Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 08:50 AM |
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plastic that could handle a wiper blade?
On a bit of a long shot today...
Anyone know of a clear plastic that could handle being used as a windscreen with a wiper blade attached?
I know it's not SVA passable or anything - this is for something that wouldn't actually have any requirements for a dot marked windscreen,
it's purely from a personal safety aspect that I'm wondering if it could be done!
I suppose as long as it could last a reasonable time frame and be cheap enough, easy enough to mould in the workshop so could be replaced from time to
time it wouldn't matter too much if it wasn't a perfect solution.
Cheers.
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graememk
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 09:40 AM |
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i would of thought 5mm lexan would do the job
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 09:41 AM |
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without chronic scratching? Last time I used lexan was admittedly a long time ago but I thought it wasn't very scratch resistant at all?
[Edited on 31/7/08 by Delinquent]
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Howlor
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:24 AM |
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I work in plastics and to my knowledge there are no commonly available plastics that will not scratch. Lexan is still regarded as one of the best.
Steve
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:30 AM |
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that's a shame, cheers Howlor. Might give plastic a go, if it all works reasonably well maybe have a glass screen made up!
Either that or try and work out some high pressure airflow method of keeping it roughly clear!
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Howlor
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:43 AM |
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You could do with an air knife wiper blade so no contact with the screen.
Steve
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:50 AM |
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I could indeed, though in the scope of the vehicle in question, it would be somewhat over elaborate I fear!
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:53 AM |
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why not just use some wipe on rain repellent coating like rain x. I use this myself and just leave the wipers off, even in heavy rain. just because
you've fitted wipers doesn't mean you need to use them.
[Edited on 31/7/08 by Mr Whippy]
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 10:56 AM |
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probably because I've never tried it, or indeed considered trying it in this sort of application until you just posted... 
I'll shove some on the car later and see how that fairs. I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to my windscreen - I like it to be crystal
clear at all times, didn't think that would be sufficient!
[Edited on 31/7/08 by Delinquent]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 12:07 PM |
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Oh I think you'll be surprised its brill, at motorway speeds you never even see water on the glass as it fly’s straight off. It's great on
side windows too as you never have the annoying streak of water up the side that gets caught in the wing mirrors wake. One of the joys of owning a
Saab 900 was to watch the water get swept of the curved windscreen.
[Edited on 31/7/08 by Mr Whippy]
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 12:10 PM |
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lovely job, will definitely give it a go. Would simplify a couple of projects I've got lined up if there were no need for a wiper arrangement!
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gingerprince
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 12:27 PM |
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Downside to Rainex is (depending on the angle of your screen) it only works above a certain speed. In my Scooby it's just a shade over 40mph.
Not ideal in 30 limits when it's raining, makes you want to drop back then floor it for a second to "wipe" the screen 
Apart from that it's brilliant stuff.
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Delinquent
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| posted on 31/7/08 at 01:28 PM |
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interesting - maybe I'll have to try it on a few cars and find the ideal angle
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hellbent345
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| posted on 4/8/08 at 10:04 PM |
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plastics can be given a hardcoating, which will enable the use of wipers on them, for a reasonable price - with the added benefit that some coatings
have hydrophobic qualities that make the water run off in the smae way as the stuff described above! www.displaywindows.com is the site of the company
i used to work 4 if you are interested in a quote!
alan
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Delinquent
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| posted on 5/8/08 at 04:51 PM |
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Thanks Alan, that looks very useful - I'll certainly get an idea of price from them just in case.
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