333pg333

You see guys with the Lexan hatch and they have what appear to be aluminium strip/s running down the length of the 'glass'. I realize they are for some sort of support, but what and how do you put them in? Are they there to prevent some sort of blowout of the lexan?
thx

reno808

The reason why people use those aluminim strips is support the lexan at high speeds because the lexan can be real thin so at high speeds the lexan sinks in if you do not have those strips.

333pg333

Thanks Reno. Yeah I knew it's for some support. How do you affix them? Do you attach them at the top and bottom of the frame and then glue it to the lexan or what?

333pg333

like this...

reno808

Well there is many ways of doing this. I wouldnt use glue because with hot weather the glue can start to melt and plus i dont think you can use glue that is safe for the lexan when your combing the alum strip and the lexan but i am not sure. You can either put the strips under the lexan or on top. Me personally i would with up top. Most people use rivets. I would just use 5 rivets per strip thats all you need EVENLY spaced out. you dont want to know how many poeple messed this up lol.

I seen people buy really thick lexan so you wont need the strips. But i dont see much point to that when you brought it to save weight.

ALSO when the lexan with a UV protection film because most tend to discolor. And they can be noisey as well because they like to move allot

333pg333

Well my plan is to just run this on trackdays and then back to stock hatch for daily driving. So it shouldn't get too much sun, but I'll see if they can put a film on it or something?
Yes I don't want to add too much extra weight, but I don't want it popping out half way down the straight either. I'm not sure of the thickness as I bought it done and in the hatch.

gjoey66

you can also just use bathroom caulk to stick the aluminum straps on...then drill 3/16" holes every 6 inches or so and put a 1/8" fastener in...using a bit of caulk on that as well...i messed it up the first time by using tight fitting fasteners...then learned from a gray beard that i needed a bit of play...but it's really easy to drill the lexan and mount the straps...almost no glue will stick to the lexan without some form of fastener because its a petroleum based product and will eventually break away.

oh and if you're just doing track days it's not worth the wear and tear on your car to mount and unmount the hatch...once the glass one develops a leak your in for a pain in the ***...and very expensive mistake if you need to fix it or break the glass. you'd spend you money much wiser by getting track wheels that are light and good rubber...i love running 17x9 wheels on all four corners with 275/40/17 hankook Z214 track rubber....but that's for my setup...

dougoh

patrick..i would post pics of my hatch for you but for some reason i am not able to post pics..john D is working on it for me

333pg333

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not familiar with the term 'caulk' so I'll google it.
As for mounting on and off lexan to glass etc, these are on 2 different hatches not shifting from glass to lexan in the one frame which I think you thought I meant??
As for wheels, I have 2 sets of Simmons wheels. 17's and 18's-9" and 10" so no problem there either. Not sure what rubber the Z214 is?

Doug, thanks. I'll look out for the pics. Otherwise you can email me direct if that's easier. pgarvan@bigpond.net.au
thx

dougoh

not the best pics patrick ...the sun was in my eyes but here they are ...if you need more let me know...ill try to take a few more pics at a bettr time of day

Geneqco

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/produc...il.asp?pid=751

333pg333

Thanks Doug, so it looks like you've set yours up to stop the lexan from blowing 'out' and some are suggesting on the inside. So a bit confusing here. I think I'm getting some made up from a shop that does this sort of thing.


Thanks Scott. Doesn't look like they make them wide enough? I've not heard of anyone running these.