Boat Windshield Replacement

Do-it-Yourself Boat Windshield Construction

jconrad — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:54:41 +0000

Check out this amazing project. When in doubt, do it yourself!

Product Search

jconrad — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:52:24 +0000

Here you can search for any boat windshield you might need, the more obscure the better, just give it a go!

Removing Windshield Scratches

jconrad — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:49:51 +0000

Before using a windshield scratch removal kit and attempting to remove the scratch yourself, please use reason. The windshield is all that is between you and the harsh world outside as you drive. Not only does the windshield protect you, but it also protects your family, your friends and your possessions. If you are at all unsure about how to repair a scratched windshield, call an expert. If you start and you get in over your head, call an expert. Do assume that a small scratch is not worth fixing and fixing right.

Once you have decided that you want to attempt to fix a scratch in the windshield, determine if the scratch is repairable with a do it yourself windshield scratch removal kit. If your nail catches on the scratch, then it is too deep to attempt to repair yourself and you will need to call a professional. It may be possible to repair the scratch with multiple applications of the scratch removal kit but it is unlikely. Even if the scratch can be fixed, it often ends up costing more to repair it this way than it does to hire a professional. If the scratch does not catch your nail than it is possible to have the scratch repaired at home.

The windshield scratch removal kit can be purchased at any high-end auto supply store. Do not expect to find it at WalMart, although you never know. It is not going to hurt to check the department stores for the product. You can also purchase the scratch removal kit online and that is often more affordable than it is to purchase the kit in the stores. This does not provide the immediate satisfaction that store purchases provide though. It really does depend upon if you need the kit right now or if you can wait a few days before getting it.

Once you have the kit, clean the windshield very well. Using a soap and water mixture is a good way to start to wash the car window. Using an ammonia or vinegar can help to remove any soap residue that the washing can leave behind. Using both methods is advisable since the cleaner the windshield is, the better the results will be. Any contaminates that are left on the window will become specs on the window and become permanent. This can affect your vision while you are driving and eventually drive you crazy. If you are prone to headaches, these can trigger them and eventually allow them to grow towards migraines, especially on long drives.

The windshield scratch removal kit will contain a paste. This paste is a mixture of polymers and glass resins. This will undergo a chemical reaction when they are exposed to water. This reaction will cause the paste to bond to itself and to the glass. This will then form a solid material once the solution dries. To get this to work properly, apply the paste to the scratch and work it into the windshield. Using a small paper towel will help to make this part cleaner and easier. Gloves are also recommended for your own personal safety. Immediately wash your hands to remove any of the paste that may have gotten on your skin. Spray the windshield with water and go over the paste again. This will help to ensure that the paste is wet and the chemical reaction is occurring as it should.

Allow this to dry completely in a sunny environment. This can take over half an hour and should not be considered complete if less than half an hour is spent in the curing process. Once the solution has cured, use a towel to buff the glass clean. This will provide a clear finish to the windows and the scratch will be gone. Do not be surprised if you have to repeat this process though. Whatever scratched the windshield and caused you to need the windshield scratch removal kit will more than likely scratch your windshield again. While this kit works for six months, it is important to watch the area that the scratch was to determine and correct whatever is causing the scratches.

Completing Your Replacement Boat Windshield

jconrad — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:56:13 +0000

Start with your acetylene torch cutting the aluminum to fit the pattern of your windshield. Move back and forth across the moldings covering them with soot and then burning it off. Before finishing the project, make sure that there is no soot on the final product. Enter the wood base onto the aluminum to bend it and make sure that your washers fit. Once you’ve finished this step, make sure you screw the base down and keep spare room for the molding. This will allow you to screw in the molding with plenty of room in order to avoid damage to the windshield.

The final step to boat windshield replacement is to bang out any dents, sand, and polish the molding. Buff and polish the molding to your liking and put it all together using the screws, wing nuts, and washers. Your final project should have no gaps and should be virtually water-tight. If done correctly, the windshield should fit your cardboard pattern and all dimensions should be even. Any imperfections in the craftsmanship can be either hammered out or polished to fit the pattern. For more complicated boat windshields you will need to consult a professional in order to get the dimensions right. When it comes to basic boat windshield replacement, a basic knowledge of welding and engineering can get your far, but be careful not to step into a project that you don’t have enough knowledge to complete.

Although a difficult task to complete, doing your own boat windshield replacement is much cheaper than having it done by experts. With the right amount of concentration, knowledge and attention to detail, it becomes possible to perform a high quality boat windshield replacement with a few simple tools and a fraction of the cost.

Before you hit the water this year, make sure your boat is in tip top condition and that the winder hasn’t run your vessel ragged. As part of your general inspection, make sure that the windshield is properly set and that there are no cracks in it. Aesthetically pleasing and functional, the boat windshield is an incredibly important part of the vessel, and boat windshield replacement can be done as a weekend project.

DIY Boat Windshield Replacement

jconrad — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:56:09 +0000

The season for boating is upon us and it’s time to dust off your vessel and hit the waters. Boating is one of the most enjoyable warm weather activities and a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon. However, if you’re one of the thousands of individuals who live in an area with cold winters, you may find that your boat’s windshield has cracked due to the cold weather and possible improper storage. Although this can put quite the damper on a summer, there are some simple ways for successful boat windshield replacement. Whether you are planning on doing it yourself or having it handled by a professional, boat windshield replacement is something that will be needed to be done before your boat is considered seaworthy.

If you are replacing your boat windshield on your own, it’s something that is not easy and you will need to know a thing or two about welding. However, with that said, boat windshield replacement is around four hundred dollars when done professionally, so it might be worth doing it yourself in order to save a bit of money. The challenging process of boat windshield replacement starts with knowing what type of windshield to get for your boat. It’s no surprise that with all of the different varieties of boats out there that there are as many different varieties of boat windshields that you will need to consider. In addition to having the right windshield, boat windshield replacement requires aluminum stock, screws, oxy-acetylene torch, a wood base, washers, and wing nuts.

The first step is to create a cardboard pattern of your boat windshield that you will be working with. Make a cardboard pattern of your windshield and make a base that the plastic will screw to. If you can’t find a premade windshield for your boat, you will need to cut the plastic to fit your pattern as well as create a molding that will stabilize the windshield. Boat windshield replacement is all about having the right equipment and the right approach.