REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

6041zzfe · 03-28-2011, 04:18 PM

does anyone know a shop that can custom cut a plexiglass? Been looking for winddeflecor for the Z4, and the price is around $250 +. and it seems like they are all using plexiglass to get it done. Thinking can i actually get a custom cut one local and it'll be cheaper?

subwoffers · 03-28-2011, 04:31 PM

http://www.associatedplastics.com/aps_contact.asp

Jgresch · 03-28-2011, 04:43 PM

Soundsgood auto will probably do it. They cut me some for an amp cover.

6041zzfe · 03-28-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgresch

Soundsgood auto will probably do it. They cut me some for an amp cover.

would you mind tell me how much does it cost you? how thick is the plexiglass?

thx

Jgresch · 03-28-2011, 04:53 PM

I'm pretty sure they have different sizes. Mine was 1/4" I believe, I think it was around $25 but I only needed 12"x8".

subwoffers · 03-28-2011, 05:18 PM

An amp cover tends to be flat... from the looks of the Z4 defector, it looks like there is a form fitting bend to it. Op, why don't you buy the mesh versions? They are almost always cheaper.

baggdis300 · 03-28-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subwoffers

An amp cover tends to be flat... from the looks of the Z4 defector, it looks like there is a form fitting bend to it. Op, why don't you buy the mesh versions? They are almost always cheaper.

that doesn't have much bending.. just, a curved cut at the bottom..

6041zzfe · 03-29-2011, 01:37 PM

thx all!

the OEM mesh version is way too expensive.. $450 us + and i don't really like it since everything from the rear view will have the mesh effect.

and most of the aftermarket on is like the pic above.

Just wondering, anyone has a good idea how to mount the plexiglass?

thx~

subwoffers · 03-29-2011, 02:10 PM

Does the Z4 have a roll bar like the one in the picture? Check if there are covers/plugs that hide the holes on the bar. Unless OEM installation requires them to drill and bolt?

Bolting them down is really your only option. It's going to be an ugly day if that thing flys off while the tops down....

Or try here: http://www.lovethedrive.com

I have no association with this company, it's a side business my market research professor runs....

Why not just buy a knock-off off ebay? They're like $70 bucks. It's prob better than spending all that time measuring and custom making one.

http://shop.ebay.ca/i.html?_nkw=bmw+z4+wind+deflector

6041zzfe · 03-29-2011, 03:59 PM

i need to find something similar to these to fix the plexi glass, anyone has any idea? thx again

baggdis300 · 03-29-2011, 04:48 PM

they use similar system to hold plate glass at the bus stops..
basically a big/thin U shape with set screws on either side, made of aluminum

subwoffers · 03-29-2011, 07:37 PM

DONE!

Energy · 03-29-2011, 07:43 PM

Pic doesn't work? I want to see end result!

subwoffers · 03-29-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Energy

Pic doesn't work? I want to see end result!

Works for me... just make a U that loops around the "roll bar" then bolt your glass right though it. It would never fly off and you won't have to drill into your car/bars. Just make a spacer to cancel the thickness difference between the glass and roll bar.

Energy · 03-29-2011, 07:51 PM

Oohhh smart. You managed to avoid drilling into your car.

6041zzfe · 03-30-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subwoffers

Works for me... just make a U that loops around the "roll bar" then bolt your glass right though it. It would never fly off and you won't have to drill into your car/bars. Just make a spacer to cancel the thickness difference between the glass and roll bar.

That's actually a very very good idea, i'll have to check out home depot and see do they have any kind of those U shap.

Thx

subwoffers · 03-30-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6041zzfe

That's actually a very very good idea, i'll have to check out home depot and see do they have any kind of those U shap.

Thx

They won't but I have some experience with this. You can buy Lexan plastic sheets in different thicknesses in large and small sheets. If you're good, you can heat the sheets and bend them with a small torch/ over the stove and bend it over a table ledge or work bench. I made a custom CD player compartment for my Datsun doing this. There are machines that bend plastic. It's like a long light strip with a heating element in the middle, applies heat in a straight line and you can get perfect bends. Perhaps you have find/borrow one?

Like I said, the materials to start with are not cheap and the labour involved in no cake walk. The final product is going to come down to how well you are at measuring/mocking up templates in cardboard, adjusting for material thickness and how mechanically inclined you are.

I still think buying the $70 dollar version is going to be your best choice all things considered.

I'm in the process of mocking up a roof rack that won't need any drilling or what I call "Destructive" installation and it's a huge pain in the ass.

6041zzfe · 03-30-2011, 03:58 PM

^ thank you so much. the only reason i don't wanna get the $70 one cuz i don't wanna use strap to hold on the glass, it looks very cheap imo. I'll try to ask around first and see can anyone local be able to make me that mount.

Thx~

baggdis300 · 04-01-2011, 09:47 PM

any fab shop should be able to do that with ease...

if not then they are not a good shop...

its basically bar stock, bent with holes drilled on the ends, not exactly rocket science..

?NR · 04-01-2011, 10:09 PM

try Speed Syndicate, they can custom fab alot of things.

orgasm_donor · 04-01-2011, 10:09 PM

Like jgresch said, I can pretty much fab anything out of plexi, Lucite, Lexan, metal, fibreglass, ABS plastic or whatever. Like subwoffers said though, $70 is reasonable for the piece of plexi already cut. If you need it mounted, I'm the guy to talk to.

RCubed · 04-02-2011, 12:03 AM

^Im gonna need to come to talk to you about some custom plexiglass work.