How to Choose the Best Material For a Car Body Kit

WHAT IS A CAR BODY KIT?

CARBON FIBER

• Ultra-Lightweight: Carbon fiber is significantly lighter than both fiberglass and ABS plastic, which can greatly enhance a car’s speed and fuel efficiency.
• High Strength: It offers exceptional tensile strength, making it incredibly durable and resistant to impacts.
• Premium Appearance: The distinctive weave pattern of carbon fiber is often left exposed, giving vehicles a high-end, performance-oriented look.

• High Cost: Carbon fiber is one of the most expensive materials for auto body kits due to its complex manufacturing process.
• Vulnerability To Damage: While strong, carbon fiber can be susceptible to cracking under certain impacts, and repairs can be costly.

FIBERGLASS

• Lightweight: Fiberglass is lighter than many other materials, which can improve your car’s performance by reducing overall weight.
• Cost-Effective: Generally, fiberglass is less expensive than other materials like carbon fiber, making it a popular choice for those on a budget.
• Customizable: Its moldability allows for intricate designs and custom shapes, providing more creative freedom for car modifications.

• Brittleness: Fiberglass can be more prone to cracking and breaking upon impact, which can be a concern for daily drivers.
• Surface Finish: Fiberglass parts often require additional finishing work, such as sanding and painting, to achieve a smooth, high-quality appearance.

ABS PLASTIC

• Durability: ABS plastic is more impact-resistant than fiberglass, making it a better option for everyday use.
• Flexibility: It offers fine flexibility, reducing the risk of cracking under stress or minor impacts.
• Easy to Manufacture: ABS plastic can be mass-produced with consistent quality, leading to lower production costs.

• Weight: ABS plastic is heavier than fiberglass, which might slightly affect the vehicle's performance.
• UV Sensitivity: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause ABS to degrade over time, potentially leading to discoloration or warping.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS

• Balanced Properties: Composites offer a good balance of strength, weight, and cost, making them a versatile option.
• Improved Durability: The combination of materials can result in a more durable product that resists cracking and damage better than fiberglass alone.
• Cost-Effective: Composites can be less expensive than pure carbon fiber while still offering many of its benefits.

• Complex Manufacturing: The production process can be more complex, leading to variability in quality.
• Weight Variation: Depending on the blend, composites can vary in weight, potentially affecting the vehicle’s performance.

POLYURETHANE (A.K.A. 'URETHANE')

• Flexibility: Polyurethane is highly flexible, allowing it to absorb impacts without cracking, making it ideal for daily drivers.
• Durability: It is resistant to wear and tear, including impacts, scratches, and weather conditions.
• Easy To Paint: Urethane can be painted to match your vehicle’s color, ensuring a seamless appearance.

• Heavier Weight: Polyurethane is generally heavier than fiberglass and carbon fiber, which could slightly impact performance.
• Higher Cost: While not as expensive as carbon fiber, urethane auto body kits are typically pricier than fiberglass.

MATERIAL COMPARISON TABLE

DURABILITY AND STRENGTH

WEIGHT AND PERFORMANCE

COST AND VALUE

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

AESTHETICS AND FINISH

FIBERGLASS VS. ABS PLASTIC

Durability:

• Fiberglass: While lightweight and moldable, fiberglass is more prone to cracking under impact. It's durable enough for most applications but may not hold up well in harsher driving conditions or with frequent use.
• ABS Plastic: ABS plastic offers better impact resistance and flexibility, making it a more durable option for daily rides under various road conditions.

Weight:

• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is lighter than ABS plastic, which can be beneficial for performance-oriented modifications, contributing to a slight improvement in speed and fuel efficiency.
• ABS Plastic: Although slightly heavier, the added weight of ABS plastic is often negligible in most driving scenarios but might be a consideration for high-performance builds.

Cost:

• Fiberglass: Generally more affordable, fiberglass is a popular choice for those on a budget who still want a custom look for their vehicle.
• ABS Plastic: ABS plastic can be slightly more expensive due to its enhanced durability and impact resistance, but it’s still a cost-effective option.

Ease Of Installation:

• Fiberglass: Being easier to mold and install, fiberglass is more forgiving during the installation process but may require more post-installation work, like sanding and painting.
• ABS Plastic: ABS plastic offers a more straightforward installation process with fewer finishing tasks, but its rigidity can make fitting more challenging in complex designs.

CARBON FIBER VS. COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Durability:

• Carbon Fiber: Known for its incredible strength, carbon fiber is highly resistant to impact and environmental factors, making it a top choice for high-end applications.
• Composite Materials: While durable, composite materials vary in strength depending on their specific blend. They generally offer good durability, balancing the properties of the materials used in the composite.

Weight:

• Carbon Fiber: Extremely lightweight, carbon fiber reduces the overall weight of the vehicle significantly, enhancing performance, especially in speed and handling.
• Composite Materials: Composite materials are generally heavier than pure carbon fiber but lighter than other materials like fiberglass or ABS plastic, offering a good compromise between weight and cost.

Cost:

• Carbon Fiber: As one of the most expensive materials, carbon fiber is often reserved for those who prioritize performance and aesthetics, with a willingness to invest in top-tier components.
• Composite Materials: More affordable than carbon fiber, composites offer many of the same benefits at a lower cost, making them accessible to a broader range of car enthusiasts.

Ease of Installation:

• Carbon Fiber: Requires precision during installation to avoid damage, as carbon fiber can be brittle and challenging to work with, especially for those without experience.
• Composite Materials: Generally easier to install than carbon fiber, composites offer more flexibility and less risk of damage during installation.

FIBERGLASS VS. POLYURETHANE

Durability:

• Fiberglass: While reasonably durable, fiberglass is more prone to cracking and may not withstand impacts as well as polyurethane.
• Polyurethane: Highly durable and impact-resistant, polyurethane is ideal for daily drivers who need a robust material that can handle bumps and scrapes without significant damage.

Weight:

• Fiberglass: Lighter than polyurethane, fiberglass can improve vehicle performance slightly, particularly in terms of speed and agility.
• Polyurethane: Heavier than fiberglass, polyurethane adds some weight to the vehicle, which might affect performance slightly but provides better durability.

Cost:

• Fiberglass: More budget-friendly, making it a popular choice for those who want to customize their vehicle without breaking the bank.
• Polyurethane: More expensive than fiberglass, but the added cost is justified by its superior durability and impact resistance.

Ease of Installation:

• Fiberglass: Easier to cut and shape, fiberglass allows for more customization during installation but may require more finishing work afterward.
• Polyurethane: More challenging to install due to its flexibility and weight, but it offers a superior fit and finish once installed correctly.

CARBON FIBER VS. POLYURETHANE

Durability:

• Carbon Fiber: Offers unmatched strength and resistance to wear and tear, but can be brittle under certain impacts, making it vulnerable to cracking.
• Polyurethane: Extremely durable and flexible, polyurethane is better suited to absorbing impacts without damage, making it more practical for everyday use.

Weight:

• Carbon Fiber: The lightest material among all options, carbon fiber significantly reduces vehicle weight, enhancing performance in terms of speed and fuel efficiency.
• Polyurethane: Heavier than carbon fiber, which can slightly affect performance, but its durability often makes this trade-off worthwhile for many drivers.

Cost:

• Carbon Fiber: The most expensive option, carbon fiber is typically used in high-end builds where performance and aesthetics are top priorities.
• Polyurethane: Less expensive than carbon fiber but still more costly than fiberglass, polyurethane offers a good balance between price and durability.

Ease of Installation:

• Carbon Fiber: Requires careful handling during installation due to its brittleness, making it more challenging for those without experience.
• Polyurethane: While heavier and more flexible, polyurethane can be more forgiving during installation, offering a snug fit and long-lasting finish.

ASSESSING YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET

• What Is Your Primary Goal? Are you looking to enhance the car’s appearance, improve performance, or strike a balance between both? For example, if weight reduction and performance are top priorities, carbon fiber might be your best bet. However, if you’re focused on achieving a certain look on a budget, ABS plastic or fiberglass could be more suitable.
• How Much Are You Willing to Spend? Your budget will heavily influence your material choice. Carbon fiber is premium but comes with a higher price tag, while fiberglass and ABS plastic offer more budget-friendly options without sacrificing too much on aesthetics.
• How Often Do You Drive the Car? If your car is a daily driver, durability and ease of maintenance should be top considerations. Polyurethane, with its flexibility and impact resistance, might be ideal for daily use. On the other hand, if the car is mostly for show, you might prioritize materials that offer the most visual appeal, like carbon fiber.
• What Is the Climate Like in Your Area? Different materials respond differently to environmental conditions. For instance, fiberglass might be prone to cracking in extreme cold, while carbon fiber holds up well in various weather conditions but can be sensitive to UV rays without proper care.
• Are You Planning to Install the Kit Yourself? Some materials are easier to work with than others. If you’re planning a DIY installation, ABS plastic or fiberglass might be more manageable, whereas carbon fiber and composite materials might require professional installation due to their complexity. Read about the nuances of self-installation in our article Body kit installation: DIY or hire a professional. What will you choose?

CONSULTING WITH EXPERTS

CAN I MIX DIFFERENT MATERIALS IN MY BODY KIT?

HOW LONG DOES A TYPICAL BODY KIT LAST?

WILL INSTALLING A BODY KIT VOID MY CAR'S WARRANTY?

ARE THERE ANY LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN INSTALLING A BODY KIT?

WHAT IS THE MOST DURABLE MATERIAL FOR A CAR BODY KIT?

HOW DOES WEATHER AFFECT DIFFERENT BODY KIT MATERIALS?

• Fiberglass may crack in extremely cold conditions or degrade over time with constant exposure to moisture and UV rays.
• Polyurethane handles temperature changes well and is less likely to crack in cold weather, but prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fading or warping if not properly protected.
• ABS Plastic can become brittle in very cold weather, potentially leading to cracking upon impact.
• Carbon Fiber is highly resistant to weather effects, though its resin coating can be damaged by UV rays if not properly protected with a UV-resistant coating. Regular maintenance and protective treatments can help mitigate weather-related wear and tear on any material.

IS CARBON FIBER WORTH THE COST?

CAN I PAINT ANY MATERIAL FOR MY BODY KIT?

• Fiberglass, ABS Plastic, and Polyurethane are all paintable and typically hold paint well with proper preparation.
• Carbon Fiber can also be painted, but many owners choose to leave it unpainted to showcase its unique texture. If you do decide to paint carbon fiber, it’s crucial to work with a professional who understands how to prepare and paint the material without damaging it. Always ensure the surface is properly primed and prepared to achieve the best results.

WHICH MATERIAL IS THE EASIEST TO INSTALL?