Making side windows out of lexan?

[rustybucket]

So far, no luck finding some one in the Tacoma area who had a small side window. I had my truck broken into for the second time in Surrey and well, small window was smashed. I am looking for a cheap substitute and though of some kind of lexan window would work? any ideas and thoughts on this?

Abrasion Resistant Plexiglass AR acrylic sheets resist scratches and scuffing

 

[cruisermatt]

I've done it for race cars, as long as it's not one of the winding windows it comes out good. The nice thing about 60 glass is its all flat and not curved. Go for it.

 

[MANUCHAO]

The rear cargo windows are not flat.
Adding Lexan to the mix will only get you one of the bigger windows smashed into pieces..
Either, park else where, leave doors unlocked, get an alarm, or move...

I had my lil honda broken into 5 times back when i I lived in TO.
I ended up selling it and getting a Tacoma truck..
Life sucks that way some times..

Good luck.

 

[rustybucket]

I did move. Went from a rich neighboorhood to a poor one so far no one messing with my truck.

 

[cruisermatt]

The rear cargo windows are not flat.
Adding Lexan to the mix will only get you one of the bigger windows smashed into pieces..
Either, park else where, leave doors unlocked, get an alarm, or move...

I had my lil honda broken into 5 times back when i I lived in TO.
I ended up selling it and getting a Tacoma truck..
Life sucks that way some times..

Good luck.

I don't think he's looking for bulletproof glass, I think he's looking for cheap glass.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Former plastic engineer here. Just to nerd out a bit...

Acrylic (trade name Plexiglas) is somewhat brittle and is typically what tail light lenses are made out of. It is resistant to UV damage. Easily broken unintentionally or otherwise.

Polycarbonate (trade name Lexan) is extremely shatterproof. It is what is used for safety glasses. It's also the only plastic permitted for headlamp lenses. It is not resistant to UV light and usually has a clear coat paint on it if it's meant to be outside. Any plastic headlamp lens has clear paint on it to start, but even this succumbs to sunlight over time which is why every plastic headlamp yellows over time.

Both will work I guess. The acrylic definitely cheaper and more UV resistance. Polycarbonate with a clearcoat would be best but really expensive I bet. I would try hardware store acrylic first and see how it goes. Carmakers have not switched plastic side windows yet for a reason - there's no perfect solution.

Eric