[JavaJack]

Here is the video in case anyone want's to build their own. It really wasn't too bad at all...of course my wife did most of the work though.

 

[JavaJack]

Like the design. Can you give a list of materials used? I might take a stab at this if you like it after testing.

We used Extra Strength screen mesh from Home Depot. It was a 48x60 piece. However, I have since found something online that claims to be super strong. I don't know if it is any stronger than what I got at home depot but might be worth looking into. SUPER SCREEN The Only Indestructible Screen Mesh. 10 yr Warranty.

We used the Red/Black 1K working load straps from home depot. (2pk was about $13 and each strap was about 16 feet). We only needed just over 1 strap but it was more than a single strap. This was actually cheaper than buying nylon webbing online. We just cut to size and then melted the edges to prevent fraying.

We used about 1yd (actually less) of some durable material (my wife called it duck cloth but it felt more like canvas to me). JoAnns fabric has this stuff.

We used both sew in and adhesive backed 2" wide hook/loop tape (Velcro) bought on Amazon. Think is was a 10' roll of each. You don't need all of it but that was the smallest roll size I found. You need both because trying to sew the adhesive backed tape onto the fabric gums up the sewing machine and needle. We sewed in the loop side (Soft stuff) onto the screen and the adhesive hook side (the poky stuff) goes on the car. You can cut the 2" pieces into 1" pieces for the buckles around the top of the cage.

Heavy Duty black thread. (JoAnns Fabric)

We used 4 black 1" double looped buckles (not sure the actual name of them) but we got them at Walmart.
Now, you can get the nylon webbing in other colors online but the red/black worked because that was already the color of my car.

I think it will do good for big debris, I know the Velcro will be strong enough, what I don't know is whether it will do anything to cut down on dust.

 

[JavaJack]

Thanks for all the info...

No problem. Got a chance to test it out on a ride with 12 other rigs on both wet and dusty trails that were rocky and through some bushy areas too. It was a good test of the screen for sure. Overall, I am pretty pleased with the results.

Pros:
We left it on when we towed it down the freeway to the trail head. Sat dead steady even at 75mph so the Velcro holds very, very well.
Visibility was great all day long. Most of the other cars had glass or lexan windshields or 1/2 windshields and they had to keep cleaning them with a rag and/or water every time we stopped. You could see the glare and scratches on the folks with lexan screens.
Great airflow - While I can't comment on how airflow was for them, I could easily see how it would get hot and stuffy in the cabin and I really appreciated the airflow the screen provided.
Good protection from mud/debris - The screen material held up well to the bushes and debris that was tossed up. It kept the thicker, clumped mud out of the cabin, at least any that was flying in from the front. However, the mud and water coming off the tires still made it in. Wife if thinking about making some screens for the side that hang off the top of the cage so we will see how that plan comes together.

Mediocre:
It didn't do much to keep splashes of water out. It might have helped a tiny bit but not much
It was OK but not great and keeping dust out. It did cut it down some but with the sides wide open anyway, we were still fighting the dust to some degree. Goggles or visor will help with that.

Cons:
Obviously not a solution for winter riding. However for summer riding, I think this is a great solution.
Dust - Maybe the lexan and glass windshields do more to cut down dust, I don't know. I wish it would do a better job of eliminating the dust.
Weave - Superscreen has a tigher weave material that might do a better job with dust but it would also restrict airflow a little more.
At the end of the day though, I think the first test was successful.


As for materials. The screen material from home depot did hold up well. However, I got a sample of the Superscreen I linked above and it was noticeably stronger. Should make another one, I will absolutely use the Superscreen stuff. I can see how the Home Depot stuff could tear, I didn't get that feeling from the Superscreen stuff. However, the Home Depot material did have better visibility...it's not that the superscreen was bad, just that the Home Depot stuff was better in the visibility category.

So, there you have it...for $50ish dollars and a day or so making the screen, I think it is worth the time and money.