Glass or Perspex screen replacement?

[Corky]

After cracking the windscreen on my Bayliner AGAIN (bimini tends to fold too eagerly onto the frame) I'm reluctant to use glass again for the replacement. Is there another suitable material anyone would recommend? Would clear perspex scratch too easily with the wiper?

 

[Medskipper]

Yes!

 

[jimg]

Neither!

You need one made from lexan, virtually unbreakable and is used on lifeboats as well as pleasure craft.

 

[nimbusgb]

3m and a few other manufacturers make clear acrylic films designed as protective overcoatings, shatter prrofing and bomb anti fragmentation coatings for glass.

Use perspex or rather lexan for the screen and apply one of these films to the windscreen wiper side of the screen. After a season or two or if the coating gets damaged you peel it off, apply a new film and Bob's your Auntie.

The 3m film I have been looking at was formulated for protecting the leading edge of helicopter rotor blades. It is highly UV resistant and stands up to abrasion well.

 

[Corky]

Thanks all of you - I'll look into lexan - a new one on me. The film idea I hadn't thought of too.

 

[jparham]

FWIW Lexan is a trade name for sheet polycarbonate. Its called other names by other companies.