Glastron boats, as well as many other OLDER outboard motor boats, have thermoformed plexiglass acrylic windshields. After a few years, usually 30-40 years, owners want to spiff up their motor craft and put a new windshield in. Problem is, Glastron doesn't make them anymore.
Here's Bryan with a recent windshield sent in to the shop for a replacement. We don't have a mold either, so I thought I would share a few pix from the process....
The boat windshield starts out as a FLAT sheet. A rectangle that fits the outline of the finished windshield if you could lay it out flat. Now, when the plexiglas is heated up to forming temperature, about 350F, the material will SHRINK about 2%. But according to the laws of expansion and contraction, the material will also EXPAND when heated. So a fabricator has to be a bit of an artist to attempt this particular job.
But wait - there is no mold. Or is there? Our man Bryan has decided to use the OLD windshield as a mold. It's not a perfect mold - if you lay the heated plexiglass OVER the old windshield, the new one will be slightly bigger. Using the inside as a mold will result in a windshield that is smaller. We decided to use the outside as a mold and then use a heat gun to wrap the sides after the windshield has cooled - a secondary operation.
The end result? A perfect match - new for old - and the new windshield is masked to protect it on its journey back to its owner.
Why don't you just make a mold out of Plexiglas off an original windshield to use to make a new windshields? Then you won't have to reheat and reshape the new product. Your finished product will be closer to the original also.
ReplyDeleteHow much would it cost to have a new boat windshield made like that one ?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea where one can get the clips necessary to attach a plastic windshield to an aluminum hull boat?
ReplyDeleteGordon
iqnet100@yahoo.com
Can you do this for a 2003 fountain fever 29'?
ReplyDeleteHi Matthew,
ReplyDeleteWe can duplicate many windows, but not all of them. It depends primarily on the dimensions, thickness and shape.
Please take a few pictures of your windshield and email them along with dimensions and thickness to info@eplastics.com.
From the pictures we can tell you if it's something we can duplicate. From the measurements we can work up pricing.