Bodywork, Paint, Interior, Trim, & Wiring

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djw090
David Witham
Warwick UK
(115 posts)

Registered:
06/12/2008 11:20AM

Main British Car:
MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005

Polycarbonate windows in hardtop
Posted by: djw090
Date: October 21, 2010 08:25AM

Currently I have a hardtop for my MGB that has glass side and rear windows. I use the car in sprinting the rules do not restrict what I do to the hardtop. My plan is to replace the glass windows with ones that I will make from polycarbonate (perhaps lexan to some of you). The windows will be glued in useing a PU type sealant but I may use some screws as well. The question in my mind is what thickness to use. I have an offcut of 3mm polycarbonate that is big enough to do the 2 small side windows. So my main concern is the rear window. I want to keep the weight down but it needs to be stiff enough not to act like Rolf Harris's wobble board. So anyone know what thickness to go for?


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Polycarbonate windows in hardtop
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 21, 2010 09:23AM

My Parish Plastics hard top uses 1/8" Lexan for the wraparound rear window.

JB


djw090
David Witham
Warwick UK
(115 posts)

Registered:
06/12/2008 11:20AM

Main British Car:
MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005

Re: Polycarbonate windows in hardtop
Posted by: djw090
Date: October 21, 2010 10:46AM

Thanks Jim.
From the pictures I have seen of the Parish hardtop the back window has alot more curve to it than mine. While my hardtop is not a works one the back window is very similar.


WedgeWorks1
Mike Perkins
Ellicott City, Maryland
(460 posts)

Registered:
07/06/2008 08:07AM

Main British Car:
1980 Triumph TR8 3.5 Litre Rover V8

authors avatar
Re: Polycarbonate windows in hardtop
Posted by: WedgeWorks1
Date: October 21, 2010 04:43PM

I know many racers here in the states with a lexan rear window will put aluminum strips to keep them from coming out and make them rigid. Sometimes the strips are required.
http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af242/wedgeworks/Group%2044/HPIM0584.jpg


tr8todd
Todd Kishbach

(390 posts)

Registered:
12/04/2009 07:42AM

Main British Car:


Re: Polycarbonate windows in hardtop
Posted by: tr8todd
Date: November 07, 2010 08:10PM

SCCA rules dictate a 6mm front screen and 3mm for sides and rear screens. From personal experience, 3mm will buffet in the wind unless you brace with 3/4" X 1/8" aluminum straps. If you plan on using a preformed gasket that secures the glass, I would suggest using lexan the same thickness as the original glass. You can form the lexan by gently heating it and securing it to the glass window with spring clamps. Takes patience to slowly heat it to 300 or so degrees.
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