Body Kits 101 — Materials used in the car industry
Your car’s new look and feel basically depends your body kit, which in turn, is made up of either of two basic materials – urethane and fiberglass.
Because of its good reputation as a high quality material, urethane has been widely used by top body kit manufacturers today. Urethane is a hard, but flexible type of rubber that has relatively good resistance against “bumps” and dents. Urethane is so strong and durable it could take some good beating before getting disfigured. They are also easier to install than fiberglass body kits. However, I noticed that urethane body kits are a bit pricey, and once they get damaged, they have to be replaced.
On the other hand, fiberglass body kits are far cheaper (almost half the price) than their urethane counterparts. Aside from its lower price, a fiberglass body kit or part can be widely available everywhere. Fiberglass kits are highly ‘repairable’
especially if the tear or dent is not extensive.
In a nutshell, if you are looking for quality and strength, urethane may be your best bet… But if your budget is tight and you’re looking for a specific part/item, fiberglass may best fit you.
Despite their distinct characteristics, many enthusiasts usually choose — deliberately or unintentionally – to mix fiberglass and urethane depending on the part and taste. Anyway, I bet virtually know one would know, at first glance if your kit is fiberglass or urethane.
Can you tell which material was used for each car?!
