I am replacing the rear windows in my 180. I'm planning on upsizing from 0.080 thick to 0.125 thick, as the old windows made quite a racket at speed.

Are there any strong opinions on what material is the best to replace them with? I read on an experimental aircraft forum that Lexan was a poor choice because it scratches easily and yellows over time when exposed to UV.

One of them is affected by fuel as well, although I don't recall which one. The last paragraph here tells why they choose acrylic (Plexi):

http://www.aircraftwindshield.com/faqs.html

A lot of opinions here as well:

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/lexa ... lass-19957

~Chris

Chris In Marshfield wrote:One of them is affected by fuel as well, although I don't recall which one. The last paragraph here tells why they choose acrylic (Plexi):

http://www.aircraftwindshield.com/faqs.html

A lot of opinions here as well:

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/lexa ... lass-19957

~Chris

Well the "Lexan or Plexiglass" thread has all of the information that I seek. Thanks!

So which material are you going with? I'm still undecided but am leaning toward poly.

The last thread pretty much summed it all up well except one point which is probably relevant to your initial post. Noise. I would never use poly anywhere it didn't get siliconed, or caulked ever again.

In the past I always used acrylic for the cub windows. Last time I used Lexan, and for the D windows that was probably fine. In the door it is not 'glued' in so to speak, and it rattles against the frame, and the noise it makes is very tinny and horrid. I keep meaning to put felt or cork washers between the window and frame where the screws go through to see if it helps, but as is it makes more noise than the typical metal belly cub... boo

For silicone / caulking, the clearest I have found is either Lexel, or Sika flex.

Take care, Rob