Make your own polycarbonate windows! (Lexan windows)

Рет қаралды 42,614

BlakeBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

How to make windows for your racecar from scratch.

Пікірлер: 83

@AmericanThunder 2 жыл бұрын

I always put down a layer or two of masking tape along the cut lines to help avoid scratches, with jig saw, the tape is mandatory. p.s. Painting the inside of the edges like that is very similar to painting the poly bodies for RC cars. Fun stuff.

@nolimitracing9752 2 жыл бұрын

Diamond cut off wheel works great for cutting lexan with a grinder

@theplasticfork419 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making that, helped a lot, what a sick vid 👍

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad I could help!

@realgenericuser9169 8 ай бұрын

Great video.

@erichpizer1 Жыл бұрын

s stone cutting disk works greal for poly carb and acrylic

@CorvetteTrev 2 жыл бұрын

I used vinyl wrap. I'm really just trying to find the best sealant, no screws. 3M window weld failed.

@svoncampe 2 жыл бұрын

Very impressive. I'm looking to save weight in my track-dedicated 350Z and windows is one big area. You have helped me in my search for options/solutions as I continue to ponder how to go about it. I'll likely start with just the door windows, gutting the doors down to a shell and using some sort of polycarbonate to replace the glass - whether I cut it myself as you did or order it just requiring installation. Thanks.

@azimpetra 2 жыл бұрын

try on your scrap lexan, score a line with the razor, then heat it up.. if it's fine, then should be okay for the rear window.

@fatb0i33 3 жыл бұрын

Looks pro 👌 I love these tutorial style videos

@BlakeBuildsATL 3 жыл бұрын

I like making them, so many things can be DIY’d to save money when your building a race car!

@FirstLast-tx3yj 2 жыл бұрын

@@BlakeBuildsATL does it have any disadvantages if I want to use it on my street car?? For windshield and windows

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

@@FirstLast-tx3yj ya, I would never do a lexan windshield on a street car. Lexan scratches Easy, and needs to be polished periodically. And when it’s scratched, the light refracts like crazy, so diving around at night with a lexan windshield can be dangerous. It’s also difficult to get it to be waterproof, because it expands a lot in the sun. Lastly, it makes the inside of your car louder.

@FirstLast-tx3yj 2 жыл бұрын

@@BlakeBuildsATL this is gold knowledge... i have never considered the things you mentioned. Thank you for being clear and specific

@RicardoAnzolaMusic 2 жыл бұрын

Uff, great content!

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@glassdave 3 ай бұрын

I actually cut a fair amount of Lexan and acrylic for boats i work on. I'm sure its been mentioned here but a better way to cut it is with a small three or four inch compact circular saw like the ones used to cut trim. Its always better to use some sort of toothed blade saw rather then anything abrasive. This is still a great alternative to getting a poly windscreen and a lot easier then many people think. Nice work! Enjoy!

@BlakeBuildsATL 3 ай бұрын

Sounds like great advice! Thanks. If I did this more that once every couple years, I would totally get a little circular saw

@briizcustoms9543 Ай бұрын

Do you recommends doing this on an everyday drive car? I can’t afford to go to a shop and pay $400

@srt8powertv 7 ай бұрын

Good video

@innerspace56 2 күн бұрын

Eye injuries for young fans of this channel INCOMING.

@ericericeric2825 2 жыл бұрын

Throat less shears at HF cut this stuff nicely.

@eliotellison7176 Ай бұрын

💪Saluteeee I need a windshield and driver window on a bmw 325i convertible at a low price and came across your video, will I be ok doing the steps you did for a daily driving vehicle?

@BlakeBuildsATL Ай бұрын

I don’t recommend this for a daily. Lexan scratches easily and it’s really hard to waterproof. This is a race only car

@briizcustoms9543 7 ай бұрын

Please tell me how did you get it to curve into the shape of the original glass? The store that you got it from doesn’t exist here, where can I buy it? Lowe’s, Home Depot etc?

@BlakeBuildsATL 7 ай бұрын

I think you can get it at Lowe’s or Home Depot, but it’s a lot more expensive….maybe twice what I paid. To curve it I start bolting it down in the middle, and work my way out…it curves as you go. Remember, this is for a race car.

@briizcustoms9543 7 ай бұрын

@@BlakeBuildsATL Are you saying it can not be used on a regular car? I’m going towards Plexiglas vs polycarbonate. What do you think of Plexi?

@BlakeBuildsATL 7 ай бұрын

@@briizcustoms9543 it’s not ideal for a street car. It scratches much easier than glass, and needs to be polished every year or so. It’s also really hard to waterproof the seam. Iirc Plexiglass is just a brand of polycarbonate. Just don’t use anything that shatters ( like acrylic )

@briizcustoms9543 Ай бұрын

@@BlakeBuildsATLHow has it been holding up? I’ve still not installed mine

@darkmauveshore 6 ай бұрын

Very interesting video! I love lexan and think all windows should be made out of it. So I'm guessing typical windshield urethane doesn't stick to lexan?

@BlakeBuildsATL 6 ай бұрын

I don’t think so, if you paint the edge like I did, the urethane will stick to the paint, but it’ll peel off the window and look like crap. If you sand it it may work, but I don’t think it will

@angeldejesus65 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice. Been wanted to do my car roof with smoked polycarbonate but the bending/rippling is my concern.

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

A roof may be pretty tough without thermoforming. Mostly because the edges will have to have some sort of lip for the windshields and mouldings

@mattlawton4715 Жыл бұрын

@@BlakeBuildsATL does it scratch like if you were to use window wipers.

@eliotellison7176 Ай бұрын

@@mattlawton4715 I'm thinking that same question?

@gusplymale1797 Жыл бұрын

Athens, Ga.. represent!

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

I’m up in Marietta

@urieldeveaud 2 жыл бұрын

hi, can you suggest the type of cutting disc for the angle grinder to use for polycarbonate between 1 and 3mm ? please... thx

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

I just use a metal cutting disc, thinner the better, I use a 1/16”, which is 1.58mm

@xyzebruh1083 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, suggestion to use frog tape to cut the masking tape and not a razor blade

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

That’s a good idea!!

@kennethking8827 Жыл бұрын

What material did you use for the center brace bar?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

Aluminum. If you’re racing there thickness/size will be in the rulebook.

@NotZakAlexander 2 жыл бұрын

What thickness would you use for a rear windshield?

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

Iirc it’s 1/8 in, but I followed the FD rule book, so check the rules your using.

@svoncampe Жыл бұрын

What do you do when it rains? Can you use windshield wipers, or Rain-X, or?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

I use the wipers, but if you used them when it’s too dry they’ll scratch the lexan, so I only use them in hard rains.

@larrypruitt3919 Жыл бұрын

Did you seal it so water can’t come in? Or just don’t drive in the rain?

@user-sr7os2er3j 8 ай бұрын

Where do I buy these sheets

@BlakeBuildsATL 8 ай бұрын

I got mine from professional plastics in Austell, GA

@ra8620 2 жыл бұрын

I am at Atlanta

@mmorgenstern007 3 жыл бұрын

dude i had no idea you had a youtube channel! car is looking sick! hope all has been well!

@BlakeBuildsATL 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks brotha🙏 make sure you subscribe! Been doing this for over a year!

@TheDreanders Жыл бұрын

Does polycarbonate window not electrify? Doesn't dust stick? Wouldn't it be difficult to clean?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

Polycarbonate is not conductive. Dust doesn’t stick any more than glass would. You do have to be careful cleaning it because some chemicals can etch it cause it to haze.

@A2ZREY Жыл бұрын

Where could I buy it for a cheap price wanna do all the windows on my rsx thanks 🙏

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

I usually pay around ~$100 for a 4x8 sheet at professional plastics in GA. I pick it up will call

@BabiL86 Жыл бұрын

How bout the rainy day any idea glue ?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

3m window weld

@motofalcons Ай бұрын

What is the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet ?

@BlakeBuildsATL Ай бұрын

Depends on the rules. FD is 3/16 windshield and 1/8 side and rear

@80caligirl Жыл бұрын

Where did you get the sheet?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

Professional plastics in austell, ga

@1LETrackPerformance Жыл бұрын

How much did the sheet cost?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

~$100 iirc

@iowanation1034 Жыл бұрын

I must have missed one of the steps. I was driving about 65 when the glass blew into my face.

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

Uh, maybe the step where you attach it to the car?

@johnfitbyfaithnet Жыл бұрын

Will it pass inspection?

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

Emissions inspection? No problem! State safety inspection? I doubt it.

@Yogenh Жыл бұрын

Why would you use lexan for a windshield it will scratch easily. so the wipers will scratch it all up!!!

@BlakeBuildsATL Жыл бұрын

I do have to polish it every year. But, a sheet of lexan is $100, glass is $300+, it’s lighter, also doesn’t shatter in an accident.

@deleted....2000 11 ай бұрын

How much weight u save

@BlakeBuildsATL 11 ай бұрын

No idea, I didn’t weigh the stock windows or the lexan ones. Lexan is significantly lighter though

@H00K-KING 2 жыл бұрын

Is this stuff water and fog resistant?

@BlakeBuildsATL 2 жыл бұрын

No, but you can coat it yourself or rub a bit of dish soap on it. I don’t have an issue, but I don’t have side windows so there’s always airflow over it