Lets talk Lexan windshields and rear "glass"?

[Cobra4B]

The windshields in these cars are '94-'98 Mustang GTs correct? Where are you guys getting your lexan?

What thickness, andything else I need to know?

Anyone put a new rear one in your car? Mines pretty cloudy... anyone pull theirs out and hit it with some plastic buffing compound? If so, did it work?

If you've replaced it how much is it? Is it a custom piece from Panoz?

[panozracing]

i have polished my lexan windshield many times. u need a power buffer or flitz ball (thats what I used).

the rear window is on my list to polish. it should work great.

I had copied this from the forum and had it in my notes from others posts:

WINDSHIELDS


- I've used Shields for Lexan Windshields in the past. 1/4" coated is about $430. Not sure how their pricing compares but, I was satisfied with the product and the customer service was great.

http://www.racingshields.com/index_f...carpricing.htm

- http://www.percyshp.com/Reductionsale.htm

[Cobra4B]

Did you have to use a specific polish for the "supercoat" coating? Or do you just use plastic polish?

I'll give them a call on Monday... it'd be nice to drop a few pounds and not have to worry about cracking the glass anymore.

[Panoz Paul]

I gave up on glass last year after spliting 3 or 4 windshields ... Speed Glass accidently sent me ( Archer Racing ) a 3/16" and was installed w/ a center brace ... At 130 mph it would " pop in " on each side of the brace ; each side about two seconds apart & it would change the aero of the car that you would feel & correct it in the wheel !!! Thats not all ; at pop-in it would " flash light & distort " not a good thing going into corner 1 @ BIR / 130 mph ... Went to a 1/4 " same center brace ; I get a suttle bow / flex in ; OK ... solution ; two braces , but the GT-Ra's do not have hard points off center line ... Hope this helps ...

Paul M. Winship / Chassis #37

[PanozDuke]

To reindorce much of what has been posted here and add some additional info on the windshield support and cowling issues, here is a quote from the Panoz Tribal Wisdom doc:

"Go with a 1/4" and a center brace. Net Result : Lost 30 pounds ; no more lost track time from cracking glass ; won't let anyone else clean my windshield ...Speed-Glass has them ; approx. $550.00 ... they come over sized & need to be trimmed all four sides ; trace the old one ... then mask off the areas to be blackened out ; scuff w/ scotch pad & paint ... Archers used a paint that was like a thin rubber when dry ... They are coated for additional scratch resistance , but leave the film on through the install process and then adjust to the fact that your not going to have the perfect clarity of glass. Also Summit Racing is a source.
Percy’s has blems that are 60% off that are fine for our cars. I would suggest you purchase a blank for the rear at the same time to save on the frt. cost. Remember the windshields are 2" over sized and need to be trimmed and 18 tooth jig saw and belt sander work excellently.
You have installed a support diaphragm inside the base of the windscreen. Did you do that or is that a factory fit for GTS's? Reason I ask is that my laminated [glass] screen caved in at speed at my last test session. Just before it caved in I noticed that it was flexing inwards along the base. I have now gone to Lexan screen with chromoly centre support and have filled the cavity at the base of the screen with expanding foam (the type that goes hard within an hour or two).

Interested to hear if you did fit the diaphragm and if it was for similar reasons. There are a number of guys powering up their cars now and this is an area that is worth modifying for safety reasons at the higher speeds their cars will be capable of.
We bought both cars used and one has it and one doesn’t. I am not sure if that is factory or the previous owner did it. It definitely helps and I would highly recommend it. We had major issues with the car without the brace when we ran at Daytona and the entire front of the cowling has tons of cracks in it. The cracks are in the plastic and that is the entire roof which is not cheap.
GTWC's have 3 stand off supports at the base of the windshield I assume to prevent that.
Polishing Lexan
Used the headlight cleaner in the silver pouch from Advance Auto Parts. www.bestheadlightcleaner.com/ I had used it before on the headlights of a Grand Cherokee and was impressed. The kit is overpriced at $20 - but it worked. The window is back to transparent. The kit is two wet sand grits (guessing about 1600 and 2500), a polishing compound and the only item I am not sure what to substitute and the key element in the restoration process - a wipe-on clear plastic coating - that fills and eliminates all the polishing marks."

On a side note, I couldn't get the silver pouch stuff to work as well as reported. I think I need more practice. Since it is designed to do two headlights, there isn't enough to do a windshield or even the back window. Todd Wright (coach0187) has a really nice windshield bracing set up in their Darth Panoz GTS. It has gone over 160 with no windshield issues. I am almost certain it is 1/4 inch. I am interested in knowing more about the cowling cracking issue with lexan and the way to prevent that. I still have glass (brand new this past week), but would like to switch to lexan.

Mike

[Gatorac]

You can buy the coated lexan from many different sources. It's called Marguard coating. Here's a place that you can order whatever size you want. http://www.polymerplastics.com/transparents_lexan.shtml

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...roduct_id=9948

I don't think it's important to get a "molded" windshield. It's not that much of a bend. You have to cut it anyways so why not just get a less expensive flat piece?

Also be aware that the lexan windshield will show some damage from sand, pebbles or anything else hitting it at 100mph. It is noticable on mine after only a year.

If you look at some of the GTS cars you will see a cowl support that runs along the bottom lenth of the winshield frame. I wasn't able to find this piece listed in the GTS parts book. Maybe the one I saw was custom made. It sure would help keep the cowl from distorting and may keep the windhields from breaking. I will try to find a pic showing this piece.

[Gatorac]

You can see it in this pic. The silver piece of metal with the black bulb seal on the top of it. My GTRA does not have this. The only support is the tab coming off of the wiper box in the center of the windshield.

[Cobrafang]

Is that a defroster vent in that cut out? Right behind the fan close to the windshield. Looks like it.

[boothkc]

Panoz told me a while ago the windshields were from '03-4 convertible Mustang so that what I used last time. Still cracked! I think any late model Mustang will fit.

Bruce Griggs http://griggsracing.com/ is making a fresh batch of the "hard Lexan" windshields slightly thicker. Can't remember the details or cost ($600???) but should be ready next couple of weeks.

You can clean them with steel wool and they wont scratch. Personally I use Plexus avation plexiglass cleaner and it works great for helmet face shields as well http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl....4295&CATID=177

Kevin

[Cobra4B]

Wow that cut away picture is awesome... Those center hood supports are 100x more sturdy than mine which are fab'd up sheet metal and accept a turn screw piece.

[gosborne]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Did you have to use a specific polish for the "supercoat" coating? Or do you just use plastic polish?

I'll give them a call on Monday... it'd be nice to drop a few pounds and not have to worry about cracking the glass anymore.

I was the one that origianlly posted about Shields Lexan that Brian copied. If you use theirs DO NOT use any polish on it. All you will use is a Windex type spray on window cleaner - they have a list of cleaning prodcuts that they have tested with their coated windsheilds and polishes and the like should not be used.

I raced 2 full seasons with their coated windshield and had no issues with pitting or stone chips...

[Cobra4B]

^ Do you have to trim to fit with theirs too?

As for the center reinforcements... are you guys fabricating them or can you buy them?

[gosborne]

FWIW - Not sure about the other providers but Shields offers "oversize" and stock trimmed. I didn't have time (nor patience) to trim to fit and went with stock tirmmed and it fit great. This was on a 944 race car and not the Panoz but, my experience with the stock trim sizing was very good.

[Cobra4B]

Great... thank you for the info.

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

^
As for the center reinforcements... are you guys fabricating them or can you buy them?

Brian, fabricated mine out of chrome moly.

Kel.