Car body modification involves the use of different types of vehicle body kits to achieve the desired effect. For example, aesthetics and aerodynamics. Further, it includes performing different upgrades that change the car’s appearance.
When you perform a car tuning to achieve a custom car design, there is a chance that this will improve its value. Especially when you decide to trade it in or to resell it.
Therefore, car customization could prove to be of more benefits than you imagine. Although it is important for you to liaise with your insurance cover provider. Because when undertaking car tuning there are some modifications that affect insurance premiums.
Todays article looks at the modifications that the car body undergoes. In order to give you an idea of what to do to upgrade your vehicle.
Types of car body modification.
The automotive market has undergone a lot of changes over the years in relation to technology. Such that automotive aftermarket goods and service providers have brought innovative inputs to improve the vehicle manufacturer’s original equipment.
1] Vehicle body kits.
The vehicle leaves the manufacturing floor with everything it needs to serve the intended purpose. However, the owner may undertake car tuning to include some upgrades that suit their needs.
This involves some installations on the car body that are called vehicle body kits. Their functions include;
- Aerodynamics.
- Aesthetics.
- Enhancement of vehicle handling and stability by improving grounding.
These body kits are inclusive of the following;
a] Spoilers.
Spoilers are installed at the back end of the vehicle. As you’re driving, wind flows against the motion of your vehicle. This creates a resistance that causes the vehicle to loose speed. Therefore, installing spoilers helps to reduce this resistance.
Because spoilers split the wind moving against the vehicle into half. Afterwards, spoilers direct the airflow at the back of the vehicle upwards. This disrupts air flow which could be moving downwards and reduces the drag on the vehicle.
b] Fenders.
This car body modification is part of the widebody kit upgrade. It attaches to the part that covers the wheel well and it improves that frame.
In fact, some of its functions include protection of the vehicle suspension system parts. Because it prevents any particles and rock pebbles from entering the wheel well and the suspension.
Further, the size of the fenders that you install will determine the size of the tires you can get. In that, installing large fenders, can accommodate bigger tires. Therefore, allowing you to increase vehicle ground clearance.
c] Scoops.
Scoops attach to the hood of the vehicle. The car engine requires cooling in order to reach peak performance. Because fuel combustion and power output is compromised when the engine operates at high temperatures.
In fact, this car body modification is essential as it prevents engine overheating. Which could lead to costly damages. Scoops draw air that runs on top of the vehicle body and funnels it into the engine area for cooling purposes.
d] Lip kits.
They give the vehicle an aggressive and sporty appearance. Additionally, they are inclusive of front and rear bumper lips, spoilers and side skirts. Apart from an aesthetics effect they also improve vehicle handling by increasing the car’s center of gravity.
e] Bumper kits.
The aesthetics of the front and rear bumper can be improved using bumper body kits. In fact, they also increase the vehicle’s center of gravity which helps to improve handling.
Material that makes the bumper body kits includes carbon fiber, fiberglass and plastic. The best material amongst these ones is the carbon fiber.
f] Widebody kits.
This car body modification is common in race cars. It creates the effect of making a vehicle to appear wider. They are useful in improving a vehicle’s traction, appearance and aerodynamics.
Further, they help to improve the car’s center of gravity. Hence the reason why race cars install them. The effect of improved center of gravity is an improvement in handling.
Materials that make up the widebody kits are inclusive of plastic, fiberglass and carbon fiber. Examples of these body kits are inclusive of side skirts and flared fenders.
g] Full body kits.
This installation changes the entire appearance of your vehicle. A full body kit includes front and rear bumpers, side skirts, fenders, spoilers and full vehicle graphics.
Additionally, full body kits help to protect your vehicle from scrapings. The full body kits are available in for different cars and in deferring components. For example, carbon fiber parts. Therefore, you have a variety to choose from amongst them all.
2. Car detailing.
Car detailing is the process of improving the appearance of the vehicle by undertaking cleaning, car restoration and finishing. This goes beyond what happens at the car wash.
Car detailing is worth our attention when it comes to counting vehicle body upgrades. Though it has nothing to do with the car body modifications that changes appearance. It improves the car body aesthetics from what it was previously.
Car detailing takes interest in the following areas;
- Exterior washing.
This includes the use of soap water and cleaning cotton-fiber cloths. The goal is to remove anything that is stuck onto the car’s surface yet it doesn’t belong there.
- Polishing and waxing.
Most people do not know how to differentiate car polish vs wax. Polishing involves working on the exterior in order to remove any swirls and scratches. Afterwards, there is the application of a protective wax coat to keep the paint in a good condition for a long time.
- Interior detailing.
This includes working on the vehicle’s windows, carpet, seats and dashboard. Afterwards, any worn out areas are restored and it gives a fresh new look to the vehicle’s interior.
- Headlight restoration.
Headlights covers tend to wear out after a long time of use. The headlight seals become loose and moisture starts getting inside and the headlight cover looses its new shiny appearance. Restoration includes removing moisture from headlights and removing scratches.
- Engine detailing.
This is cleaning of the engine area in order to get rid of dirt particles and grime. This unclogs the engine and improves performance.
3. Car paint job.
It involves the application of paint to a vehicle. This new paint could match the old one or it could be a new color. This process of automotive painting is done after the old paint has undergone degrading. For example due to dents.
The process starts by preparing the car paint preparation through sanding. Next we fill the dents and scratches and then apply the paint coat. Afterwards there is the application of a protective clear coat.
4. Car window tinting.
The main reason for tinting car windows is in order to reduce the amount of sunlight entering the vehicle. Window tinting is also an effective way of increasing vehicle privacy and aesthetics.
Further, it helps to improve a vehicle’s interior temperatures. Alongside preventing any damage that is caused inside the car due to penetrating UV rays.
It involves the application of a thin transparent film made from polyester inside the vehicle’s windows. Tints are available in different shades of color.
5. Body panel replacement.
Next we have a body panel replacement in the car body modification. Car body panels are of different types. For example, inner and outer body panels. Outer body panels are inclusive of horizontal and vertical panels.
When undertaking car body modifications, you can choose to change either of the outer body panels. For example, horizontal panels include roof, hood and deck lids.
Apart from occasions when this panel is damaged, you can perform a replacement for aesthetics reasons. Damaged panels will require you to remove them completely or use fillers to repair the damaged parts.
6. Car wrapping.
This is one of the best and most affordable methods of temporarily changing a car’s exterior appears. Additionally, it also helps to protect the original car paint job.
Car wrapping involves the use of a vinyl film or wrap. In fact, there is a close relation between car wrapping and car decal. The difference is that, unlike car decal, car wrapping does not involve many different materials like plastics.
7. Car airbrushing.
This involves the process of spraying a fine mist of paint on the car’s surface. It is a modern car paint job technology that gives a better detailed outcome when creating custom designs.
Further, airbrush technology involves the use of compressed air to spray paint on the car body. Airbrushing accommodates the use of different paint types. Afterwards a clear protective coat is applied to protect the vehicle’s paint.
8. Automotive fabrication.
Fabrication involves the use of different techniques. For example, metalwork. During car body modification, automotive fabrication will include the modification of existing parts or the creation of totally new parts.
The goal of this will be to improve aesthetics or to enhance vehicle performance. For example, the fabrication of new exhaust systems will be for better performance purposes. This is one of the methods that totally and permanently changes the vehicle.
Further, automotive fabrication will allow the use of different materials in order to achieve the owner’s specific preferences. For example, some of the materials that can be used will include carbon fiber, steel or aluminum.
9. Auto body repair.
This involves the repair of damaged parts of the vehicle’s body. The work included involves;
- Fixing dents.
- Scratches repair.
- Replacement and repair of broken parts.
- Re-aligning of the vehicle frame.
It does not necessarily fit in as a car body modification. But the car may have a different body appearance once the auto body repair process is done.