Rhino Lining your chase vehicle

[Verne Carlson]

I've had it in the back of my mind for a long time on how best to protect your vehicle from large hail and after seeing this video I had to try this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v84SGHl8rMA

Weight added: ~250 lbs
Cost: $1061
Material: 3 coats Rhino Lining truck bed liner
I just got my car back from the shop, see what you all think. Next step is to replace the windows with lexan. Next season will tell on how it does with large hail:

 

[Ken Bayard]

so... what did the shop manager say when you told him to coat your car? LOL

 

[Chris Hayes]

Very cool, Verne. If you love hail, and you can see yourself keeping it as your chase vehicle for at least a few years its a good investment. Test it with some softballs. Personally, I would just get some lexan windows. Dents arent as bad as busted up windshields

 

[David Goines]

Do you have any plans on protecting the headlights? I know they're nothing compared to windshields when it comes to replacing them but I'm just curious.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Pretty cool; is there an economic reasoning behind the rhino lining, or just for fun? I can see the upgraded glass paying off, as broken glass can end a chase; but I don't see how the rhino lining protects against that, as damage to the body won't end a chase. For the cost of the rhino lining on the body, you could pay at least a couple seasons worth of deductibles, and I can't envision the rhino lining protecting the "re-sale value." Needless to say though, you got a pretty sweet ride there, besides it being a blast core sampling at will, the added features will likely payoff with an extra tube here and there, given you'll be able to take a few more direct paths, as opposed to trying to skirt a core.

 

[Randy Denzer]

I wonder if it will act like Teflon and you will be able to cook an egg on it!

Last detail is to go get your windows treated, go to Ace security glass.
Check it out: http://www.acesecuritylaminates.com/

Watch all the videos!

 

[Ken Bayard]

Ok, I'll say it... HIV - Hail Intercept Vehicle

 

[Verne Carlson]

Personally, I would just get some lexan windows. Dents arent as bad as busted up windshields

Molded lexan windshield is on order for mid December. Rest of glass to be replaced as funds allow.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Hey Verne where did you order it from? I've tried to look some stuff up online but all I could find were lexan windshields for ATVs, racecars and motorcycles...they also have some do-it-yourself molding kits but yea...no way in hell do I trust myself with that.

Im a hail-core puncher as well. Ive been watching the junkyard stock for a seperate hood. One I can use for chase season. If one ever arrives I can get it for probably 100 bucks and just swap hoods during chase season...

 

[Jason Foster]

Do you have any plans on protecting the headlights? I know they're nothing compared to windshields when it comes to replacing them but I'm just curious.

Actually two Subaru headlights can run $250 bucks...and likely not covered the same as a windshield insurance wise.


Verne:
Have you tested the surface yet...like throwing a real baseball at it?

 

[Chris Heater]

Hmm...the Rhino lining was a pretty interesting idea! Hopefully it works! I'm thinking of ways to protect my whole vehicle from hail too. Thinking hockey netting or something like that for the car body itself then lexan over the windows. I'll nickname it HARV (Hail Armored Research Vehicle). You have a nice ride there though! You going to show us pictures after storm season is over in 2010 to see how your car fared?

 

[Chris McBee]

Not to go off-topic, but Verne also mentioned replacing the glass with Lexan.

I recently contacted a local glass shop about the cost to replace the windshield with one made of Lexan. I was told they couldn't do it because it is illegal, at least in Oklahoma. They said street-legal vehicles could not use Lexan because it is not up to code with federal highway safety standards, or something like that.

Is this something obvious that I missed? If anything, I would think Lexan to be even safer....

I guess I'm an idiot.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

IMO, I wouldn't bother replacing the windshield with LEXAN, it's made of safety glass and won't shatter during a chase, whereas the side windows will. At a replacement cost of $200-$300 each, I'd be less worried about my windshield needing to get replaced than I would the more expensive side windows.

 

[Patrick Martin]

Isn't lexan prone to scratching/pitting or those circular polish marks you see on clear coat of dark paint? Will be curious to talk to you after a few chases to see how the visibility is, especially after it becomes coated with bug splat and has had the wipers run over it. Although...I suppose you could run those windshield tear offs like they have in NASCAR, lol.

 

[ChrisMartin]

lexan scratches easily, gets cloudy & can yellow.