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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: jackhartjr on October 23, 2010, 06:34:59 AM
Hi folks, I am needing 3 sheets of 3/8ths plexiglass and am having a tough time finding it.
Any ideas out there in the NC area?
(Two of them are for the skylights, the other sheet...I have a crazy idea I can make the rear glass for the Scenicruiser that is made of unobtainium!LOL)
Jack
I can't help you on Plexiglass in the NC area. Are you sure you really want acrylic for this? My experience is that acrylic is very brittle and could break. Lexan/polycarbonate is what a lot of replacement windows are made of.
I made a temporary window for my bus out of acrylic once. It didn't last even a mile on the highway before it cracked and split and the whole thing ripped loose. (I was lucky it didn't hit another vehicle.) I'll admit it wasn't real expensive acrylic and maybe 3/8" would have worked. I decided I wouldn't make any more temporary windows unless I could afford to use polycarbonate.
Basically I had cut the opening for the window smaller than the final hole and screwed the acrylic to the skin. I had drilled holes in the acrylic first. I also used a bead of caulk all the way around. It wasn't pretty, but I only needed it for a few weeks.
lexan is available on line or from a large boat repair shop.....great stuff but very costly...I paid $800 for a 4x8 or 5x10 in 1/2" smoked and cut to the sizes I needed.......careful dont scratch it
www.eplastics.com (http://www.eplastics.com) will have what you are looking for, and will cut to the size you need.
Steve
Go to you local hardware store and see if they will make you a deal to include your special order in their next order. It helps get their volume up and saves on shipping cost per sheet. Talk to a manager for a special price. They may also have some advice and scraps for you to experiment with.
Art
http://www.piedmontplastics.com/locations.asp (http://www.piedmontplastics.com/locations.asp)
Piedmont Plastics on WT Harris Blvd. in Charlotte can get you just about anything and cut it to size.
Jack
Highway Yacht is right. I bought a sheet of lexan 4'x8'x1/8" from them for a drag race car project.
Good people to deal with.