BDR Lexan windshield - Page 2

Gatorac · #21 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 05:35 PM

I've had 181 for over 3 years. It has an aluminum windshield frame. I've had it on the track. I've driven on some rough roads. I don't baby it. Windshield has never cracked.

I would suspect it's an alignment issue with the mounts. No?

Trueoo7 · #22 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 06:35 PM

Curious as to what difference it makes if its an aluminum frame or chrome over brass frame?

trs900 · #23 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trueoo7

Curious as to what difference it makes if its an aluminum frame or chrome over brass frame?

I think none as I own both and neither have cracked.. cross my fingers.

JUS BIT · #24 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 09:00 PM

Well, I just got back from vacation and you all have been very busy out there. Yes, I am now stocking the Lexan MR-10 for the aluminum framed windshields only. The Chrome over Brass is a different size and can be purchased through us as well.

MR-10 is the best Lexan out there. It is scratch resistant on both sides, where as others are only on one side. The Lexan that I am supplying will be cut and polished around the edges for ease of installation. Just note that Lexan is not DOT approved, but it is much stonger than glass.

Here in Houston we have had the glass shields break for one main reason, "rock chips." Any city where you have lots of traffic on the highway will eventually get you. And when a small rock hits our windshields, they almost crack immediately. This is due to the fact that they stick straight up and take a harder impact than a windshield that is more sloped.

The replacement Lexan is $350. It is the same price as the glass. I tried to get it cheaper, but the MR-10 is so very expensive. There is little to no margin in these for me. If you are interested, just PM me and I'll get you a total plus shipping and send one out. You will be responsible for installing it yourself (easy) and also any laws in your state that might be applicable.

Best of luck, James

trs900 · #25 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:02 AM

The chrome over brass would be the same price I assume ??? what is delivery time

JUS BIT · #26 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 12:39 PM

Sorry guys, after picking up the prefabbed Lexan, it came out a little higher than expected. The price for the MR-10 Lexan windshield for the aluminum framed BDR is $350 plus shipping. It is precut and the edges are finished.

The chrome over brass 'glass' windshield is $330 plus shipping.

If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Thanks, James

Jim Maxwell · #27 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 08:07 PM

I purchased a large sheet of Makrolon AR which is similar to Lexan. this product has UV coating that decreases yellowing that is typical for polycarbonate plastics. This is the product that was used (and may still be) by NASCAR when I bought it ~10 years ago after I cracked my second windshield on the track. I cut the windshield out on my bandsaw and it has worked perfectly. Go to this link for pricing info: http://k-mac-plastics.com/hyzod-poly...ate-sheet.htmg

Your local plastics distributor likely has it or can get it for you. I did have to buy a large piece (4X8 ft) so I have enough for 2 more windshields if I ever need one. This should be much cheaper than $350 each if you have the time and a band saw and someone to share the piece with.

JUS BIT · #28 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 09:11 PM

Jim, great suggestion, but you forgot a few items.

First, the comparable Acrylite that K-MAC-PLASTICS sells is called AR-2 which is scratch resistant on both sides, just like Lexan MR-10. These are the best 2 out there because they are coated on both sides. If you do not buy a coated one, then you will develop the tiny scratches all over the surface of the windshield. And that looks very bad. You really can not get the surface scratches out.

Second, the Acrylite AR-2 is $303.37 for a 4'x8' sheet that is 3/16ths thick, according to the link you sent.

Thirdly, unfortunately, the windshield is a little larger than 4'. It is roughly 50" by 17", give or take a little for the curves and bends. Which means you can only get 1 windshield for 1 4x8 sheet. That's a bummer...

The company that makes the MR-10 windshields for me gets the Lexan, then cuts it, and smooths the edge. Since the sheet costs over $300 uncut, that's a good price in my opinion. And as I stated before, there is little to no margin in it for me at all. I'm just having it done and set up because so many people were asking about it and I also needed one for my personal car.

Best of luck, James

madmaxx · #29 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 07:04 AM

JUS BIT,

I do not think anyone would have an issue with 25% mark up. It was your idea, your supplier, and you actually have a business to pay for!!!

Great info

Doug I · #30 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 07:24 AM

Out of that 25% comes the time James spends going to get the screens, mounting the frame to the screen, the frame itself.

Jim Maxwell · #31 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 08:04 AM

JUS BIT, I think your price is great. I wasn't trying to knock that. Sorry. You are correct across the board. My method from 10 years ago was because no one was making them that I knew of. I had to buy a huge sheet (it is in several pieces now) and I happened to have a bandsaw in the garage and some time on my hands, so...
If I was doing it now, it would be less expensive and a bargain to buy it from you.
Thanks.
It does seem odd that so many folks have had broken windshields with BDR's, however. Is is common in others as well? Jim

JUS BIT · #32 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the reply guys. I hope the Lexan windshields help our problem here in the big city. Those rocks are not forgiving.

I just installed a Lexan shield into my personal car last night, and you can not visually see that it is not glass. Looks great, and shatter proof!

Take care, and Doug let me know when you're ready for your BDR.

Bests, James

JUS BIT · #33 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 08:22 AM

Jim, I have found that it is just as common with other manufacturers that the windshields have broken often. It appears that there are 2 main reasons. The first being that the Cobra windshield sits straight up in the air and takes impact of even the smallest of stones. Secondly, the other reason they break is because of chasis flex. The Cobra has it's weakest link between the cockpit and dash area. This is where there is no support between the doors, only the floor pan and tranny tunnel. Most Cobra replicas have very strong chasis, including the BDR. What BDR has done is used shims to make sure that the windshield is not over flexed to begin with. They insert the shims between the posts and the frame mounts under the dash. Simple fix with a few washers as shims and presto.

Thanks for the info, James

Rwillia4 · #34 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 11:49 PM

JUS BIT-
McMaster Carr has a UV resistant/scratch proof 4x8 sheet for less, check it out 8574K135 is the part number www.mcmaster.com. It might work well for less

JUS BIT · #35 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 07:28 PM

Thanks Rwillia, I checked out Mcmaster carr and I can not tell if that sheet is scratch proof. It says its UV resistant, but nothing about the scratch resistance. Most of the sheets that I found in this price range only had the scratch resistance on 1 side only, not both.

Thanks for the insight,

James

uncltodd · #36 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 12:26 PM

Just an aside, I ran across the paperchase on #139's windscreen replacement.

We used a Finish Line replacement, (US company, Chinee mfg) only one problem...

The mounting holes for the BDR-factory wind deflectors did not match up, any of them.

Drove it without them, then threw threw bloody things away. They distracted my vision, they honestly didn't do squat, that I could tell, and they were starting to scratch a bit from cleaning with Windex and paper towels.

I'm no purist, I like the look without the stoopid wind deflectors and worthless sideview mirror, still love the symmetry of my dual roll bars and Boyd Coddington Smoothie 17" wheels.

UT