Lexan Glass

Just wondering why Lexan glass is illegal for street use if it is stronger? I saw the ad in my Mustangs Plus catalog that shows the fastback glass saying it won't crack, pit or shatter... Anyone know why?

I'd be interested to know how they stand up to windshield wipers over time. Or if they glare in certain lighting situations. Sorry to piggyback.

don't be sorry - those are some good questions. Wish someone knew about it though... maybe i shoulda posted in Tech.

Doesn't the lexan eventually haze over and get scratched?

lexan is not DOT approved for use on the street. it doesnt crack, but it does scratch easily. most racers replace their lexan twice in a season depending on what class they run.

Besides the scratching problems it is next to impossible for would be rescuers to break out when some d.a. wrecks his/her car and we have to gain access to save their life.

I always thought it was the pitting/scratching/haze problem that caused legal issues with using Lexan on the street.

As for Fuzzy's second reason; well there ya go again. 140,000,000 Libs struggled for years to promote Darwinism; and now they're trying to stop it in its tracks.

Could it be because it is a plastic and not safety glass?

Used to be, in Oklahoma, it wasn't a problem on the sides or rear, only the windshield. Don't know anymore....

For Lexan that doesn't scratch easily, look up Percy's Speedglass on the web. They had a booth at WFC this year and had a sample of Lexan that had been half coated with their coating and half was normal. On a chain there was a piece of steel wool, you couldn't scratch the coated side at all. It's pricey, but it's what I'll be putting in my Fairlane.

Fwiw

General Info.:

Lexan is GE's trademark for Polycarbonate. Generic Polycarbonate has lousy UV resistance, thus it yellows. Over the years, GE has greatly improved the UV resistance of Lexan (they currently provide a 10 year warranty against yellowing). Abrasion resistant Lexan is available in GE Lexan's "Margard" series.

So your saying if we surround ourselves in Lexan that we are safe from Big Blue Fuzzy Closet Monsters?

Very good for you! (GE Plastics is next door to where I work in MA)

Never!

Ot

Very good for you too!

Have you visited their "model house of the future"? I wasn't exceptionally impressed, but the electric windows were cool (turn a dial and the windows tint to block some or all light as an alternative to shades).

It's too bad, but they have not allowed anyone into that place for years now.

Yeah, I was there about 14 years ago (I guess the future is now). Their conference table was a goof. A thick (2" I think) piece of Lexan shot full of bullets, all lodged in it.