Big cruiser with large V-shaped stainless steel framed curved windshield. Replaced it 10 years ago by removing old, using it as a template to cut right shapes, curved it with heat guns and re-installed.

Bad news is after 2 years it was fully "crazed" and has not gotten better over time in the Florida Sun (shocking, I know). I must have used the wrong kind of "plexiglass" or something.

What should I be using? (just a cruiser so dont need ballistic cockpit or anything thick)

Thanks!

You want to go with either acrylic or polycarbonate. The Poly is tougher but less optically clear compared to the acrylic. The acrylic is UV stable where the Poly needs to have a UV coating added to it. So its all about choice and what you need the plastic to do for you.
If you used a "plexiglass" then that's usually an acrylic and "should be" UV stable....so the crazing can be either from stress or from a poor heat treatment. Unless its not UV stable... then it might be from UV exposure.
Another thing about plastics is they will "dry up" over time...meaning that the oils in the plastic will break down and that can also cause imperfections to develop. Waxing the plastic once a year helps with that kind of stuff to help prolong its life. Or keep it covered as much as possible when out in the sun...

thanks Wally - good stuff! I dont look through windshield ever but spouse and smaller folks do so clarity would be nice....dont need perfect though.

It is behind my house in S Florida and exposed to the sun 365 days/year. I am also redoing the tonneau cover so maybe have something to cover the windshield next time around.

Good info and appreciated!

plexiglass is brittle and will shatter if impacted hard enough which is why it is not allowed in racing etc. lexan is a poly and is much safer as it flexes without breaking.