Jackal1983

Hi Guys,

there seems to be alot of diffrent ways to make the windsheils/windscreen on a large scale boat look realistic.. im hopeto acheive a realistic look but not to sure on the right way of going about it! can anyone help me out??? im not wanting to go the easy route and just paint them in..

cheers

Jack

SS RC Boats

Take a look at some of the boats on Central RC Hobbies and you will have an idea of how Rick makes a windscreen using wire mesh.

HendricX

MHZ sells SS and/or Aluminium window-frames , with matching polycarbonate(Makrolon) window-shield.

DIY is possible by using a smoke-color helmet-visor. (or find blue or smoke-grey polycarbonate sheets on eBay)

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

It's not hard at all

I don't have pictures on this laptop but if u look at this video (the black 60") you can see what I'm talking about

http://youtu.be/PRCuvbMaXwM

I use curved face shields (from welding supply store) either clear or dark green
and 2mm stainless bolts nuts (eBay)

Start with a good tape - wide but not too wide (I like 1" 3M Blue)
Tape off where u want 'glass'
Draw out ur glass and bolt lines on tape for the windshield like a frame they sell for MHZetc.
Carefully remove the tape in one piece
Place tape on thin cardboard
Use razor knife to cut out ur frame and bolt holes (I use small drill bit and drill the cardboard 'frame')

this gives me a pattern for glass with windshield fram and bolt holes

Iretape the boat and use pattern to layout windshield / bolts (Helps me make sure I still like it)
I cut the edge (score it not all the way) and then use Dremel wheels to sand out what I want to remove - Leave tape on to protect edge
I drill bolt holes in boat (but not plastic 'windshield')

I use my pattern to cut out the windshield from face shield
I tape it behind the cut out in boat (curve helps it stay in place)

Start in middle and drill center holes thru windshield and put bolts in
drill rest by working your way out from center
Once in place I warm the curved faceshield from behind (not too hot) with a heat gun - helps keep shape

I remove it all

Then I either add frame for outside or paint the fiberglass edge i cut on boat
A cool alum frame can be cut from light gauge alum (using same pattern)

I reassemble with touch of silicone on bolts

Thats my cheap version (cost bolts around 10.00 and face shield 7.00, tape 6.00, pc thin alum 8.00)

Hope it helps

Randy

Angel727

My Feedback: (5)

I will not buy from MHZ. They have issues (not delivering the goods sold) since they lost the license from MHZ (Germany) about a year ago. I do my windshields with screens or mesh found in any auto parts store. Cost of glue and other materials is less than 15.00 USD. Good luck and keep us posted of your progress.

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

Hendrick is not talking about MHZUSA

MHZGermany has ZEROproblems - I get my stuff here in 10 days or less anyways perfect

Randy

martno1fan

As said MHZ have no issues it is mhz usa your talking about,they are no longer anything to do with MHZ as they terminated there ralationship with them because of those reasons you mentioned.MHZ is a very good company.

Jackal1983

Thankyou very much mistycreek boats. that should be great help. Some good ideas also!!

BMAD01

Hi Jack. You didn't say what boat you want to do the windshield on. I made my own window frames for a few of my F-41 Strykers. I taped a piece of copy paper over the windshield and used a pencil to trace out the window. I cut out the inside and made sure the fit was good inside. When I was happy with the fit, I cut out the outside approximately 3/8 out all the way around. When I was happy with that, I taped tie paper to a sheet of .040" thick aluminum and scribed it out on that. After that I used right and left hand tin snips to cut it out keeping it on the thick side so I could file it down to size while checking the fit. The Stryker windshield has compound radius's which will drive you nuts! When the frame was finished I marked out holes on 4 corners and bolted it down. I used calipers to mark out all the the holes in between, then drilled them out. I used SS #1-72 x 3/8" long socket head cap screws, a flat washer, a lock washer, and a nut with locktite on each bolt. There are 56 bolts in this window.
The first Stryker I did had a SS wire mesh inside it. The second had a Translucent Blue windshield. The cut out windshield weakened the cowls considerably. On this last one I just used Mirror Pink vinyl and didn't cut out the cowl. It seems to be holding up just fine after a year of racing on it. There are more pics in my gallery you can look at. Good luck, Brian

qdemon

Hi Jack
I dont know if you are aware of it but you can buy many differant types of wire mesh from the larger B&Q stores here in the UK, it is ususlly located next to the metal rod section of the store, ( it is here in Plymouth, Devon,).

Bob.

I got some recently it comes in 50 x 25cm sheets.

Jackal1983

Cheers guys.

qdemon

Hi Jack
there is a guy on the Jims RC Forum that does windscreens I forget his name but he,s in the USA should not be a problem to locate him, I did my AC Lazer 45 with vynal a steady hand and a surgical scalpal.

Bob.

Paul M

Which hull are your trying to put a windshield in? If it's big curves like these drag capsules you will need to vacuum form over molds. If they are shallow like a cat you can use a heat gun and gloves and gradually form the PETG using the cowl as a form. I used 1/8 but thinner is easier. Paint can look good if you use button cap screws in the right place (see blue drag cat)

If you want specifics, shoot me a PM and I'll give you my number as it's easier to tell you than type it all out. It's not that hard though.

Jackal1983

Very Nice Paul.

Im doing it on the MHZ Triple X hull... Big slow curve of a screen!!! Should be easy enough... i want a blacked out sheild.. All the gas cutting sheilds are green in the UK....

Paul M

Thanks. You should be able to lay something soft in the cowl and mold the plastic with some gloves and a heat gun gradually securing it with screws. Can you post pics of your project?

Jackal1983

Yep i will do when i get started!!!!

Jackal1983

Ive had ago and my first windsheild!!! Very pleased with it!

martno1fan

Looks good but why not simply paint the moulded windscreen and use the screws arround that isnt that what its for ,they spent a lot of work making the moulds to give that moulded windscreen so why not use it?.
Mart

Jackal1983

Never seen painted windows with a real boat!!! Im aiming for a scale look how ever much time it takes!!!!

martno1fan

Yea but you put the screws in the wrong place they should have gone arround the outside of the frame not in the recess so it looks wrong anyway so not exactly scale ,just saying .

Jackal1983

Here you are... Exactly where i put them... the window doesnt sit in the recess..... It sits so the perspex is flush.

martno1fan

I see what your saying but it needs a frame i think.

Jackal1983

The frames black!!!!!

martno1fan

Talking about yours mate,i just think that how youve done it a frame would make it look much nicer but heck its much nicer than most peoples boats who dont even bother lol.You should checkout Matts albums for ideas theres lots on there showing how to do this,Merry Christmas.
Mart
http://www.imageevent.com/justaddwata

Jackal1983

Yeh Ive looked through matts albums many many many times...
Everytime you look through you see something new!!!LOL

Merry Christmas!!