To apply a blackout to the bottom of your new Windshield click the this link for full instructions.

UPD Plastics only applies a Blackout to the bottom of a new shield if the customer sends their old one in (Must have Authorization to do that). The reason why we only do this with the old shield is because if we apply a Blackout only the customer will have a tough time trying to transefer the holes from the console to the new Windshield as you will not be able to see through the blackout the holes in the console.

To learn how to make a Deck Templates for an Antique boat that does not have the old Windshield click the this link for full instructions.

UPD Plastics can replicate a Windshield for your Antique boat even if you do not have the original. By providing us with two sets of templates we can compare them tothe many molds we have tocome up with a generic Boat Windshield that fill fit your boat. In this instuction sheet you will learn how to do that as well as what to do about a frame for the top and where to purchase a rubber deck seal for mounting it.

Making a Paper Template for a Boat Windshield  click the this link for full instructions.

UPD Plastics shows in this download how to make a paper template for a basic boat windshield with lines for the bends and curves for us to replicate when basic measuremts will not work.

To learn How to Drill, cut and polish Acrylic. click the this link for full instructions.

UPD Plastics illustrates the process here on How to Drill, cut and polish Acrylic Windsheilds safely for modifications. Following these tipswill ensure you can achieve a factory finish and cleanly drilled holes.

Why is my Windshield Crazing to early?

Cast Acrylic will of itself will not craze on its own. Acrylic sheet manufacturers will not warrantee Acrylic that suddenly changes in appearance such as crazing that is due to a chemical reaction which is environmentally generated.

Acrylic is a product that is made from fossil fuels and is inert in and of itself and does not craze on its own. When it meets a high viscosity chemical such as most household cleaning agents, paint fumes, hair dye, toe polish remover, denatured alcohol or any CFC based compressed can fumes, pesticides sprayed through the air this will cause the Acrylic to stress and if the chemical is in direct contact with the acrylic it could cause it to crack. The use of PVC solvent and cleaner in an enclosed environment with poor ventilation can also cause Acrylic to craze. Some tarps for covering a boat can cause crazing especially if in direct sunlight where temperatures can exceed 150 degrees, and it will produce volatile fumes. Boats covered in tarps can trap gas fumes from fuel and can also accelerate the crazing of a boat windshield.

Acrylic sheet manufacturers do not cover crazing as that is clear evidence for them that something is attacking the Acrylic and is environmentally generated. Acrylic does not craze on its own except for several years of repeated sun and high temperature exposure which breaks down the Ultraviolet Inhibitors and Plasticizers in the material.

 

Many studies have demonstrated that two conditions must be present for stress crazing to develop on the surface of an acrylic sheet: stress within the acrylic sheet and the presence of an aggressive liquid or solvent. The presence of only one of these conditions does not cause crazing as a rule. Both must be present.

Summary:

Most all acrylic Fabricators around the country use the same material. If there were any defects in the materials it would show up in all the other windshields we have made as well as products of other companies. We have had no reports of any crazing with a rare exception every few years.

Additional factors for crazing:

*Insecticides sprayed through the air

*Cleaners that contain ammonia and alcohol (Windex)

*Tarps that emit gases on hot days

*Excessive sun exposure

*Beer splashed on windshield

Preventative care

Use a gentle soap, such as Meguiar’s Gel Wash, Mothers Wash’n Wax or Star brite Sea Safe Boat Wash — along with lots of water. Polish acrylic windscreens with a plastic polish, such as Mothers Marine Power Plastic, Meguiar’s PlastX or Star brite Plastic Polish Restorer. These specially formulated polishes help restore and seal in the plexiglas’ moisture and protect against UV deterioration — another threat that can shorten any windscreen’s service life.

UPD Plastics inc.