Motorcycle Windshield

[jhickman1]

I have a friend that sent ne a message about fixing his cracked motorcycle windshield. I know its not laminated glass but I think its probly a little more than plexiglass. Does anybody know the technical name for it so I have something legit to tell him lol. Also does abyone know what can be done to simply stop a crack on one or is he purdy much screwed lol.

[Brent Deines]

Generally speaking motorcycle windshields are made from polycarbonate.

Anticipating your next question, IPS Weld-On makes some good acrylic adhesives. The thin stuff is actually a solvent so it kind of melts the poly back together. Which one you choose will depend on how tight the crack is, but you will always see the crack regardless of what you use. Use a fine needle to apply for best cosmetic results.

IPS #3 is water-thin, quick drying and is mostly Methylene Chloride in composition. Good for gluing small parts where fast drying is required and bond strength not as critical. Most typically used in solvent welding applications.

IPS #16 is clear syrupy or bodied and fast drying. Great where the parts don't fit exactly right, for putting a bead inside a box you are trying to make water-tight, or for bonding applications where a bubble-free bond is not required (bonding solid colors for instance).

IPS #40 is mostly acrylic monomer in composition and is a 2-part mix. This is the adhesive used by professionals for making aquariums and other bubble-free and highly structural bonds. It is the strongest of all the Plexiglass glues, and requires a bit of skill in its application. Excellent for bonding Plexiglass to Lexan and other materials as well.

[jhickman1]

Thanks Brent!

[Glasseye]

My first experience of polycarbonate was way back in the 70's. The salesman had a sample piece mounted in a wooden box and he invited me to see if I could break it, to test his statement that it was unbreakable. Using my 2lb hammer I gave it a good hit, but all that happened was the head of the hammer broke of the shaft, flew through the air and smashed a sheet of flat laminated glass. The polycarbonate was hardly marked, certainly proved his point.