Cracked windshield

[jrthomas]

I'm sick. I recently ordered an acrylic windshield from LP. I took every precaution to read the material and handle it gently. I set it in place today, lined it up with the cowling an used some plastic clamps to hold everything in place. It was slightly over square, when it was right with the cowling it was a little foward at the top. I pressed it lightly to line it up the top and heard a pop. A crack had appeared at the front wing spar attach point. What a sick feeling. I drilled a small hole at the end of the crack but the damage is done. Has anyone tried glueing or repairing anything like this? At $520 I don't dare buy another one and possibly have the same again. I still have a sheet of lexan that came with the kit? Maybe my misfortune will forewarn someone else. Any suggestions?

[prolab4]

Definitely a painful event. May I suggest you locate a plastics shop. There are many who fabricate display items like racks and such for retailers. They use acrylic and the appropriate cement daily. They know about capillary action and the best glue

I closed my hangar door on my windscreen and bought a lexan sheet but have not used it yet. A 4x8 sheet will make two windscreens. I will probably need to do it twice. best of luck to you

[Cwehner]

Have the exact same crack in mine. Talked to a local plastic shop here and the told me to use this stuff http://www.ridoutplastics.com/ips4.html
It's water thin and a little slower drying. They told me to get a syringe with fine point needle. I drilled stop hole just as you did and carefully applied the weld-on #4 from the hole and the edge side of the crack. It wicked all the way up the crack very nicely. I was told it will get harder over a long period of time so I did it a few months ago and will hopefuly be installing it by the end of the summer. It seems by playing with it that it's done a pretty good job, so as long as I can get it on without recracking it it should suffice. most of the crack will be under the aluminum spar cuff. So we'll see....

Chris

[jrthomas]

Thanks to all of you who responded. I just called and ordered the Weld-On #4 and talked to them.They were very helpful and said this is what I need. Your advice was a life saver. I'll let ya'll know how it works out. Thanks again. James Thomas

[SkyPirate]

the more I hear about the acrylic windshield cracking the more I'm thinking lexan,..lexan now makes an X10 brand that is superior in they claim it is resilient moreso to scratching,..1/4" thich lexan can be worked with heat,..once a blank was cut out for the windshield attach it where you can with little effort..the areas that take some pressure to form it ..a heat gun can be used.

with any plastics..acrylic ..lexan ..etc..before trying to manipulate it to install it ..take some real fine sand paper and completely sand the edges to remove any burrs ..or sharp edges..if it's going to crack ..it will be where there is a nick or blemish of some sort on the edge,..lexan being the less likely to crack.

[SkyPirate]

yeah it does seem thick ..how thick is the acrylic winshield?..I know that some have reported the .093 thick lexan caves in at speed,..the .125 probably would too,..not sure if they make a .1875 or 3/16's I know they make 1/4" .250,..I have not used the X-10 version of lexan yet,..but I have used regular ole lexan on my race car and my planes,..it's pretty maneuverable ..but it has a memory..so heat must be used ,.since there are no 90 degree bends in the application I think it could be manipulated for the purpose ,..I have rolled up a sheet of 1/4" lexan to about a 6"R and taped it for storage,..the compound bends would be the toughest ..

how much does an acrylic windshield weigh and what is it's thickness??