Lightweight Windshield from Sector111

[Ian]

Originally Posted by The Stig

scratch off some of the scratch resistant coating off the inside of the windscreen

Kind of reminds me of the old joke.....if nothing sticks to Teflon, how do they get Teflon to stick to the pan?

[MyFutureSelfnMe]

The lexan windshield should lose its visibility fairly quickly despite the scratch resistant compound. I doubt it's a viable alternative for street use.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by MyFutureSelfnMe

The lexan windshield should lose its visibility fairly quickly despite the scratch resistant compound. I doubt it's a viable alternative for street use.

I agree. Many eyeglasses are polycarbonate and have scratch resistant coatings. Take a look at a pair after 1 year. Then try driving around wearing some with your head hanging out the window. It will not be pretty.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by The Stig

Due to popular demand, we will probably be working on side windows and the rear as well.

Neil

great. if you are really working on it, i will hold off on my tinting. i m just interested in the rear as i believe that's the one that's more prone to stone and shattered more easily than the windshield and the side windows.

how long do you think the development will take? i want to tint my car...

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by gameson

great. if you are really working on it, i will hold off on my tinting. i m just interested in the rear as i believe that's the one that's more prone to stone and shattered more easily than the windshield and the side windows.

how long do you think the development will take? i want to tint my car...

I don't think you can tint the Lexan rear window, I believe the scratch resistant coating will not allow anything to stick to the glass and Lexan in know to out gas resulting in air bubbles in the tint. Hopefully we should have all the windows by March.

Neil

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by The Stig

I don't think you can tint the Lexan rear window, I believe the scratch resistant coating will not allow anything to stick to the glass and Lexan in know to out gas resulting in air bubbles in the tint. Hopefully we should have all the windows by March.

Neil

Maybe with sufficient time allowance, a spray tint would work?

[gameson]

well, for me, i just want to tint it to reduce those SUV lights coming at night. and like i mentioned earlier, it looks like the rear is weaker than the rest of the windows.

if they don't put the scratch resistant coating, can it still be tinted?

[perryeyges]

I'm planning to replace my Speedglass windshield regularly or whenever the visibility starts to get bad. I removed my wiper and don't plan to re-install it. According to the guy at Percy's they do hold up better that you might think. He also says that water beads up and blows away quite nicely.
If you are thinking of doing this mod you should not be afraid to replace it once in a while, sort of the same as with a glass windshield. I really don't think it will be much worse. Probably cheaper..
What prices are the dealers getting for the heavy OEM glass windshield?


STIG: Sorry about cutting off the windshield surround. It really is useless in my car though, and you know what usually happens to things that don't make my car perform.
Excess_________OUT!!!! Lightness________IN!!!!

[Speedr117]

perryeyges,

Can you show us what your car looks like now? I'm having a hard time visualizing it without the surround.

Thanks!

[Macgyver]

You may want to try using Clearplex I've been following their development for just over a year and I'm about to evaluate the film on my own vehicles. I talked to the Bray Group at SEMA and they sell the film preshrunk and formed to your windshield so it should be a simple install to the vehicle.

[Jack]

Neil,

I may be wrong, but doesn't a new factory windshield include the black surround -- it's one piece...isn't it?? I don't believe you can salvage the black plastic surround..... please, help me understand.

[smashfactory]

OEM windshield goes for about a G.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by smashfactory

OEM windshield goes for about a G.

Actually, the factory windshield lists for $735.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Jack

Neil,

I may be wrong, but doesn't a new factory windshield include the black surround -- it's one piece...isn't it?? I don't believe you can salvage the black plastic surround..... please, help me understand.

Jack

Edit: See Perry's post below

Neil

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Jack

Actually, the factory windshield lists for $735.

Yap... I checked with one of our dealers and they quoted me around $800 before tax (retail).

Neil

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Macgyver

You may want to try using Clearplex I've been following their development for just over a year and I'm about to evaluate the film on my own vehicles. I talked to the Bray Group at SEMA and they sell the film preshrunk and formed to your windshield so it should be a simple install to the vehicle.

Yes, like I said before we are getting a product named PROSHIELD. It is applied to the windshield like tint but has multiple layers... when one gets pitted you simply tear-off a layer... kinda like tear-offs on helmet visors.

Neil

[perryeyges]

The stock hard rubber windshield surround is eliminated when you install the Speedglass. Done right it actually ends up looking more like a well crafted automobile. It is of course up to the installer to trim the edge to fit properly though. You also may want to paint the windshield frame as it is more gray than black.
The rubber flange allows Lotus to sort of toss the windshield in place and have it look correct, it covers the reference points so you can't tell if it was actually installed correctly. This is an old trick used by auto manufacturers such as GM..
When you do remove the stock windshield it leaves a step down edge that allows the Speedglass to sit into and actually look more up to date as far as an install goes(according to my installer). He said that a windshield with a flange attached is a sign of a poor design compared to say an Audi or BMW windshield that butts up and has a perfect margin all the way around. The installer gave me the option of having the Polycarbonate with an exposed edge or with a visual seal. I opted for the no seal look. The seal would only be a visual thing and not add to the real seal which is the caulk that actually glues the windshield to the frame.
As you can see in the photo I still have to paint the remainder of my windshield frame black. I may even end up installing a thin seal between the speedglass and the windshield support just for a more finished look. Actually ADD weight
Keep in mind that my car is a track car and I'm not into the little details as much as most of you.

[perryeyges]

This photo shows the stock windshield removed and the stepdown in the frame where the Speedglass will be set into.
Have your installer work from the inside when removing the stock glass as to avoid the gouges you see in the frame.
An installer problem area is around the sun visor attaching plates. If you can see the rectangular white area at the top of the frame this is where I ripped off the sunvisor(useless)hinge mounting plates.

[The Stig]

Thanks Perry! Here is a photo of a Lightweight windsheild on a S1 motorsport elise. Note the windsheild surround.

Neil

[Speedr117]

perryeyges,

Thanks for the pics. Obvisously if you were going to put a soft or hard top on you need to keep the surround.

Also, when is your car going to be done?