Preventing rear window breaks
Submitted: Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 15:30
ThreadID:
41503
Views:
2552
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
2
This Thread has been Archived
Gidgee
I am told that a Perspex cover over the rear canopy window with prevent another breakage. What thickness Perspex should use?
I have also been told that suction caps can be used to attach it to the glass. Is this the best way to secure it?
Thanks
Gidgee
Reply By: Vince NSW - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:04
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:04
No need for it to be too thick.
Mine came from Bunnings & its about 3 to 4 mm thick. I could not get suction caps to work, so I use duct tape and remove when we get back onto the black top.
Have also used cardboard, beer cartons & one of those roll up sun deflectors that you put over the dashboard, it worked for a full 3 week trip.
regards
AnswerID:
217056
Follow Up By: T-Ribby - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 19:10
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 19:10
I use a thick sun deflector in combination with a shadecloth stoneguard on the trailer.
Deflector is held on with tape and simple to remove. Works
well as you say.
cheers
T.R.
FollowupID:
477525
Reply By: Ozrover - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:25
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:25
Gidgee, Do you need to see out the back??
If not then anything that will absorb a
rock strike will do!
If you want to use something clear then use polycarbonate sheet (Lexan) doesn't bleep ter like Perspex & lasts longer 2/3mm will do, use blobs of silicon sealant to stick it on, put then near the corners, & when you want to get the sheet off then run a thin blade through the silicon & scrape the rest off with a razor blade, or you can get the self adhesive Velcro tape from supercheap as an alternative!!
AnswerID:
217062
Reply By: MickO13 - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:31
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:31
Like Jeff has said, the silicone is the best way to attach it. Make sure that if your glass is curved, the perspex is spaced away from it (with the silicon). The glass will scratch and pit from dust and sand that gets in between the two if they are allowed to touch.
AnswerID:
217066
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:38
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:38
Although I use a commercial product, (Obies Outback Rear Window Saver) provided you can source a suitable bleep ter proof product, there is no reason why you cannot make your own.
The perspex only needs to be about 2-3mm thick and the best method of attaching it is by Velco Spot Hook & Loop fasteners. These are available at most hardware outlets and are about 22mm diameter.
If sections of the screen "touch" the glass, support (space) them with small clear self adhesive spots attahced to the perspex in a few
places.
This method allows you to remove the screen between uses and the only thing on your window will be the dots around the edge of the glass.
I recommend you put the Hook spots (the rough feeling ones) on the screen and the softer Loop material on the window glass. This makes for easier cleaning of the glass, without leaving bits of sponge stuck to the "hook" material.
AnswerID:
217070
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:51
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:51
Link to Obies
May help!
Jack
FollowupID:
477491
Reply By: spliney - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:50
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 16:50
Gidgee
I bought a sheet of corflute from a sign-writer for next to nothing and cut it to fit glass size and shape. Used self-adhesive velcro dots.
Can't see thru it, but it was otherwise ok.
Regards
Spliney
AnswerID:
217073
Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 18:23
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 18:23
I used double sided auto tape to attach my protector.
Came off easily and the remaining tape easily removed with turps.
AnswerID:
217092
Reply By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 21:46
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 21:46
Hello
I use a perspex protector cut to suit my vehicle. To date I have attached it using velcro type products with the adhesive backing, all of which have proved to be a dismal failure because in the heat ,the glue can't handle the pace on the window and the whole thing sags after a while. I am still trying to find a better way of keeping the perspex attached to the rear window. My next scheme may involve using non adhesive backed velcro and aralditing the non hook part to the perspex, sticking the same stuff insided the rear door in strategic
places with selastic and using lengths of the hook part between the two.
I eagerly await some better solutions
Toolman
AnswerID:
217135
Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:34
Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:34
Clear plastic sheeting from Spotlight or similar fabric/craft store. The self adhesive Velcro does come off the window when it is really hot, but Velcro brand lasts letter than cheaper alternatives. We didn't loose the covers the Willem made for us as only the odd one came unstuck, so stopping and pressing it on tight again worked
well.
AnswerID:
217164
Reply By: Tony - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:57
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:57
I had some Perspex cut to fit the rear of the GU, and used the Velcro Dots. The main problem the windows are curved and the Perspex is flat, so after a day in the heat most of the dots pulled apart. In the end I took the sheats off and through them in the back.
Never got a broken window or stone chip on the back doors due to the
well designed stone deflector on the camper. I don't think I will use them ever again.
AnswerID:
217193
Reply By: Member - Ivan H (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:15
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:15
My
driving lights always used to smash when hit by stones (esp on gravel roads), so I bought some clear 3m film (about 5mm thick) to put over the lights. Never had a breakage in 100,000km's after that.
Got it from Autobarn, and I have seen sheets large enough to fit over a rear window.
It's a permanent solution, that you can see through quite easily.
AnswerID:
217220
Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 11:47
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 11:47
I was using perspex attached using suction cups...
Found the dust getting between the perspex & glass to be a real PITA....
(towing a camper, vehicle is never loaded above window height, and I like to be able to see out the back window)....
Got some "Light-Skinz" film (ordered
mine from Repco, you can get pretty much any size you want), made a template, cut film to shape, & stuck 'er on...
It's (semi) permanent, been on over a year, & still as clear as the day put it on.. remains to be seen how long it'll last before it goes hazy/cloudy, but if/when that happens, it can be removed with the aid of a heat gun (or hair-dryer) and a new lot applied...
Beats the perspex idea hands down, IMO.... (YMMV)
Regards, Ed. C
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member My Profile Send Message |
AnswerID:
217234
Reply By: Member - Julie P (VIC) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 20:15
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 20:15
G'day - having broken a rear window - we put the cart before the horse and got ourselves some stuff called "Tuffek" - from a perspex guy locally - quite cheap - we use adhesive velcro (the velcro brand is the better buy) - but we take the protector off when we are not towing - for the same reason as someone below mentions - the hot sun will melt the glue and the cover can slide off - we always carry extra velcro - because it doesn't last forever and it is pretty easy to replace.
Works for us - better than another $1000 approx for a new rear window.
jules
AnswerID:
217323