A body kit is a collection of
exterior modifications to a car, typically composed of front bumper and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, and
sometimes front and rear side guards and roof scoops. These body kits are
designed to mimic the look of a racing car without the need for the
functionality they provide, such as down-force and weight savings.
Body kit parts come in fiberglass, polyurethane, ABS
plastic, carbon fiber and composite. There are many companies that offer
alternatives to the original factory appearance of the vehicle. Body kits
components are designed to complement each other and work together as a
complete design. Despite this, the 'mix and match' approach is often seen on
cars, where the front of one body kit will be matched with the rear of another.
So, for today we would like to share some information on
what materials are used for car body kit and its pros and cons.
1.
Fiberglass (FRP)
Fiberglass is the most common material used for body kit parts. Fiberglass
parts are relatively easy to produce and inexpensive to buy, but their fit and
finish as delivered is not as good as parts made from polyurethane or ABS
plastic. They're lightweight and won't warp regardless of the temperature, and
paint readily adheres to fiberglass. The downside to fiberglass is its
rigidity. This lack of flexibility makes fiberglass more difficult to install
and makes the finished product much more vulnerable. Because fiberglass parts
can be rough coming out of the mold, they usually require more finishing than
polyurethane parts for an acceptable end product.
Fitment: Totally
depends on skills of the crafter.
Pro: Hard, light
weight and can easily be repaired when damaged. Able to customize in small
quantity. As little as one piece. The cheapest option available.
Con: Brittle,
easily crack on impact. Left and right side might not be symmetrical. Again, it
depends on the crafter.
Best for: Affordable
full body kits, single or small quantity customized parts.
2.
Poly-Urethane
(PU)
Polyurethane, also known as just urethane, is another
popular material for body kit parts. Urethane (PU) products are made with a
closed mold process and the finished product resembles an OEM product on your
vehicle; therefore they are more expensive to buy. However, the as-delivered
fit and finish is usually superior to fiberglass. As mentioned earlier,
polyurethane is much more flexible than fiberglass, making it easier to install
and more durable. A polyurethane part can be "coaxed" into position
during installation without fear of it cracking, and the end product will flex
in response to a minor impact instead of cracking or breaking.
And while the finish on polyurethane parts is generally
better than fiberglass, getting paint to adhere to them can be more difficult.
They require more specialized preparation to ensure a quality finished paint
job, or the paint can flake or peel off. Also, Urethane aerodynamics consists
of pliable plastics which make the ground effects more susceptible to heat,
causing it to lose its shape, warp, and even tear during usage. Keep in mind
that once urethane parts lose shape or rips, it is not repairable leaving consumers
no other choice except to spend more money on another product. Urethane
aerodynamics are recommended for the high end consumer who does not mind
spending more money for a high quality product. Polyurethane parts are heavier
than fiberglass, so they're generally not a good choice for a race car, where
reducing weight may be a primary goal.
Fitment: Usually,
perfect fitment. The body kit is drawn up on computer using CAD software. High
precision CNC machines are used to make the mold.
Pro: Long
lifespan, light, soft, flexible, does not easily get damage on impact. The
thinner the material, the more likely to retain its shape.
Con: Soft can be a
weakness too. If used for big items like bumpers, it can deform at high speed.
If material is thin, it can get damaged easily. If material is thick, it will
be too heavy. Deforms at high temperature. Brittle and breaks easily at very
low temperatures. Not able to repair when damaged.
Best for: Lips
spoilers, rear spoilers
3.
ABS
ABS plastic is a thermoplastic made by polymerizing
styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. The result is a
material that combines the strength and rigidity of the acrylonitrile and
styrene polymers with the ruggedness of the polybutadiene rubber. ABS plastic
is impact, chemical and heat resistant, and widely used by the Original
Equipment automobile Manufacturers (OEMs) for body panels. Like polyurethane,
ABS plastic is a high quality material with superior fit and finish, which is
more expensive and heavier than fiberglass. It's somewhat less flexible than
polyurethane but easier to paint.
Fitment: Usually
perfect like PU.
Pro: Light weight,
cost less PU and PP+PE. Smooth and better surface for paint jobs. Looks better
than fiber glass.
Con: Soft, must
mix with other plastic material to get into the best condition for body kit. If
factory has not enough experience, product might deform or break easily. Harder
than PU and PP+PE. Can be easily damaged on impact. Cannot be repaired if
damaged.
4.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber, or more accurately carbon fiber reinforced
polymer, is a polymer like epoxy reinforced with carbon fibers. Carbon fibers
are constructed from carbon atoms bonded together in crystals that are more or
less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber. This alignment makes the
fiber very strong for its size. The fibers are woven into the fabric that gives
carbon fiber its distinctive appearance. Carbon fiber parts are very strong and
very light weight, making them ideal for race cars or anyone that needs
strength without the weight penalty that comes with metal. However, for most
average street cars, carbon fiber parts are installed more for their looks and
performance image than any functional improvement. Carbon fiber parts usually
come clear coated and ready to install right out of the box. The most
significant downside to carbon fiber parts is that they are very expensive
compared to other materials. However, a cost effective way to go is to mix
parts. For example, choose fiberglass or urethane for the lip spoiler, air dam and
side skirts, and then spring for a carbon fiber hood.
Fitment - Like
fiberglass, it is usually handmade. Fitment is usually not 100% perfect.
Pro: Very light
and very strong. High quality carbon fiber looks very nice.
Con: Very
expensive. Cannot be repaired when it is damaged. Does not look nice when there
are complicated edges or curves.
Best for: Light weight
racing grade parts like GT Wings, hoods and trunk doors.
A final point
to consider:
Make sure that the shop you choose to install your parts
has experience installing body kits. Just because a shop has years of
experience in auto body repair it doesn't mean they're qualified. Installing
body kits requires special expertise and it would probably be best to consult
with whoever will be doing the work before you make a purchase. Regardless of
the body kit material you choose, the end result will only be as good as the
quality of the installation.
