Hey all. I've got a 2001 Chevy Cavalier and I'm trying to piece together a body kit to give this car an mean and agressive look, but when it comes to what material they are made of, which is better? Fiberglass or Urethane? Any info on this would help immensly. Thanks!
Project Resurrection is in full swing!
Yea, I know. I found a kick ass looking kit from Gravana, but I don't want to mix and match different materials, so I'll just have to go with my original idea afterall. Thanks for the input.
Project Resurrection is in full swing!
Just for a little input on the materials.
Fiberglass is easy to paint, and match better to the car. Also if it is hand-laid, which most are, are strong to a certain point. Some times fiberglass kits take more time to be applied to the vehicle since it is a bit rigid. The down side is that most of the time the kit will shatter or crack if hit hard, such as slamming the pavement with a lowered car. The best thing about a fiberglass kit is if it gets damaged, it can be quickly replaced due to its relative cheap price.
Urethan is much more stronger than fiberglass. Painting takes a bit more effort than fiberglass though. Urethan is also much more flexible and in some ways, easier to attach to your car. Urethan also costs more than fiberglass but will last longer than a fiberglass kit.
Its all personal preference though.
Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.
Project Resurrection is in full swing!
There's nothing wrong with mixing materials. I have a urethane front, fiberglass sides, and a duraflex (glass/urethane hybrid) rear.
After doing a few kit installations at body shop I used to work at I have a few pointers. First and most important. DONT BUY THE CHEAP EBAY KITS unless from a private individual. The kit makers on ebay are on ebay for a reason. The price is cheap and product is too. With that said Ill just add that with kits you get what you pay for no matter which material you use. When you buy a kit or pieces to one always ask the company what grade kit it is. The better the grade the better and easier it is to install. As with all kits exspecially fiberglass theres always fit issues that require sanding, bondo, trimming, drilling, ect. Kits are made from molds and sometimes the measurements are a little off. I would say go with urethane at least in the front . If the side skirts attach to the bottom of the car and do not come up the fender or quarter panel then go with a urethane. If they come up the fender and quarter go with a fiberglass. There are some kit makers that do make ready to fit kits but they are hard to find. If you cant find those expect alot of frustration if doing it yourself or to shell out a few more dollars then estimated at the body shop. One last thing is in the front you will lose your bumper support on most kits. Try to get the shop or yourself to take the time to measure the bumper and fabricate somekind of support. It will pay off in the long run.
urethane r much stronger....my friend totalled his car but his body kit made it only had a lil crake in the front bumper and it was saved.....
but i got a fiberglass kit and i didn't have prob with the fitment of it.....
urethane is more flexible while fiberglass wont flex and usually cracks. However in a fiberglass kit repairs are usually easier even if you take a whole chunk off a good shop can just fiberglass another piece into into and bond it together. At least in the front i would go with a urethane because the front is going to take impacts and scratching and the extra flex will pay off.
front is crucial....if you daily drive it...I highly recomend urethane....sides and rear you can get away with f/g easily but front is by far the piece to take the most hits...you'll appreciate the urethane when you are doin 70 on a highway and can't avoid a groundhog....I hit one in my streetfire kit and while it made a LOUD noise...nothing was damaged...2 points for flex haha
thank you asll so very much for the info. i appreciate it.
Project Resurrection is in full swing!
