Plexiglass question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 1,185
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Plexiglass question
Several years ago I purchased a '59 that included a hardtop that needed rebuilding and a GM replacement plexiglass rear window for the hardtop. I have completely disassembled the hardtop, smoothed and polished all the stainless, and painted the top. Upon re-assembly I discovered that the GM replacement plexiglass is about 1/4" narrower than the original glass in the center of the window. The bottom edge of the window has a small concave curve to it and the curve in the replacement glass is much more pronounced than the original. When the new glass is in place the bottom edge of the plexiglass is just about even with the upper edge of the weatherstripping. The top edge and the outer edges at the bottom of the new glass seem to fit just fine.
Other than purchasing another replacement window I thought about adding a 1/4" strip of plexiglass to the bottom of the one I have. I think the joint would be covered enough by the weatherstripping so as not to be noticeable. So my questions are: Has anyone had experience with "gluing" plexiglass? What sort of adhesive should I use? Would the joint be strong enough?
Thanks,
Charles
Other than purchasing another replacement window I thought about adding a 1/4" strip of plexiglass to the bottom of the one I have. I think the joint would be covered enough by the weatherstripping so as not to be noticeable. So my questions are: Has anyone had experience with "gluing" plexiglass? What sort of adhesive should I use? Would the joint be strong enough?
Thanks,
Charles
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 8
From: Marietta GA
Rear window Install
It sounds like you have a replacement window for a 61/62 top. You won't be happy with the results of trying to glue a strip onto it. It is a messy deal to freehand like you will need to and will be a major test of patience to smooth and polish it to an acceptable level of appearance. You may best served to sell yours and buy a correct one - long shot chance to trade with someone. FWIW, Ed
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
i had the unfortunate experience of having a professionally installed replacement window pop out at the top while driving down the road (if it hadn't been for the rivets at the bottom i think the whole thing would have blown away). they flew down and came to my house to fix it, it seems all they did was to reset it at the top... i've had no problem since, but i continually hold my breath.
surely you know what a 61/62 window looks like, so i have no clue what the concave portion you are talking about is.
all i can suggest for setting the window is to see that the weatherstrip is equally engaged around the window before drilling and installing the rivets.
Bill
surely you know what a 61/62 window looks like, so i have no clue what the concave portion you are talking about is.
all i can suggest for setting the window is to see that the weatherstrip is equally engaged around the window before drilling and installing the rivets.
Bill
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 1,185
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
It sounds like you have a repla7cement window for a 61/62 top. You won't be happy with the results of trying to glue a strip onto it. It is a messy deal to freehand like you will need to and will be a major test of patience to smooth and polish it to an acceptable level of appearance. You may best served to sell yours and buy a correct one - long shot chance to trade with someone. FWIW, Ed
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Charles
was the 'extra' window previously installed? the window seems to have been installed, by the markings around the perimeter from the weatherstrip. if so, then i can only surmise that someone trimmed it to fit another top.
i wish i new for sure what the measurement for my window is....
as for a way to glue it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6Ow_cBTps
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4164900AA7yRlX
i have no clue as to the strength of these joints, BUT seeing as how it is on the bottom, and the rivets will hold the frame/'glass' togther, then it is only a filler piece...
Bill
was the 'extra' window previously installed? the window seems to have been installed, by the markings around the perimeter from the weatherstrip. if so, then i can only surmise that someone trimmed it to fit another top.
i wish i new for sure what the measurement for my window is....
as for a way to glue it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6Ow_cBTps
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4164900AA7yRlX
i have no clue as to the strength of these joints, BUT seeing as how it is on the bottom, and the rivets will hold the frame/'glass' togther, then it is only a filler piece...
Bill
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 1,185
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Charles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Acrylics are not really "glued" in commercial practice, the two pieces to be joined are actually fused together with acrylic cement. For a good joint such as would be used in an aquarium it's necessary to have a perfectly fitting joint so that the two pieces can be fused together. There are a lot of "how to" videos on YouTube that you might want to check out.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 53
From: Philadelphia Pa
Years ago, I ran into that same problem with the "newer" glass. It's just short enough to pull out or leak. IIRC I bent the frame in slightly and shimmed up the weather stripping a little. You don't have to go much and adding a strip of glass that small would be difficult. You could also look for original glass on Ebay (it comes up every now and then) or contact The Glass works and see what they have to say.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 57
From: Halcottsville NY
I've used a product called "Plexite" cement for fusing Lexan,Polycast,Acrylic and Polycarbonate together. It's a liquid, that, actually welds the plastic together. All you need do is clamp the pieces together and run a bead of the liquid along the joint. I've used a syringe, which, is made for the application. By osmosis, the liquid seeps in and does the job. I've had good success with it and I think it would work for your project. Unfortunately, I don't have the manufacturers name handy, but, I'm sure you could "Google" Plexite.
