Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

State Divisions => South Australia => Topic started by: BradGTV on September 01, 2011, 08:37:49 PM

Title: perspex
Post by: BradGTV on September 01, 2011, 08:37:49 PM
anyone know where can i buy perspex to replace the glass windows in my track car?
cheers, brad
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: John A Pucak on September 01, 2011, 08:51:16 PM
I think Lexcan is the better bet!!
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: BradGTV on September 01, 2011, 09:14:21 PM
any reason why? not sure of the differnce between the 2 products
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: Rob Berson on September 01, 2011, 09:44:17 PM
As far as I understand, perspex is acrylic which is brittle and can shatter and I am sure not allowed on a race car.
Lexan or polycarbonate is pretty much shatterproof.

Rob
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: alfa duk on September 01, 2011, 09:46:35 PM
 Perspex is not permitted in race cars as in an impact it will shatter creating sharp edges, same as float glass, lexan is shatterproof and will bend rather than break. You would be mad to use perspex.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: BradGTV on September 01, 2011, 11:44:05 PM
thanks guys, ** anyone know where to get lexan from?
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: dehne on September 02, 2011, 01:28:04 AM
i was pretty sure that you could use perspex but only for the side and rear windows the front had to stay glass or lexan
you can get either product from a plastic place like plasweld some good hardware shops can also get it or try a building suplies place like homehardware that could get it in for you
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: MD on September 02, 2011, 06:50:23 AM
Brad.

In Brisbane, all sorts of "plastic" sheeting in all kinds of thickness can be purchased from plastics wholesalers supplying the sign making industries, shop fitters etc. The sheets usually come in 1200x2400mm size which you would cut out to fit into the car by making cardboard templates first.

You should have such outlets in your state.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: BradGTV on September 02, 2011, 06:58:18 AM
thanks again guys, ill look around,
regarding windscreen, i planned to keep it glass, or is lexan good enough to replace it?
cheers, Brad
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: Neil Choi on September 02, 2011, 08:02:39 AM
Lexan as a front screen will scratch up pretty quickly.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: alfagtv58 on September 02, 2011, 09:17:15 AM
Quote from: dehne on September 02, 2011, 01:28:04 AM
i was pretty sure that you could use perspex but only for the side and rear windows the front had to stay glass or lexan

***facepalm***

Dehne, 3 people have told you that perspex is not a good idea, and some have even given you good reasons why (ie SAFETY!) and you still want to tell everyone its ok!  Any acrylic is not a good idea (and expressly forbidden by CAMS) and perspex is an acrylic.  Use a polycarbonate, which Lexan is.  Apart from the shatter thing already mentioned, Polycarbonate has a higher melting point too which can be the difference in a fire between you being horribly disfigured and getting out just in time.
Usually side and rear only and front has to be glass....well that is Group S, I dont pretend to know all the category rules, Lexan windscreen is possibly allowed in Sports Sedans?  But like Neil said, it will probably scratch up pretty quick.

EDIT - I just re-read that and I sound very grumpy, dont mean to be, I just think its important to try and clear up matters of safety.....

Brad, I have a contact in Victoria, but I think you are in NSW.  Let me know if you want the details.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: MD on September 02, 2011, 09:41:12 AM
Brad , sorry. I omitted to say that a polycarbonate "plastic" should be your choice. I am sure someone in your local club would know of an SA source.

For a front windscreen, I think the minimum polycarbonate thickness is around 5-6mm but it will develop "wiper tracks" and other scratches from cleaning. Not my choice. Getting the curvatures right for the fit may also be a headache.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: BradGTV on September 02, 2011, 09:42:48 AM
thanks for clearing that up. Glass up front it is. And the sides and rear ill do in lexen. Im in sa, but will ask a couple people in the know whey they go theirs from.
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: alfa duk on September 02, 2011, 07:25:15 PM
 The next question you will have is what thickness. Now being a track car weight is the issue and polycarbonate the same thickness is only slightly lighter than the glass that your replacing 6mm?, go for the 3 or 4mm. Another point worth pointing out is that it is a pain winding the windows back up as with glass it is curved and goes where it should. And Phil, your grumpyness is only related to your lack of sleep, not your fault. Doug
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: Storm_X on September 03, 2011, 10:08:56 AM
im in the same boat ,but with my Giulietta
Title: Re: perspex
Post by: ARQ164 Shane on September 03, 2011, 07:50:23 PM
hey guys try; Julie at cartorque, Kent town ph 8362 7667