rodsrsr]

Originally Posted by panzerfaust

interesting...

what brand are the chinese made windshields? how much weight are we saving over the thicker stock ones? is it comparable to the Glaverbel 4.2 mm thick RS ones?

I don't recall the brand as its been several years, but it was nothing I had to specifically ask for. In other words, most companies that offer a replacement for that car will not offer a genuine German unit. I only remember it being much lighter than the original unit that it replaced. Its held up quite nicely so far.

[panzerfaust]

ok thanks for the reply...

cheers

[TheSt|G]

Loud and easily scratch for the polycarb.

And stay away from the cheap Chinese windshields. NVH, safety, and rust proofing are all impacted by cheap windshields.

[Rodsrsr]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Loud and easily scratch for the polycarb.

And stay away from the cheap Chinese windshields. NVH, safety, and rust proofing are all impacted by cheap windshields.

Okay, so the OP was considering a Poly windshield, which means he's concerned about weight. I think the thinner Chinese version is a perfect solution over the extremely heavy German unit. I'm sure its much safer than Polycarb which people use on the track all the time. I have no idea what NVH means, just saying safety is very ambiguous, rustproofing???? not sure what you mean by rustproofing, but I've ran one for years and actually pulled it out recently for a complete re-spray and zero leaks zero rust, but if you want to spend three times as much for something that does the same job and twice the weight its all good.

[Tremelune]

What about the rear window(s)...? What kind of weight savings are we really talking about?

[ted]

I have a glass windshield and a plastic rear window.
The plastic rear window is in a fiberglass frame and is not water proof.

I tried this 2 stack tear off on my 911 glass windshield.
It was too stiff and would not lay down on the curved 911 windshield.
After my vynil guy tried for an hour to install it we ended up throwing it away.

Even if it did install it could still be scratched from the windshield wipers.

https://shop.protint.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=911

another thread about plastic windows here.
Lexan - Polycarbonate Rear Targa Glass?

[Fixer]

Acrylic windshields can be polished clear again. What do you think small aircraft owners do?