Need help making plexiglas windshield.

[robert jordan]

Anybody ever made a windshield out of plexiglas? I have a small center console fishing boat that i would like to put a simple windshield on. It will only have two 90 degree bends in it whare it will wrap around the sides of the console. I see Home Depot has two kinds of plexi. Acrylic sheet and Lexan polycarbonate. Which one should i use or is there some thing better to use. How hard is it to make the 90 degree bends? Planning to use a heat gun to warm it up to make bends. Need all the advise i can get before i atempt this. Thanks guys.

[Tom Foley]

Yellow pages or Google "Plastic Fabricators " you will be amazed at the results .:thumbsup:

[FX10 Superboats]

It's not worth the aggravation and time. Have one made. The big one for my Mako only cost 160.

[AlaskaStreamin]

A heat gun won't work. Our glass shop bends polycarbonate all the time for center consols.
He scarfs the back side of the bend with a skill saw then lays a heat tape on the seam. The end result is a nice tight corner. No need to do the scarf if you're looking for a smoother radius.

Got a friend with a pizza oven?

[robert jordan]

Thanks for the replys guys.

[skatermike24]

I made 2 for my center consoles, not hard, just time consuming, you need to make a jig have 2 heat guns on hand. Be very careful. The whole object is not to melt the plastic. When the plastic is hot enough it will move anyway you want it.

[Tom D.]

I made 2 for my center consoles, not hard, just time consuming, you need to make a jig have 2 heat guns on hand. Be very careful. The whole object is not to melt the plastic. When the plastic is hot enough it will move anyway you want it.

:iagree: Gas grill will work. Just don't over cook!:D

[robert jordan]

I made 2 for my center consoles, not hard, just time consuming, you need to make a jig have 2 heat guns on hand. Be very careful. The whole object is not to melt the plastic. When the plastic is hot enough it will move anyway you want it.
Thanks Mike, The one on the 17 is what i am trying to do.:cheers:

[skydog]

P.M. Chris Rundle on here he put some on my/his Ski-Racer a touch taller and they are black. Look real good and help the wind big time!

Skydog

[skatermike24]

I made both my shields with a heat gun, they both came out perfect. Take your time and be careful, call me if you want 321-229-3433

[chargerk1d 2]

theres a place here on longisland that makes them for almost anything and do great work if need help i know its far but im shure you could work somthing out

[robert jordan]

I made both my shields with a heat gun, they both came out perfect. Take your time and be careful, call me if you want 321-229-3433
What kind of plastic did you use? Will the stuff from Lowes and home depot work? Thanks for the advise. After reading your posts i am going to give it a try. If it works for me i will post a pic or two.

[skatermike24]

I think the clear was 1/4 Lexsan , don't know if HD carries it or not. Try a test piece first, take your time

[robert jordan]

Just got the console glassed in boat today. I plan on re gelkoteing the whole inside soon. Going to put a 60 mercury on it. Boat is only 14 feet long. I know it is not a scream and fly boat but will catch trout and red fish just fine. Will post another pic when windshield is made.:cheers:
http://i50.tinypic.com/14t3d38.jpg

[Tom Foley]

What kind of plastic did you use? Will the stuff from Lowes and home depot work? Thanks for the advise. After reading your posts i am going to give it a try. If it works for me i will post a pic or two.
<TABLE style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" class=tborder border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR title="Post 1965097" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1>Yellow pages or Google "Plastic Fabricators " you will be amazed at the results .:thumbsup: </TD></TR><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>05-05-2010 04:46 PM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>