Fiberglass door/window guidance needed

[demon322]

Hello all. I purchased a race car (71 Demon) and need to replace the windows and quarter windows. They are made from what seems to be a flat piece of plexiglass (?) trimmed into the shape of the stock windows. I see companies that offer formed lexan windows that are supposed to be the factory shape. Currently the side windows roll up and down. I would like to keep that feature if possible but it is not an absolute deal breaker if I can’t. I just need windows that fit snug and don’t flop around. As you can see, there is a big gap in the passenger fiberglass door but not as much in the drivers door. But you can also see there seems to be some sort of guide used on the drivers side.

Could it be as simple as purchasing new lexan formed windows and using factory door hardware and seals on the fiberglass doors? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

 

[roccodart440]

I'd be getting preformed "street weight" lexan.

Pro Glass Windows-Preformed Lexan® Polycarbonate Race Car Drag Racing Windows

 

[demon322]

I'd be getting preformed "street weight" lexan.

Pro Glass Windows-Preformed Lexan® Polycarbonate Race Car Drag Racing Windows

Yessir! That’s actually the company I had been looking at for the replacement windows and quarter windows. I need to call and get a quote.

So if I had those and some new seals (the current ones seem to have been carved on - I assume to make the non preformed windows fit) I should be good to go? Does this door seem to be the one to work with factory hardware? This is my first time dealing with fiberglass doors so I’m learning.

Thanks!

 

[Demonracer]

At least you started with a pattern, when I bought my Demon with the 'glas doors, I had nothing to work with. The previous owner had glassed over the slots for the windows so I had to make brackets that bolted to the top of the doors. From there, I made a pattern for a one piece window & bought a 4 x 4 sheet of Lexan at my local home improvement store, along with the correct cutter & went after it. Mine are not perfect, but they are good enough for my bracket car.

 

[demon322]

At least you started with a pattern, when I bought my Demon with the 'glas doors, I had nothing to work with. The previous owner had glassed over the slots for the windows so I had to make brackets that bolted to the top of the doors. From there, I made a pattern for a one piece window & bought a 4 x 4 sheet of Lexan at my local home improvement store, along with the correct cutter & went after it. Mine are not perfect, but they are good enough for my bracket car.

Oh wow! Wonder why the po would cover the window openings? So he didn’t run windows at all? Glad to hear you found a solution though, I bet it works just fine.

I have seen some cars with the metal frames for the lexan windows and they look just fine, I just thought I’d try the preformed route and hope the existing door hardware fits it and if it still rolls up and down that’s an added bonus. I just need them to seal halfway decent and not be loose and flop around so much as the passenger side does now.

 

[Duane]

Hello all. I purchased a race car (71 Demon) and need to replace the windows and quarter windows. They are made from what seems to be a flat piece of plexiglass (?) trimmed into the shape of the stock windows. I see companies that offer formed lexan windows that are supposed to be the factory shape. Currently the side windows roll up and down. I would like to keep that feature if possible but it is not an absolute deal breaker if I can’t. I just need windows that fit snug and don’t flop around. As you can see, there is a big gap in the passenger fiberglass door but not as much in the drivers door. But you can also see there seems to be some sort of guide used on the drivers side.

Could it be as simple as purchasing new lexan formed windows and using factory door hardware and seals on the fiberglass doors? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

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Optic armour

 

[demon322]

Optic armour

Thanks. I had not heard of this company. Looks to be a similar price if not a bit cheaper than pro glass. Except polycarbonate instead of lexan I guess.

 

[roccodart440]

Thanks. I had not heard of this company. Looks to be a similar price if not a bit cheaper than pro glass. Except polycarbonate instead of lexan I guess.

They are the same thing. Lexan is polycarbonate.

 

[demon322]

They are the same thing. Lexan is polycarbonate.

Thanks. I didn’t know that. That’s how we learn! I appreciate you sharing that.

So it seems these are very close then and price will likely be the determining factor.

 

[Duane]

Thanks. I didn’t know that. That’s how we learn! I appreciate you sharing that.

So it seems these are very close then and price will likely be the determining factor.

If you do a google search, there is a good online dragzine article about optic armour. There are different characteristics of polycarbonate. Optic armour is known for its optical clarity.

 

[demon322]

If you do a google search, there is a good online dragzine article about optic armour. There are different characteristics of polycarbonate. Optic armour is known for its optical clarity.

Thanks Duane. I found the article. Sounds like optic armour is the way to go. I think I’ve decided to order a set from them and some new seals and give it a go!

 

[Duane]

Thanks Duane. I found the article. Sounds like optic armour is the way to go. I think I’ve decided to order a set from them and some new seals and give it a go!

Let me know how you make out, I may put an order in to them myself.

 

[demon322]

Let me know how you make out, I may put an order in to them myself.

Just realized I never followed up on this. I did wind up going with the optic armor. Even though they list 70-76 demon as one of their applications - they still send basically just rectangle sheets and smaller sheets for the qtr windows. I used the glass from my other demon to have them cut to those patterns. They look pretty good but the fit is not. (I’m pretty sure this is an issue with my fiberglass doors, and not their window product.)

There is enough of a gap on both sides that both windows lean out and catch air going down the track. I want to address this before the new race season starts. Looking like I’m going to need one of those metal frame kits. I assume they can attach to fiberglass doors but I am not certain. Has anyone here attempted this?

 

[Demonracer]

Get a pair of window latches from S & W race cars.

 

[demon322]

Get a pair of window latches from S & W race cars.

Those look pretty neat. Are they meant to be used in conjunction with the window frame kit or you think that might be all I need? Do you run them? Thanks for the info

 

[Demonracer]

You can weld the hooks to your roll bar to pull the window in at the back. I had the same problem before I changed my stuff up, sorry I don't have any pictures. Like this.

$15.55 a side.

 

[oldkimmer]

Is there anything out there that fits perfect and works. Does the rear side glass weight much? Can a guy get anything for the rear glass? What about the windshield. 74 duster race car. Thanks. Kim

 

[Demonracer]

Kim, check out Optic Armor for windshield & back glass. A 4 x 4 sheet of poly carbonate will work for the quarters, that's what I used on the Demon.

 

[oldkimmer]

Kim, check out Optic Armor for windshield & back glass. A 4 x 4 sheet of poly carbonate will work for the quarters, that's what I used on the Demon.

Thanks Bill. Kim

 

[67mprfan]

Not the best picture but hope it gives you some ideas

 

[demon322]

You can weld the hooks to your roll bar to pull the window in at the back. I had the same problem before I changed my stuff up, sorry I don't have any pictures. Like this.
View attachment 1715665206
$15.55 a side.

Thanks. This looks like a cool setup and easy enough with the hooks. Not sure about location though. I know the backs of both sides are sticking out in my pictures. But when going down the track (or even when pulling it on the trailer) the whole top of the window blows out about the same distance away from the car. Maybe if I located them closer to the center?

 

[demon322]

Not the best picture but hope it gives you some ideas

View attachment 1715666174

Thanks. Beautiful car! It gives me ideas for sure! So you just run the window frame but no window latch as shown above?

 

[67mprfan]

Thanks. Beautiful car! It gives me ideas for sure! So you just run the window frame but no window latch as shown above?

Yes no latch I bent the frame in some to keep it from blowing out

 

[demon322]

Thanks all for the replies. I think I’m going to try the latch route. The frames look pretty tough but I think the latch will hold them in place and would still allow the window to be rolled down some. I’ll update when I pull the trigger.

 

[demon322]

Ok all I got the latch kit but one part is tripping me up and isn’t mentioned at all in the provided instructions.

How does this little aluminum bracket attach to the back of the big button that says ‘push’?
In the photos on their site it shows it there and I assume it’s to pull it open from the inside. But I don’t see any way to attach it.

Anyone dealt with this before? Thanks.