windshield replace

[MF294-4]

Just bought an old rtv900 side by side to get around the farm. windshield is broken. New one , if even available, aronund $2k. I think i will make my own. What should i use? Acrylic or polycarbonate? I have researched both. Polycarbonate seems to be industructable but will scratch easily. Acrylic is hard to machine. I do have to drill several holes in it. Has anyone used either?


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[RedMF40]

I use acrylic sheets for different things. Will cut with fine tooth circular saw blade or band saw but they probably use better tools than what I have to do a cleaner job. Drills ok with any sharp drill bit. 3/8” is plenty strong, maybe even go a little thinner. It scratches after a lot of use, can be cleaned up with those rubbing compounds and cleaners for plastic.

Wear eye protection when cutting—if your saw blade catches it can send sharp pieces of plastic flying.

 

[Eman85]

They make non-scratch with a Marguard coating. I've had some on my race car for 20+ years and it's still good.

 

[Stan Coryell]

Polycarbonate. Acrylic can shatter.

 

[Duner Wi]

I would make my own too but this seems a pretty good price on ebay.

 

[wh]

Possible a local glass company could cut you one. They would know best option for what to use

 

[MF294-4]

Just bought an old rtv900 side by side to get around the farm. windshield is broken. New one , if even available, aronund $2k. I think i will make my own. What should i use? Acrylic or polycarbonate? I have researched both. Polycarbonate seems to be industructable but will scratch easily. Acrylic is hard to machine. I do have to drill several holes in it. Has anyone used either?


e

 

[MF294-4]

Have read that solvents and chemicals are not good for polycarbonate. i believe light aircraft windshields are acrylic. You can buff acrylic to get scratches out. This rtv has a curtis cab and the windshield attaches to it's frame and not the rtv roll bar. It has a radius from the top to bottom. trying to keep it as original as possible. A piece of polycarbonate is about $180.

 

[DoubleO7]

I would make my own too but this seems a pretty good price on ebay.

That ad is just for those black plastic vents for your existing windsheild.

 

[DoubleO7]

Have read that solvents and chemicals are not good for polycarbonate. i believe light aircraft windshields are acrylic. You can buff acrylic to get scratches out. This rtv has a curtis cab and the windshield attaches to it's frame and not the rtv roll bar. It has a radius from the top to bottom. trying to keep it as original as possible. A piece of polycarbonate is about $180.

Does it look like the left image?

 

[Duner Wi]

That ad is just for those black plastic vents for your existing windsheild.

Good grief, good thing you caught that. Windshield included costs up towards 200$.

 

[504]

Look around some more, the glass windshield for mine was around 1,5000. A plastic is closer to 600.00

 

[Mule Meat]

Make your own using windshield safety glass. Rear cab glass for a dozer is not to expensive and works good. Beats the heck out of plastic, especially plexiglass.

 

[Ray,IN]

An aside to this topic; to polish plastic windows, buy helicopter bubble polish. This is the product most airlines use to clean their windows.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I don't know about ATVs, but most OEM motorcycle windshields are polycarbonate because it's tough and safer than acrylic. But aftermarket windshields are mostly acrylic because polycarbonate isn't easy to form. And of course acrylic is cheaper. Scratches in polycarbonate are pretty much impossible to remove. I'd go with acrylic.

Drilling acrylic is no big deal with the right drill bit.

 

[Mule Meat]

An aside to this topic; to polish plastic windows, buy helicopter bubble polish. This is the product most airlines use to clean their windows.

I have been using Plexus for years. It cost more, but is well worth every penny.

 

[DoubleO7]

I have been using Plexus for years. It cost more, but is well worth every penny.

If you can find it.

 

[Ray,IN]

I don't know about ATVs, but most OEM motorcycle windshields are polycarbonate because it's tough and safer than acrylic. But aftermarket windshields are mostly acrylic because polycarbonate isn't easy to form. And of course acrylic is cheaper. Scratches in polycarbonate are pretty much impossible to remove. I'd go with acrylic.

Drilling acrylic is no big deal with the right drill bit.

You let the drill bit do the work at slow RPM with very little pressure, too much pressure can leave a starburst pattern of tiny cracks. High RPM's create heat, not good when working with plastics or glass.
My eldest uncle taught me how to drill a hole through glass with that technique+ build a dam around where you intend to drill the hole, fill the dam with turpentine to keep down heat and aid the drill bit's cutting action.