Time to get windshield glass or Lexan, what size and curves?

[ivaldes1]

I have a used brass windshield frame pictured. So I have this diagram from Lang's which looks to be the proper dimensions but doesn't include how to tell the glass shop to cut the curves? I am intrigued of using Lexan, DYI'ing it and not having to do the glass shop. Lang's says 3/16th 0.1875 thickness but my home store only has 0.118 thickness or much larger.

Also the frame has only one through and through hole on one side of the larger bottom part and 2 holes in the middle of the upper part. I am thinking rear view mirror for the upper part? But only a single hole on the bottom, I wonder why?

[John E. Guitar]

I would get it cut out of laminated glass. If you give the glass place the frame they can fit it for you.

I’ve got a polycarbonate windscreen on my Le Zèbre and it picks up scratches a bit too easily.

[Allan]

What John said. Let them use the bedding material they use to seal the screen in the frame.

Allan from down under.

[TXGOAT2]

Lexan will scratch and haze and it may lack the strength to be used where one long side on each pane is frameless. It may not be legal to use it in some jurisdictions. Use approved automotive safety glass.

[Fire_chief]

The two holes may have been for the manufacturer's tag. The single hole was probably for a windshield wiper.

[Will Brown]

The two holes may have been for a review mirror.

[John Codman]

Do not use Lexan. You will be opening yourself up to a very large lawsuit if anyone is injured by it in an accident - regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Federal law states that only safety plate glass may be used in a windshield. If the windshield was installed prior to the adoption of the Federal standard, it can remain whatever type of glass that was installed. Only Safety plate glass may be used in windshield replacement. It would be legal to use Lexan in a side or rear window.

[Mark Nunn]

Is the windshield frame a Modet T part or is it unknown? If Motel T, the glass manual will have dimensions. Another option is to use cardboard or hardboard to make templates.

[Steve Jelf]

You want Ford's glass book. It gives measurements and diagrams. I don't recall the title, but I think you will find it here: http://acimorelli.readyhosting.com/mtdl/default.htm

Pay attention to the book. Significant parts of the design may not be obvious if you just have glass cut to fit the frames.

[Norman Kling]

I bought a repro frame for a 26 and I am glad that I tried it on to see if it fit to the cowl. It needed some tweeking, and fortunately, I live about 75 miles from Chaffin's (from which I had bought it). Rather than trying to adjust it myself, I took it back up there and they fixed it for me free. Then I took it to the glass shop to get the glass fitted.
Anyway, be sure everything fits your car, before you order the glass.
Norm

[ivaldes1]

I found: "Specifications and Sizes of Ford Windshield and Closed BodyGlass" the closest thing I found was a 1915 but the lengths and widths are not the same. I wonder if this size pre-dates 1915?

You want Ford's glass book. It gives measurements and diagrams. I don't recall the title, but I think you will find it here: http://acimorelli.readyhosting.com/mtdl/default.htm

Pay attention to the book. Significant parts of the design may not be obvious if you just have glass cut to fit the frames.

[Steve Jelf]

Possibly so. Compare it to photos of earlier cars. If you find any that seem to match you can ask the owners for measurements.

[Ed Fuller]

I agree, don’t bother with Lexan.

When I made the windshield for my speedster, I found an inexpensive frame at a swap meet and narrowed it to fit. I cut a piece of Luan plywood to fit the frame exactly how I wanted the glass to fit and gave it to a glass shop to use as a pattern. They cut a piece of laminated safety glass to match my pattern and it fit perfect.

The same glass shop cut two pieces of laminated safety glass to replace the plate glass for the windshield in my late ‘13 Touring for around $100.

[Will_Vanderburg]

When I did my touring, I had an auto glass shop fit the glass to my original glass channels. 110 bucks total for both frames.

I told them to cut the glass in such a way that there's no modern markings on the glass.

[ivaldes1]

Great idea. I have some luan.

I agree, don’t bother with Lexan.

When I made the windshield for my speedster, I found an inexpensive frame at a swap meet and narrowed it to fit. I cut a piece of Luan plywood to fit the frame exactly how I wanted the glass to fit and gave it to a glass shop to use as a pattern. They cut a piece of laminated safety glass to match my pattern and it fit perfect.

The same glass shop cut two pieces of laminated safety glass to replace the plate glass for the windshield in my late ‘13 Touring for around $100.

[Allan]

You don't need a pattern or any specifications as to size, or any factory specifications which may not even apply to your particular screen, if you just deliver the frames to the shop for them to cut the glass to fit. Job done!

Allan from down under.

[ivaldes1]

My local glass shop is weird about doing auto glass. We don’t do auto glass. But they will do safety glass. Uh ok.

[Allan]

There are likely regulations regarding auto glass with which they are unwilling/unqualified to work with. However, a brass edged rectangular coffee table top is a different kettle of fish.

Allan

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

My local glass shop is weird about doing auto glass. We don’t do auto glass. But they will do safety glass. Uh ok.

You need to go to an automotive glass shop, like maybe Safelite. They have several locations serving Houston. "Safety glass" and auto glass are NOT the same thing.

https://www.safelite.com/store-locator? ... lsrc=3p.ds

https://www.bing.com/search?q=custom+au ... 7facbf51cc