Canopy Glass

[KraftyPg]

For those of you who also read the UK forums you may have come across a recent thread where a guys Carryboy rear window was smashed by a lowlife trying to break in with a crow bar. He claims that the replacement glass is no longer available and suggests that he's now got a useless canopy.

It got me wondering how many of us would be in the same position or is this just a problem overseas. We all like our different canopies for different reasons but are some of us more susceptible to this issue than others?

My mate who's been in the glass industry for about 15 years has told me that while replacement glass for my canopy wouldn't be exactly the same or very cheap it is gettable and I'd have thought pretty much all the other leading brands of canopy would be the same, with the possible exception of those that have an "aerodynamic" or bent rear glass door.

But if the guy is the UK is having trouble getting a Carryboy replacement (who I would have thought would be one of the leading brands and easy to replace) is it a case of him not trying hard enough or a case of some of the leading brands not having replacements available.

Also without looking deep into this guys other threads and stuff there is no indication of how old the canopy is so age may have a bearing on replacement parts, but I'd have thought age wouldn't matter to a glazier.

Never know it might be valuable information for those in the market for canopies, who's willing to smash their windows just too see if there is replacements available?

 

[sparra04]

lexcen or or a quality perspex( ie boat windscreen) would fix the problem
probably better than glass ?

 

[Gonzo]

Been there done that...!!

Tried to replace rear canopy glass with lexan .. Works OK on older type canopys that have Aluminium suround .. However Newer canopys have the curved glass with the dot matrix surround and I would imagine that replacing them .. retro would be an adventure to say the least...!!

 

[DVR]

Lexan scratches like crap too

 

[KraftyPg]

I'm fairly sure there was someone on this forum a few months back, possibly from WA, who had to replace their curved canopy window and was having problems getting the glass, don't know what happened in that story but if that person is still around let us know how you got on.

They'd want to make newer boat windows out of something better than our boat was made from before I ever considered using boat window material as a replacement window for my canopy. Our perspex windscreen has suffered pretty badly from the weather, our boat is not that new but still if it was for my car I think I'd be hunting down every glazier around until I got the glass to fit, then chasing down the glass blower from the trash and treasure markets when I ran out of other options before I went perspex.

 

[sparra04]

i replaced my boat windscreen 3 years ago with QUALITY perspex
its still as good as new and has seen a harsher enviroment than most cars will ever see
sure glass is best but if its not avaliable then i suggest good quality perspex will do the job IMO

 

[KraftyPg]

I agree in the event that glass isn't available it's probably the best option but I'd kind of hope the glass was available for current canopies. I'd be weary of any with curved glass but I thought maybe more people might have had experience replacing their glass and could advise others of companies to avoid if there was such problems.

 

[WoodyD40]

i broke my back window of my canopy (only 6months old at the time), and i didn't want to deal with the local flexiglass people. I have a friend in a fishing forum that works for a sign company - he got me a piece of 3mm perspex for free. All i had to do is cut it to shape and install into the aluminium frame.

ALL it cost me in the end, is a small packet of suitable pop-rivets to put the frame back together.

FLexiglass to replace it for me, was between 250 to 300 bucks - cant remember the exact figure.

 

[KraftyPg]

Did you try a glazier, I'm not familiar with the flexiglass rear window but my mate reckons anything that is flat (or not with a huge curve) is replaceable by any decent glazier. That's why I thought the guy from the UK with his Carryboy might not have tried the right places because they look fairly flat.

 

[WoodyD40]

Nope, i havn't yet checked with a glazier.

Since i got the perspex for free (all i had to do is go for a 15 minute drive to pick it up), i didn't thnink a glazier could do it for the same price ...

(i do have dutch blood in me after all)

 

[KraftyPg]

I'm all for free and mates rates, that's why my choice would have been a glazier, but we all have mates in different areas.

 

[DVR]

3mm sounds a bit thin to me I'd go for 6mm however rather than Perspex, get a sheet of polycarbonate (LEXAN). Perspex is too brittle and ends up going yellow. Polycarbonate is magic stuff that you can work like steel. It stays clear and you can actually tap a reliable thread into polycarbonate and it wont crack. Up to 6mm thick I've even put it in a break press and folded the stuff without it cracking and cut it in a guillotine no problem (I've successfully folded 10mm but it does tend to split on the outside at the ends over 6mm thick). It's as tough as nails. It's what mythbusters use as blast screens. It does scratch easily but so does Perspex.

 

[terryc]

If it is flat glass, then any glazier should be able to supply it.

If you want windscreen standard, the windscreens O'Brien claimed they could supply any flat glass. No idea of cost though.

 

[Beergutz]

I have the genuine nissan snugtop canopy and i smashed out the main passenger side glass in the canopy. Had no problems getting a replacement but had to sell a cattle station to pay for it!

 

[d40 abuser]

.....................................

 

[d22dave]

glass

My nav has a trafalgar top canopy made in nz. Company gone out of business so no luck getting a rear glass its curved thought about perspex but would need a frame. 6 year old canopy so it is annoying probably a good reason to pay the extra for a canopy of the major companys. Canopy was on ute when i got it. Any way now i have a alloy checker plate rear window good thing is doesnt matter how dirty it is i still cant see

 

[Al]

My nav has a trafalgar top canopy made in nz. Company gone out of business so no luck getting a rear glass its curved thought about perspex but would need a frame. 6 year old canopy so it is annoying probably a good reason to pay the extra for a canopy of the major companys. Canopy was on ute when i got it. Any way now i have a alloy checker plate rear window good thing is doesnt matter how dirty it is i still cant see

same one as me d22dave and i dread having mine smash. The numbers on the glass didn't mean anything to anyone? you bent the alloy ok then?

 

[Al]

My nav has a trafalgar top canopy made in nz. Company gone out of business so no luck getting a rear glass its curved thought about perspex but would need a frame. 6 year old canopy so it is annoying probably a good reason to pay the extra for a canopy of the major companys. Canopy was on ute when i got it. Any way now i have a alloy checker plate rear window good thing is doesnt matter how dirty it is i still cant see

Dave, have you called the manufacturer of the Glass

N&M Automobile Glass

Phone: +61 2 9524 4046
Fax: +61 2 9524 9603

They might be able to help you, rear and side glass on my trafalgar top canopy has their logo on it. fingers crossed! let me know how you go. Or they might be able to give you a replacement code or another company using same piece (i'm sure it would be a standard one).

 

[scottybobcat]

Their is a place in Thomastown that do curved automotive glass.They could do it if they have the right curve mould.I needed one formy excavator but they didnt have the right curve

 

[d22dave]

glass

Thanks woznme will ring the company tomorrow post up then how i get on. Got the alloy rolled at a place called kermeens in ballarat made a template up. Supply and roll $160 considering i thought i was out of options happily paid it