MIBPreacher Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Is there anyone who has experience with plexiglass that could answer this? How thick can plexiglass be bought in? Do they sell or make it into large sheets? Is it flexible when you get to the thicker pieces? My idea was this, is it possible to replace the hood with a clear plexiglass cut to the same shape, mounted to the original hinges, and use the original locking mechanism? That would be cool looking. How thick do you think it would have to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 www.mcmaster.com you can buy almost any raw produced material like that. even some military grade stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dat280zx Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 you can get plexi in .100" 1/8" 3/16" 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" normaly in 4x8 and 5x8 sheets the flexability goes from .100" able to bend over your knee to 1/2" being rigid and small arms proof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIBPreacher Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 Do you think this would do the job? Plastics This product matches all of your selections. Part Number: 8574K87 $238.85 Each Shape Sheets, Bars, Strips, and Cubes Sheets, Bars, Strips, and Cubes Type Square Sheet Thickness 1/2" Thickness Tolerance +.025" to -.025" Length 48" Length Tolerance +.625" Width 48" Width Tolerance +.625" Material Polycarbonate Polycarbonate Material Polycarbonate Clear Clear with No Tint Backing Plain Back Operating Temperature Range -40° to +240° F Performance Characteristic High Impact Strength and Flame Retardant and Weather Resistant Tensile Strength 9000 psi Impact Strength 12 ft.-lbs./in. Tolerance Standard UL Rating UL 972 and UL 94HB Specifications Met Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Hardness Rockwell R: 118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIBPreacher Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 I found this website selling "hoods" that were clear acrylic but they dont make any for nissans. http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/exterior-euro-hoods.html But that is idea I am was thinking...Clear plexiglass, some led's to light up the bay at night... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Thickness Tolerance +.025" to -.025" that won't be very smooth at all...that is about 1/16 from a high point to a low point... plus at 1/2 in thick that would be twice as heavy as a stock hood...and $238...whew...better not mess up bending it. +240° F...and don't overheat your engine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proxlamus© Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 i would never use a clear hood.. no matter how pretty my engine bay is .. just asking for the car to be stolen.. look everyone! I have a big turbo and very expensive engine components! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 just asking for the car to be stolen.. look everyone! I have a big turbo and very expensive engine components! Hence the reason why I never quite understood aftermarket stereo equipment. I have been toying with the idea of setting up a small business making custom acrylic and plexiglass panels. I'm going to need some for my car so why not get the expensive equipment and build stuff for other people too? Your hood is something that can easily be hot formed. I'm not too sure about cold forming it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Zone Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Clear hood? With LED lights? this is starting to sound a little BLINGy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-TARD Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 The polycarbonate sheet you posted would work, but it's about 3/8" too thick. Polycarbonate is the same stuff they make R/C car bodies out of, also known as Lexan. It is insanely strong, and very resistant to penetration, which is why it is also used for bulletproof glass. It hot forms pretty easily, but you'll need a BIG oven for something the size of a hood. You could probably hot form it right on top of the original hood. Cold forming with it would be nearly impossible due to its high strength. Plexiglass is a totally different animal than polycarbonate. Plexi tends to be brittle, even in thin sheets. Drilling clean holes through it is really difficult without specialty bits. All in all, plexiglass would make a pretty poor choice for the construction of a car hood. I'd stick with the polycarbonate/Lexan sheet in the 3/32" to 3/16" range. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collectindust240Z Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I work with the stuff almost every day. The expansion and contraction properties are tremendous. The seams will never be the same between cool in the shade or in direct sunlight. And the stuff scratches if youlook at it wrong. Wash your car once, and it'll be all scratched up. Plexiglass (acrylic), no matter how thick will not be strong enough to hold a hinge mechanism. Lexan (polycarbonate) is strong, but I would recomend against it because it is not very resistant to UV light. Just not a good idea overall. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veritech-z Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I'd be concerned about heat warpage if you had a turbo...I'm pretty sure I've seen clear honda civic hoods, even in different translucent colors. here's one for a jeep: it's from: http://www.brtechracing.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIBPreacher Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 What I think would be cool is if you could hot form the acrylic to match the curvature, yet add in the vents and a functional 2" cowl induction hood. I think if you had the right thickness, it wouldnt matter how much you spent on your engine compartment goodies, I hear polycarbonate is extremely strong. Get a good alarm to sense any vibrations and the first whack to break it would set it off. I dont consider neon lights bling, as last I checked I havent seen any rappers wearing them around their neck. If you can make your car run faster than the man with diarrhea running to the crapper, than why not make it look nice too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkatwork Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 How about a panel within the hood instead of the whole hood. You could use the existing hinges/latch and put a clear insert within it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veritech-z Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 supposedly the clear portion of the hood on this supra melted into a yucky mess after Sports Compact Car put all the 2 Bi 2 Curious cars through their testing procedures to see if any of them were actually faster... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexideways Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 I once tought about replacing the roof skin with Lexan, would make one hell of moon roof but, would have to figure out something to keep heat built-up in hot summer days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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