Making a clear screen from a fibreglass template

[dern]

My bike has a fibreglass screen as part of a rally tower but a see through version would be better. The manufacturer used to make one but they’ve been discontinued. Does anyone have an idea how I might make a transparent version of a fibreglass screen?

IMG_5139.jpeg (811.2 KiB) Viewed 480 times

[porter_jamie]

I think you can get stuff you heat up and mould over a shape. I'll look for a YouTube.

[porter_jamie]

[porter_jamie]

[dern]

Oh I see. That a lot easier than I imagined it would be. Perfect, thanks for posting that.

[Horse]

I think you can get stuff you heat up and mould over a shape. I'll look for a YouTube.

Although using the existing panel as a the former will result in a slightly bigger screen, so mounting holes won't align.

Edit: make 2, in case the first gets damaged. Actually, if you want one, there's a fair chance others might too.

[Mr. Dazzle]

You obviously just need a can of clear paint for the existing fibreglass.

[Horse]

You obviously just need a can of clear paint for the existing fibreglass.

Matt or gloss?

[Count Steer]

Are you contemplating making the complete upper section? Or modifying it with a clear insert/wraparound and using some of the existing part as support/frame?

[porter_jamie]

I think you can get stuff you heat up and mould over a shape. I'll look for a YouTube.

Although using the existing panel as a the former will result in a slightly bigger screen, so mounting holes won't align.

Edit: make 2, in case the first gets damaged. Actually, if you want one, there's a fair chance others might too.

Seems the decision is, acrylic or plexi. Both have advantages. I'm assuming you take the panel off you want to replicate and mould over it and then spend hours afterwards trimming with the dremel to get it to fit then bang the holes.in.
I wonder how much the sheets are? Hopefully in the 10 or 20 quid range not 100 to 200...

[Count Steer]

I think you can get stuff you heat up and mould over a shape. I'll look for a YouTube.

Although using the existing panel as a the former will result in a slightly bigger screen, so mounting holes won't align.

Edit: make 2, in case the first gets damaged. Actually, if you want one, there's a fair chance others might too.

Seems the decision is, acrylic or plexi. Both have advantages. I'm assuming you take the panel off you want to replicate and mould over it and then spend hours afterwards trimming with the dremel to get it to fit then bang the holes.in.
I wonder how much the sheets are? Hopefully in the 10 or 20 quid range not 100 to 200...

I'd be tempted to take the panel off, wrap it in something like clingfilm and use an aerosol foam filler to make a former then at least the curvature should be OK. Also try and take a sheet of thicker plastic like builders sheet and try and copy the shape (wet the original screen, slap it on and trim it) so you get an idea of what the starting flat acrylic/plexi looks like.

(In reality I'd probably cut a section out of the original and insert the clear stuff somehow ).

[porter_jamie]

The inside of the new one will be the right shape, but it won't matter a toss, I'm sure

[dern]

Are you contemplating making the complete upper section? Or modifying it with a clear insert/wraparound and using some of the existing part as support/frame?

The complete upper screen. I don't want to modify the original.

I've measured the one that's on the bike and I just need a piece 500mm by 500mm. There are no compound curves to speak of so I should just be able to make a cardboard template, make two folds and a lip at the top and it should be good. I'm planning on covering the headlights too as they're inset and this should give them more protection. If I'm wrong about the lights I'll either make a cut out or see if I can form that section out a bit.

I just need to do some research on how thick it needs to be but I'm guessing that 3mm will be plenty.

[Mr. Dazzle]

You obviously just need a can of clear paint for the existing fibreglass.

Matt or gloss?

Matt, gloss would make too much glare FFS

[Count Steer]

Are you contemplating making the complete upper section? Or modifying it with a clear insert/wraparound and using some of the existing part as support/frame?

The complete upper screen. I don't want to modify the original.

I've measured the one that's on the bike and I just need a piece 500mm by 500mm. There are no compound curves to speak of so I should just be able to make a cardboard template, make two folds and a lip at the top and it should be good. I'm planning on covering the headlights too as they're inset and this should give them more protection. If I'm wrong about the lights I'll either make a cut out or see if I can form that section out a bit.

I just need to do some research on how thick it needs to be but I'm guessing that 3mm will be plenty.

Dunno what material this guys using but it popped up today and may be of interest.

[dern]

Dunno what material this guys using but it popped up today and may be of interest.

That's cool, thanks. I had to do the same thing on the rsv I recently sold but as it was a flat piece I didn't have to do any of the shaping. I wish our oven was big enough as that makes it look like a piece of piss.

[Horse]

Know anyone in catering (who doesn't mind their produce having a piquant hint of plastic)?