User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Fitting Plastic Windows

  1. #1
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Fitting Plastic Windows

    JP's recent thread on lightweight panels has me thinking about plastic windows.

    When fitting these how are they held in place? The rear and rear quarters are presumably thick enough that the rubbers hold them the same as the glass. What about the 2 piece doors? The little quarter would be held by the rubber but how is the main section held in? Does it just push up into the frame then have some sort of clip fashioned to hold the underside and stop it sliding down?

    How is a 1 piece door plastic held in?

    Anybody know the actual weight saving including removing the winder mechanism?
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  2. #2
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    IF you use 7mm thick plastic, then the oe rubbers will hold it all in place quite nicely, for uk motorsport you need a minimum thickness of 4mm, so that what most use, either bonded or screwed into place,

    i have never weighed the weight saving, but its considerable, the perspex alone in 4mm thick will be around a third to a quarter of the weight of glass, and thats without any other weight saving. last plastic windows i fitted i used plastic number plate screws to attach them, they are cheap, weigh virtually nothing and dont rust

  3. #3
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    IF you use 7mm thick plastic, then the oe rubbers will hold it all in place quite nicely, for uk motorsport you need a minimum thickness of 4mm, so that what most use, either bonded or screwed into place,

    i have never weighed the weight saving, but its considerable, the perspex alone in 4mm thick will be around a third to a quarter of the weight of glass, and thats without any other weight saving. last plastic windows i fitted i used plastic number plate screws to attach them, they are cheap, weigh virtually nothing and dont rust

  4. #4
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    I don't really want the screwed or bonded in place look. Could glue a 3mm strip around the edge to make 4mm plastic up to the 7mm. It is a costly exercise to get them shipped to Australia but maybe I will consider.

    If Race Plastics are reading this then lets talk!
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  5. #5
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    you could make the windows yourself, i have numerous times

  6. #6
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    The OE rubbers hold my 4mm thick Lexan windows in place fine, i used a pre-formed rear screen, one piece door windows held in place by a fabricated bracket inside the door, the 4mm panes hold in ok in the standard door channel seals, the rear side windows fitted fine with the stadard seals also. Im pretty sure the Ford glass isnt far off 4mm thick.

  7. #7
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    Erik, do you have any pics of your fabricated bracket? I have thought of several methods but always open to suggestions.
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  8. #8
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Fitting Plastic Windows

    Not with me, if have to take the door trim off, it's nothing fancy, just a couple of bits of bent aluminium pop riveted

+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts