View Poll Results: Fiber or Poly?
FG
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Fiberglass vs Polyurethane!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Beale AFB, Ca
Fiberglass vs Polyurethane Body kits!!
Was wondering if you guys could give me the +'s & -'s for the both body kit types. The obvious one I know is that PU is more $$$. But what else? Which do you prefer?
Wanderer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,793
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From: Not so Sunny Cali
Well, about 90% of the bodykits out there are made of fiberglass. So whatever bodykit you're looking at, it's most likely only in fiberglass (there are a few exceptions, but mostly to just front bumpers). It's cheap to produce and lightweight.
The negative things about them is that when they break, more often than not, you have to junk it. It's probably cheaper to buy a new bumper than it is to repair it. And sometimes fitment is horrendous.
Urethane body kits are a little on the rare side. You already know that it's a little more costly than fiberglass (it costs more to make). Usually urethane is reserved for lip kits, but there have been a few manufacturers that offer full bumper replacements in urethane.
They're fitment is superb and its extremely resilient. Only drawbacks that I can think of is that they tend to sag over time, they weigh more than it's fiberglass counterparts, and they cost more. I think that they even cost more to paint because they have to add a flexing agent to the paint.
And now there is ABS plastic. I haven't heard of any full bumper replacements made of this material, just lip kits. This is the same plastic that your computer monitor, or telephone is made of. It has the lightweight characteristics of fiberglass, but a little more resistant to impact. It almost has the flex of urethane, and still can be manipulated.
The negative things about them is that when they break, more often than not, you have to junk it. It's probably cheaper to buy a new bumper than it is to repair it. And sometimes fitment is horrendous.
Urethane body kits are a little on the rare side. You already know that it's a little more costly than fiberglass (it costs more to make). Usually urethane is reserved for lip kits, but there have been a few manufacturers that offer full bumper replacements in urethane.
They're fitment is superb and its extremely resilient. Only drawbacks that I can think of is that they tend to sag over time, they weigh more than it's fiberglass counterparts, and they cost more. I think that they even cost more to paint because they have to add a flexing agent to the paint.
And now there is ABS plastic. I haven't heard of any full bumper replacements made of this material, just lip kits. This is the same plastic that your computer monitor, or telephone is made of. It has the lightweight characteristics of fiberglass, but a little more resistant to impact. It almost has the flex of urethane, and still can be manipulated.
Wanderer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,793
Likes: 0
From: Not so Sunny Cali
Originally posted by cobbcustomz
^
Nice writeup
^
Nice writeup
I was in the same boat he was when I was looking for a body kit. I originally got the Xenon body kit because I wanted something that could withstand daily driving, but I never got to install it on my car. I ended up getting the buddy club kit for my ride.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg, PA
I have the wings west avenger kit on my car, it is made out of urethane. My bumpers are real heavy, but i know they can with stand alot. I hit a dog or some kind of small animal at about 65, the only damage i had was it went threw my front grille. It actually tore the heavy stainless mesh, but it did not rip the screws out, also chipped some paint off. If i would of had a fiberglass front end, it would of been in pieces.
Administrator ☂
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 56,734
Likes: 3
From: NY
Originally posted by randomtask77
Well, about 90% of the bodykits out there are made of fiberglass. So whatever bodykit you're looking at, it's most likely only in fiberglass (there are a few exceptions, but mostly to just front bumpers). It's cheap to produce and lightweight.
The negative things about them is that when they break, more often than not, you have to junk it. It's probably cheaper to buy a new bumper than it is to repair it. And sometimes fitment is horrendous.
Urethane body kits are a little on the rare side. You already know that it's a little more costly than fiberglass (it costs more to make). Usually urethane is reserved for lip kits, but there have been a few manufacturers that offer full bumper replacements in urethane.
They're fitment is superb and its extremely resilient. Only drawbacks that I can think of is that they tend to sag over time, they weigh more than it's fiberglass counterparts, and they cost more. I think that they even cost more to paint because they have to add a flexing agent to the paint.
And now there is ABS plastic. I haven't heard of any full bumper replacements made of this material, just lip kits. This is the same plastic that your computer monitor, or telephone is made of. It has the lightweight characteristics of fiberglass, but a little more resistant to impact. It almost has the flex of urethane, and still can be manipulated.
Well, about 90% of the bodykits out there are made of fiberglass. So whatever bodykit you're looking at, it's most likely only in fiberglass (there are a few exceptions, but mostly to just front bumpers). It's cheap to produce and lightweight.
The negative things about them is that when they break, more often than not, you have to junk it. It's probably cheaper to buy a new bumper than it is to repair it. And sometimes fitment is horrendous.
Urethane body kits are a little on the rare side. You already know that it's a little more costly than fiberglass (it costs more to make). Usually urethane is reserved for lip kits, but there have been a few manufacturers that offer full bumper replacements in urethane.
They're fitment is superb and its extremely resilient. Only drawbacks that I can think of is that they tend to sag over time, they weigh more than it's fiberglass counterparts, and they cost more. I think that they even cost more to paint because they have to add a flexing agent to the paint.
And now there is ABS plastic. I haven't heard of any full bumper replacements made of this material, just lip kits. This is the same plastic that your computer monitor, or telephone is made of. It has the lightweight characteristics of fiberglass, but a little more resistant to impact. It almost has the flex of urethane, and still can be manipulated.
Originally posted by randomtask77
I ended up getting the buddy club kit for my ride.
I ended up getting the buddy club kit for my ride.
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9Y0 Cayenne GTS
E46 ///M3
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9Y0 Cayenne GTS
E46 ///M3
YD4 MDX - SOLD
EG Ferio - SOLD
FA Ferio - Returned
www.NelsonLee.net