Written byIs that crack in your side-by-side windshield spreading farther into your field of view with every bump you hit?
Maybe your glass was scratched and pitted when some well meaning soul scrubbed it without rinsing off the gravel first, or maybe it’s acrylic and UV damage has made it turn cloudy and too opaque to see through.
Whatever the issue, you will want to replace the damaged windshield with something durable. Something that will take a hit and still keep doing its job for years to come.
When it is time to replace your Polaris Ranger windshield, consider a multi-layered approach. Start with a high-quality windshield that is perfectly suited to your needs. Then, add a tear-off coating–an invisible shield that will protect your valuable windshield from blows, pitting, and abrasions.
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Windshields: Not Just a Sheet of Glass (Or Plastic)
Many OEM and replacement windshields are made in one of two ways.
They may be made of glass, custom shaped to fit the profile of the vehicle; or they may be made of flexible acrylic, which allows one windshield design to fit several machines as it can be formed to match different profiles.
Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages.
Glass is not susceptible to UV damage and is much harder to scratch than acrylic. So it’s tougher… until it isn’t. When it takes a good hit, or it does get scratched, that compromise can quickly cost you your windshield.
On the other hand, conventional acrylic doesn’t shatter the way glass does, and it’s easier to replace. But over years of sun exposure it will get a cloudy, whitish or yellowish appearance, which can leave you squinting or trying to lean out the window to see. And it is more common to see acrylic damaged by light scratches, abraded by gravel and sand, and otherwise damaged by things that might leave glass unscathed.
Polycarbonate Windshields
Compare these options to state of the art polycarbonate windshields. Unlike glass, they are very shatter resistant. You will often see an object bounce off a polycarbonate windshield without leaving a mark, that would definitely have cracked a glass windshield.
But compared to acrylic, polycarbonate is not prone to UV damage, and it also resists abrasions better.
Finally, you can also look into options like flip up windshields for improved cabin comfort during hot weather. Guardian racing products sell polycarbonate windshields in a variety of configurations, for many models side by side.
Tear-Offs: Windshield Guardian
If you really don’t want to worry about replacing your windshield again any time soon, consider adding the protection of a Windshield Guardian Tear-Off. With its tri-layer protection, it is like a screen protector for your windshield.
With the Windshield guardian in place, the blows that might threaten your expensive windshield will just leave marks on the tear-off. Remove one or more layers of the tear-off, and your visibility will be back to 100%–while your windshield’s structural integrity was never even in question.
And at a fraction of the cost of a new windshield you can just put on a new tear-off when the old one has done its job, and rest assured that a random stone or ill-placed branch won’t cost you several hundred dollars.
Your Polaris Ranger Windshield: More than Aesthetic
A properly functioning windshield is a safety feature. Trying to squint through a cloudy windshield full of sun glare, or unbuckling your seatbelt and leaning out the window to see past it, compromises your safety and that of your passengers.
So don’t wait. Replace that windshield and remind yourself how nice it is to be able to see. And enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the problem is solved, not just for today or this year, but for years to come.
Note: This article is provided by GRP and published by our team. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.
