Custom made perplex wind-blockers between Twin Hoop rollbar

[BadBong]

Hi everyone,

I’m going to put in a twin-hoop roll bar from MX5Plus towards the end of this month and unfortunately, I’ll need to forfeit the stock wind-blocker as a result (will be selling it soon!)

I’ve looked at quite a few other posts around DIY wind-blockers and I’m interested to know whether there’s any recommended suppliers for custom-cut perspex in Sydney (prefer to be in the East but happy to drive anywhere). I’m only planning to have a piece of perspex that covers the gap between the twin hoops rather than a really wide panel spreading across the whole car (it’ll be shaped like a cross-section of loaf of bread… a.k.a.- a piece of toast).

Moreover, rather than have it bolted into a permanent place, I’ve got 2 designs that I’m hoping to explore. Both these designs are motivated by the fact that I want to retain the ability to close the roof whilst still being in the vehicle (i.e. for those sudden rain situations at a traffic light):

1) Have the bottom of the piece of perspex secured to the back of the horizontal beam by 2 hinges with 2 Velcro ties on the top corners of the piece of perspex attached to each hoop. The idea is to allow the piece of perspex to swing backwards like opening a Ute’s tray door and give me access to the roof handle.

2) Have the piece of perspex sit on a rail that is secured to the horizontal beam of the roll bar like a veranda door. 99% of the time, it’ll sit in the centre position between the 2 hoops (secured with Velcro? Or strong magnets?) and when I want to close the roof, I would simply slide it towards the passenger side along the rails to give me access to the roof handle.

If anyone has any better suggestions, please let me know.

Better still – if anyone knows a supplier who can do this kind of custom job + installation, that’ll be great!

[bruce]

perspex

[BadBong]

dear lord....

*edited

[MX5CHIC]

Excuse the rough phone camera image, I drilled three small holes in the Style Bar and and then inserted hard plastic grommets into the holes, the grommets are a snug fit for the 3 drop in glass / perspex metal holders (if you look at glass cabinet doors on any old furniture you will find something very similar). The holders are clamps and have two small flush screws with silicon tips.
I only need to loosen one of the clamps to pull the wind blocker out - the clamps remain fixed to the glass or perspex when it is stored in the boot.

I have not used it for a while as I have been meaning to get a strengthened glass panel made up to replace the perspex which is too easily scratched, and I did not want to have the aluminium "cross bar" to prevent flexing. Hope this helps towards your ideas.




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[BadBong]

That's a pretty darn good DIY job there!... thanks.

Do you think that it'll work if you swap the bottom screw with a wide hinge to allow it to swing backwards at will?

Cheers,
Vic

[MX5CHIC]

........... No, the windblocker has to be lifted upwards and out of the holes with the method I have used. You would require a clip in / clip out method on the top sides if you want a hinge on the base, without researching available options I could not suggest an off the shelf product to achieve that. - but I'm sure there is something out there.
The reason I used the clamps with pins is to prevent any rattling or vibrations which is going to occur at high speeds if you don't have a very snug and secure method of holding it in place. I tested my setup without the aluminium cross section at the top and at 100 kph it flexed back and forth wildly which is why I am now going for the tempered glass.
You will find in the cold weather that a windblocker between the hoops keeps the cabin toasty warm

[sliq]

i like the thought of perspex but doesn't it go milky in sunlight?

[MX5CHIC]

The perspex I used was from Bunnings and is UV protected - I also used the tinted sheet which I recall was great for when 4WD's are driving behind you.
I think you are better getting a clear sheet cut to size then applying a high quality window tint to both sides which will prevent the scratching problem common with perspex, my one got scratched up in a very short time despite my efforts to look after it.

[Old Dude]

Hi Badbong
Here's one I made up for my twin hoop, its made out of polycarbonate (lexan) and it slides in and out so I can still raise the top from the drivers seat. Both the slides are covered in felt so as not to scratch the bar.

PICT1984.JPG

PICT1986.JPG

Don't know if it helps at all
Cheers
Dale

[Old Dude]

Just another thought if it swings back it will get in the way of the top when your trying to lift it, and if it swings forward it will hit on your seats and possibly your arm while your trying to lift the top.
Don't mean to be a spoil sport but Iv'e been thinking about this one for a while also, I was thinking of a double hinge set up, with the bottom piece folding forward and the piece on top folding back onto the bottom piece.
cheers
Dale

[BadBong]

hm... that's fantastic old dude.

How does it slide in and out again?....

You've got a good point there about the hinges.... i'll keep thinking

[Old Dude]

You slide it in from the top, and can lift it out while your seated, i then put it on the passenger seat and then lift the roof as well while your seated.

Cheers
Dale

[BadBong]

Thanks Dale - where did you source your perspex from?

MX5CHIC got hers from Bunnings... i assume both of you had to give them exact dimensions? (is there a supplier who would measure it for you?)

[MX5CHIC]

Yes I did get the perspex from bunnings (approx $75 sheet) but I cut it myself with a jigsaw, in fact made a few different sizes until I was happy I had got the "design" right. When I get around to having a tempered Glass one made up it will have the "bread loaf" shape across the top - it would look nicer with a curve.

[Old Dude]

I bought mine from a plastics supplier on the Gold Coast called Holland Plastics , but if you look up Plastics in the yellow pages, there should be heaps around and they will cut it to size for you and you pay for what you use mine is 5mm thick with the spacer pieces being 10mm.

I then cut the angles to match the twin hoops and drilled and tapped the thicker spacer pieces in the middle and covered anything in contact with the powder coating in black felt bought from Spotlight.

Good luck with what ever way you go. Im still aiming to make an improved windblocker, ideally one that folds down,but as this one works well and Im short on time it has taken a back seat.

Cheers
Dale