IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING BODY STYLING PARTS
Fitting a body kit to your car is the best way to gain maximum visual impact and make your car more individual. There are a huge range of body kits available in the UK, so even if you drive a common model such as a Fiat Punto or Citroen Saxo, you can still find a body kit that makes you stand out from the crowd. Bear in mind that a bodykit is a major modification and so should be well planned. Use this guide to help you get it right.
THE FINAL EFFECT
Your first consideration should be the final look you are trying to achieve. Without this in mind, selecting components for your car will be very difficult. You may have seen a body kit that you like, or perhaps seen a kit on another car and don't know who makes it or what it is called. Magazines are awash with ideas for bodykits, as are the major modified car shows. If you're really not sure, here are a few design options:
1. Subtle styling effects
If you want to personalise the look of your car without seriously altering it's appearance, a subtle body kit or body kit extension may be the answer for you. Many of our customers are modified car enthusiasts at heart but don't have a social circle or a boss that would appreciate a mental, jap-kitted beast. That is where the subtle approach comes into it's own. These kits are becoming more popular, and as a result European and Far Eastern manufacturers are producing an ever increasing range, particularly for newer, mass-market cars such as the Astra pictured here. Until recently the only subtle body kits for older cars were boring, "seen it all before" affairs. We are always working hard to find the latest body kits available, and in particular subtle body kits for older cars as per customer requests.
2. Wild bodystyling kits
For the more adventurous modified car enthusiast, a wild jap style, euro style or wide arched body kit may be up your street. Nothing will turn heads faster, however be prepared for others to either love or hate your creation. You will be branded a "boy racer" for sure! This is also the realm of mad flip and candy paints, airbrushing and other custom paint effects. We have a wide range of more extreme body kits, and as we source many of these kits from Europe, often you will find the next big thing here before you see it in the magazines.
3. Mix and match
Many of our customers customise their body kit by using components from different kits. Body kit components are obviously manufactured to look right as a complete kit but often rules can be broken. There are no right and wrong answers as only personal opinion decides what looks good. You could even choose components intended for other cars, but only do this if you know what you're doing. You can mix and match front and rear bumpers, side skirts and spoilers to your hearts content but be careful with wheel arch extensions. Sometimes arch extensions are an essential component of a kit as they join for example, the front bumper to the side skirts and would look strange without the arches. Study product images carefully to avoid this trap.
4. Body kits on a budget
The cost of buying a body kit has reduced a lot over the past few years. Many of our suppliers are based in Europe and use economies of scale to drive down the cost of production and distribution, but the fact remains that fitting a body kit is a major modification to carry out and so comes at a cost. The best way is to consider what has to be bought together and what can be added later. For example spoilers, bonnets and in some cases wheel arches can be added after you have fit the main body kit. This is more work and inconvenience, but if the additional components can be sprayed prior to fitting, and if you are friendly with a local body shop, this will help to break up the cost. Another obvious way to cut costs is to buy a discounted body kit. We have loads of offers on all the time so check our body kits section for the best prices. The only thing we do not recommend is fitting the kit yourself. If you're going to go to the expense of buying a body kit, get it fitted by a professional.
BODY KIT MATERIALS AVAILABLE
The staple material for body kit manufacture is fibreglass, also known as GRP (glass reinforced polyester). There are various reasons for this, not least the fact that fibreglass is relatively easy to work with and produces reliable results when handled by a professional. Other materials in common use are polyurethane, a harder plastic that is more resistant to damage, and carbon fibre. Carbon fibre body kits are stronger and lighter than conventional kits, but the cost is prohibitive and as a result there is only a very limited range available. Many enthusiasts argue that the weight saving is more significant if the bonnet and boot lid are replaced, therefore they replace these panels with carbon fibre and fit a fibreglass or polyurethane body kit.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
A fully kitted car may look great if done properly, but don't forget that you have to live with your car as well. First off remember to inform your insurers otherwise your car will not be covered in the event of an accident. Consider switching to a specialist insurer if necessary. Also think about your ride height. If you live in the country or on a road plagued with speed humps, can you still get enough ground clearance with a body kit fitted? Also, what are you going to use the car for? If you use your car for work, do you need to consider the image portrayed of you and your employer? Do you live in a high crime area? Your car will become more attractive to thieves so consider garaging the car or upgrading the security system. Also, many front bumpers and bonnets will alter airflow and therefore affect how your engine cools down. Ensure that your car does not overheat and if it does, consider a bonnet scoop or some vents to improve airflow. Finally, remember that whilst standard bumpers are usually padded, aftermarket bumpers are not, and will not provide the same protection in an accident.
A NOTE ON DELIVERY
If you drive a popular model of car and buy a kit that is manufactured or held in stock in the UK, your wait should be short. Many retailers now source products from Europe, more specifically Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands. If this is the case and the kit is not in stock here in the UK, you may have to wait up to 28 days for delivery.
Kits can become damaged during transit so ensure you accept delivery personally and check each component before signing for the goods. This is particularly important if you do not fully trust the retailer. Look for snapped fibreglass, hairline cracks and any evidence of warping. Only when you're satisfied with your delivery should you sign for it.
FITTING YOUR BODY KIT
The majority of body kits (including ours) are manufactured from fibreglass (also known as GRP). Fibreglass kits or kit components such as bumpers, side skirts etc will almost always require a professional to fit the parts to your car. Contrary to claims made by many retailers, simply bolting the part on to your car will rarely produce a good fit. A professional on the other hand will smooth the parts into your existing body work to produce a seamless finish. We cannot stress enough the importance of getting an experienced professional with the right skills and materials to fit the kit for you.
Please note that all orders taken for body styling parts are accepted on the assumption that the buyer understands what is involved. Returns will not be accepted on the basis that the fit is less than perfect as this is the nature of fibreglass parts. This is easily rectified by an experienced body shop yet it is a factor that is out of our control.
Every major town and city in the UK is home to at least one bodyshop with the right skills and equipment to fit your body kit. Prices can vary so call around for quotes. Not all bodyshops fit kits so be prepared for a few rejections. When you find a bodyshop, ask for testimonials or photos of their previous work. If they have a good track record they will proudly show you pictures of previous customers cars. If they have no pictures with no good reason, be wary. There are a number of have-a-go cowboys out there and you don't want to fall foul of one of them. Have a look at the major magazines, or ask your friends for recommendations.
Fitting a body kit is a lengthy process so expect your car to be off the road for a while. You may want to consider borrowing a car or buying a cheap runaround whilst you wait for your car to be returned. |
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