109
votes
Accepted
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
Plexiglass is flammable. While it doesn't release toxic gases or excessive amounts of smoke, it is still rated B2 (normally flammable) and thus forbidden as interior material in motor vehicles, ...
- 2,642
47
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
Because of how it reacts in a collision. Auto glass is designed to shatter into small bits that are fairly dull, as opposed to large, sharp daggers. In the US, your car must be outfitted with glazing ...
- 781
32
votes
Accepted
How to get rid of a decal on the rear window?
The most effective thing I've found for this is heat. Warm the sticker with a hair dryer. When it gets warmed to a certain point it will easily pull away without leaving residue. One word of ...
- 23.4k
24
votes
How to get rid of a decal on the rear window?
On glass, heat would probably work well as mentioned, but I've worked at a car dealership for years, and always removed stickers and window paint with a simple straight razor blade and windex. The ...
- 341
23
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
In addition to to the other factors mentioned. Plexiglass is not opaque to UV radition like silica glass. Passengers would get sunburned driving around exposed to sunlight.
Used to be, when not all ...
- 331
18
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
Plastics are awesome. One of their characteristics is that they easily degrade in UV / sunlight. In my experience that is the weakest link in its usage. With that said, there are a whole lot of ...
- 6,569
12
votes
What stops a car window from falling down?
Every window has what's called a window regulator (here's a representative image):
The window itself attaches to the window track. This keeps it steady and level while moving up and down. As you can ...
- 152k
12
votes
How to get rid of a decal on the rear window?
Acetone and isopropyl rubbing alcohol (90% and higher) are very effective at dissolving glue without affecting glass. It will affect any other plastic layer on the window so you should check for any ...
- 121
10
votes
Accepted
Is it safe to drive with a crack in the windshield?
There are limits on the amount of cracking allowed on a windscreen before it fails safety inspection. Obviously, if your car isn't in a state/county that requires safety inspection, that's irrelevant.
...
- 8,652
9
votes
Accepted
Why is air buffeting worse for most cars with the rear windows than the front windows?
In the simplest terms possible, the windshield acts as a spoiler or fairing, pushing the air out and up as your vehicle gains speed. The air naturally will push back to be along the side of the ...
- 9,035
8
votes
Accepted
Window frozen shut
Total Guess
It's very cold.
You drive around.
You roll down your window to smoke.
Moisture from respiration builds up on the edge of the window while you smoke.
You roll your window up.
...
- 32.9k
8
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
I think in answering this question you need to answer the initial question which is fundamentally, is plexiglass used for glazing in road cars. The answer to this question is that it is a very ...
- 23.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Rear window shatters after closing door
Rear and side windows are generally made from tempered glass which has been heat treated to set up residual stresses in the plate which put the interior under compression. This is what causes it to ...
- 1,596
6
votes
Is it a good idea to wax my windows?
tl dr: There are no major safety issues with using wax on your windows.
I have done it before without issue. It will do a couple of things for you. First, it will fill in minor imperfections in the ...
- 152k
6
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
it scratches too easily. thus, it cannot be used in a road environment
- 61
5
votes
Accepted
My Lexus RX 350 back window shattered. Is this possible by weather or only a person?
Safety glass will most always look the same no matter how or where it shatters, mainly due to the design of the glass. It's made to break into a thousand little pieces (you'll still find pieces five ...
- 152k
5
votes
Accepted
leaving the rear defroster on constantly
Well, there are some downsides. First, most cars turn it off automatically so the manufacturer doesn't think you should leave it on all the time. The way the defroster works, it's a grid of thin ...
- 9,326
4
votes
Accepted
Does haveing multiple layers of tint make sense?
This does not make sense because you can get tint in ever darker shades. If you want the ultimate in darkness, get some limo tint. Having multiple layers on the window is just asking the outer layer ...
- 152k
4
votes
How can I turn my rear window into a one-way mirror?
In many ways, a better solution would be to install an auto-dimming mirror:
most auto manufacturers nowadays offer this feature as an option
the dimming gel relies on light-sensor input to decide ...
- 39.1k
4
votes
How to best deal with ice buildup on inside front window of car?
First: how to fix.
You can take a scraper to the inside of the car window. The windows are definitely hardy enough to withstand having a scraper used on it. I do it all the time, and have never had ...
- 5,245
4
votes
Accepted
Resolving rubber window seal damage
Without replacing it, there are few options.
You would need heat to smooth the material back down. Using a heat gun sparingly & carefully may work, but doing so improperly would likely make the ...
- 9,035
4
votes
How to get rid of a decal on the rear window?
Sticker remover or sticker adhesive sprays and manual scraping work a treat.
I'd use a plastic scraper or credit card to avoid damaging rear defroster lines.
- 39.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Dual Window Regulators
Some older cars have more than one controllable "window" on the door, so there needs to be more than one window crank. For example, here's a photo showing a car door with 2 window cranks. You can ...
- 432
4
votes
Accepted
Is interior side of a car door designed to withstand rain?
There's not much to worry about. Car doors have seals to keep rain out, as long as the window is in contact with the seal along its entire length rain will not get inside the door, even if it is not ...
- 15.7k
4
votes
Why are hatchbacks and SUVs' rear window vertical, relative to sedans' at around 45°?
For the angle of the rear window, vertical is basically for the load volume / carrying capacity, getting things with a high roof line opening.
Well, some sedans or sedans with a hatch-back did have ...
- 34.6k
3
votes
What is this quarter window part called, and how can I get a replacement?
As mentioned in my update to my question, I'm fairly certain it is a "glass to lift plate bushing", it's a 2-part bushing. Looks like a black plastic t-nut that screws into the middle of this white ...
- 191
3
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
In Israel people who live in dangerous areas can have their car windows replaced for free. They replace the front windshield with bullet proof glass. The side windows are replaced with some type of ...
3
votes
Why is plexiglass not used for car windows?
Apart from collision/fire behavior, automotive glazing has to resist damage from road debris - stones and such. It also has to resist abrasion from dusty/dirty windshield wipers. That requires a hard ...
- 837
3
votes
How can I turn my rear window into a one-way mirror?
This easiest way to do this is by using limo tint or one way mirror window tint.
The thing to be careful of here is to be ware of local laws which may be at issue with your designs. At least in the ...
- 152k
3
votes
Accepted
What are the names of each window on a typical non-commercial vehicle?
Windshield - mandatory (windscreen in the U.K.)
Vent Windows - optional, hinge outward from the front doors
Front Windows - mandatory windows in the front (or only) doors
Sunroof / Moonroof - ...
- 2,684
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible