bending pexiglass for windshield

[fastwater]

Can pexiglass be heated and bent with heat gun to make windshield on speedboat,or or would lexan be a better choice.<br />I've heard you can cold bend lexan,anyone know?<br />thanks.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: bending pexiglass for windshield

You can heat and bend plexi like that. But, a slightly better route, would be to build a hotbox for it. You build a box, about 3-4inches deep, with a hole for the heat gun to enter, and some exhaust holes on the opposite side. Then you place the plexi on top(making the top, and closing the box). This will evenly heat the plexi, and give you a smoother, more uniform bend.<br /><br />Some sort of mold will give even better results than just bending by hand.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: bending pexiglass for windshield

Gloves would be a good idea for this project. I bent a plexiglass windshield on a center console last year using a heat gun. It was a windshield I picked up at a marine salvage yard that wasn't too far off in size. I did it while it was on the boat, just heated it and bent it as I went. I like the hotbox idea, if I have to do another one, I'll probably try that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: bending pexiglass for windshield

i use lexan, and it was simple.

 

[santa666]

Re: bending pexiglass for windshield

Use hot water! Heat guns heat too fast and cool too quickly. Boil up a pail on the grill and ladle it over the part to be shaped several times. Soon your part will be flexible. <br /><br />I made a couple motorcycle fairings with 90 degree bends and complex inside to outside curves in them this way- It works. <br /><br />Wear heavy gloves inside dish washing gloves and use tongs, etc...<br /><br />For a pro look on exposed egdes use a heat gun to smooth the edge, just keep it moving...<br /><br />Make holes with a nail heated in a torch, keeps them from cracking like with a drill...

 

[Twidget]

Re: bending pexiglass for windshield

Mark42 did a windshield rebuild on his MFG. You might get some pointers there.