Help Needed: Best way to cut plastic winshield?

[jonno356SC]

Hey guys,

I am sure this has been covered before, but a search didn't turn up any useful results.

I want to remove / shorten the driver's side door "glass" on the 1:24 Porsche 904 GTS I am building. I want the "viewer" to be able to get a good look at the interior without the reflection of pastic in the way. The formed part has botht the door glass and the rear quarter window as one piece. I want to remove / cut it in half without damaging the plastic.

Thanks.

Jon

[Jantrix]

I have cut them, thusly.

Cover the whole part in masking tape.

Mark your cut on the tape.

Set the glass on a piece of foam or wadded up cloth to support the part.

Cut with a good sharp zona saw.

Sand the cut edges before removing the tape.

Good luck.

[Fat Brian]

You might want to think about making the drivers side glass out of clear sheet stock for scale thickness reasons, otherwise it might look like your Porsche has bullet proof windows.

[Harry P.]

I agree with Brian. If the glass is flat or bent in only one direction (not compound curved), your best bet is to make new "glass" out of clear acetate sheet. Kit glass is usually too thick... if it fills the window frame and you can't see the thickness, it's no problem, but if you expose the thickness by cutting the glass down, it will look way too thick.

[Fat Brian]

You will still need to cut it out the way Rob described, the tape keeps the very brittle clear plastic from splintering and will save you some headaches, but if possible you should use clear sheet stock or even a clear two liter soda bottle to make the lowered window.

[jonno356SC]

Thanks guys,

Great tips. I am going to try both ways.

Jantrix, what type of Zona saw? There are many on their website.

THANKS

[Harry P.]

Zona is just a brand name. There are a lot of razor saws available.

http://www.micromark...razor-saws.html

http://www.amazon.com/Xacto-X75300-Precision-Razor-Saw/dp/B00004Z2U4

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/xac/xacx75300.htm

[Jantrix]

I should have said razor saw rather than call out a brand name. The finest blade (most teeth) you can get your hands on would be best in my opinion. 54 TPI (teeth per inch) would do ya fine I think.