Glass

It depends on how much curve you have in the stuff. I have a china
cabinet that has two pieces of Plexiglas installed as the glass was
missing. It has a radius of maybe 3 feet. Plexi and Lexan will curve.
You see some funky curves in custom fab work. We had a heat tape that
would let us put make fairly tight radius. The stuff can route but it
would make a mighty mess. Plastic can sometimes have a static charge
that sticks to everything but the trash can. I think I would try to
do as much shaping as possible with a table saw with a plastic blade
and then do corners with a bandsaw. But a router with a sharp bit will
work. I am not a whiz with a router. Trying to jig the corners would
take as much time as drawing a line on the plastic and freehand
cutting it on the bandsaw.

Salvage yard is still first choice but with an obscure car that could
be a challenge. When I had a 67 Beetle getting parts was more and more
difficult. Same thing with the Rabbit.

Making claims against homeowners insurance has some risk. Some
insurers will give you negative points for claims. Any excuse to drop
you and then you have a real problem getting new insurance.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 22:26:11 -0500, "Dave" >
wrote:

>Your post dinged a bell. There's place called Vee-Dub in Austin, TX some 50
>miles from here. They like the place you mention salvage everything for
>resale.
>
>Stuff I read on Lexan (name brand of a polycarbonate sheet) is that is as
>strong a steel. The only real problem either with replacement safety glass,
>or any other material is that I can see a small curvature in the vertical
>when viewed from the side.
>Dave
>"Archangel" > wrote in message
>news:yTXEi.2951$jn3.1653@trndny05...
>> Try having you local independent glass retailer contact Pilkington
>> Classics. They specialize in classic automotive glass such as windshields,
>> vent, door and in your case quarter glass. I have also included a link to
>> Parts Place who salvage anything from VW's. Shipping might be pricy but it
>> doesn't hurt to check. As for Plexi or Lexan...your choice but considering
>> that the glass in your car adds to the structural integrity of the vehicle
>> overall (up to 40%) you might not want to go that route. The glass can
>> actually be stronger than the steel of the body framing. Again...your
>> choice.
>>
>> You also might want to check with your home owners insurance for coverage.
>>
>> http://www.partsplaceinc.com/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Dave" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Need glass replacement for 1988 VW Fox Wagon GL. Glass is located
>>> left-hand side/rear.
>>>
>>> Have tried various retail glass replacement outfits. They say glass is
>>> no longer in production, can't get it.
>>> Have tried junkyards, no one seems to have this vehicle in their yard,
>>> let alone the glass intact.
>>> Have tried the closest VW dealer, specific model no longer in their
>>> files, can't look it up.
>>>
>>> I live 50 miles SW of Austin, TX.
>>>
>>> Cause of breakage was my fault. Got too close to the gravel driveway
>>> with riding lawnmower.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any leads.
>>> Dave
>>>
>>
>

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> Need glass replacement for 1988 VW Fox Wagon GL. Glass is located
> left-hand side/rear.
>
> Have tried various retail glass replacement outfits. They say glass is no
> longer in production, can't get it.
> Have tried junkyards, no one seems to have this vehicle in their yard, let
> alone the glass intact.
> Have tried the closest VW dealer, specific model no longer in their files,
> can't look it up.
>
> I live 50 miles SW of Austin, TX.
>
> Cause of breakage was my fault. Got too close to the gravel driveway with
> riding lawnmower.
>
> Thanks for any leads.
> Dave
>

Found the glass at the Vee-Dub salvage yard. This place is all VW intense.
Repairs, new parts, and used parts. Vehicle with the glass was used as a
mobile compressor transport at the salvage yard. They had it parked in the
salvage yard, but forgot to list it when it stopped running. Cost: $35.00

Glass installation will cost $65.00. They're coming to the house to do it
Saturday. Thanks all for the pointers.
Dave