making a 1-off perspex screen

[jamiecollins]

We are currently restoring a 1979 PRS Formula Ford and are trying to find someone to make a screen for it. It is a full wraparound 'U' shape with compound curves in smoked perspex about 5mm thick. I think it needs to be vac formed but it is too big for our vac former. If anyone knows of a company that can make this sort of thing I'd be very grateful!

[fergus]

jamiecollins said:

We are currently restoring a 1979 PRS Formula Ford and are trying to find someone to make a screen for it. It is a full wraparound 'U' shape with compound curves in smoked perspex about 5mm thick. I think it needs to be vac formed but it is too big for our vac former. If anyone knows of a company that can make this sort of thing I'd be very grateful!

assuming you have a mould, contact any of the guys who make motorcycle screens. Most bike screens are acrylic vac formed.

[jamiecollins]

Thanks Fergus,

I hadn't considered bike screens, I shall look into that.

[m12_nathan]

Plastics4Performance obviously have the machine to form large screens from various plastics - been helpful when I've spoken to them.

[Dave Brand]

Weslake-Monza said:

Not least it's possible both perspex and polycarbonate are brand names.

Perspex is a brand name for an acrylic, Plexiglass being another. Polycarbonate is the chemical name, so it is used as a generic name - the most common brands are Lexan & Makrolon.

[Graham]

IIRC you cant use perspex in motorsport as its too brittle and breaks into sharp pieces. you have to use polycarbonate..

[JonnyW]

Plastics for Performance made my poly one for the TVR Cerbera, took it off of another TVR Screen. Fully curvd and wraps around as well as a bend from top to bottom. Sensible price too!!!

Edited by JonnyW on Saturday 24th January 16:31

[Dave Brand]

Weslake-Monza said:

Perspex is a brand name for an acrylic, Plexiglass being another. Polycarbonate is the chemical name, so it is used as a generic name

If that statement is correct then it means perspex and polcarbonate are the same thing by a different name. However, they are not the same and perspex is more brittle than polycarbonate.

Oops,badly written.

Perspex & Plexiglass are acrylics. Lexan & Makrolon are polycarbonates.