RevStyle.co.uk

How To Fit A Body Kit

April 30th, 2010 |

Author: admin

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FITTING BODY KITS

The following guide is for information purposes only. Due to the nature of fibreglass manufacturing, fitting, trimming, filling, grinding, and prepping may be necessary before final installation and painting of the body kit. We therefore recommend professional installation by an entity that has experience in installing automotive aftermarket fibreglass products. As with most body kit retailers, we always recommend having your body kit fitted by a professional bodyshop. However, many of our customers successfully fit their own kits, and we’re always asked about the process so here it is.

Please ensure however that you only tackle the job yourself if you have the required level of competency, as once altered in any way, bodykits cannot be returned. Remember that if you prep, prime, paint, drill into, install, or modify the part in any way whatsoever, you assume full liability for the part and may jeopardise your ability to install the part appropriately.

INSTALLATION OF COMPLETE REPLACEMENT BUMPERS

Remove all factory bumpers, licence plates, brackets, mud flaps, factory indicators, side repeaters, car mats and side skirts that are either being replaced, or will obstruct the fitting of your body kit. Bear in mind that the parts you are removing have a value, so either sell them on Ebay or store them in case you need to return your car to standard.

Pre-fit (dry fit) the body kit bumpers or panels. It is recommended that two or more people help with this part of the installation. To avoid scratches when pre-fitting be sure to mask or tape off appropriate surface areas. Aftermarket parts may need to be sanded, trimmed or filled to ensure a perfect fit. Keep in mind that if the car on which the parts are being installed has been in any sort of accident or been through any other alteration whatsoever, it may increase the time frame and/or complexity of the pre-fitment procedure.

Remove the aftermarket bumper from the car. At this point, the body kit parts can be painted if preferred, in which case please refer to the PREPARATION FOR PAINT section below. Otherwise, please follow the remaining installation steps and prepare the parts for paint following the installation.

If grill mesh has been purchased for the body kit, follow the procedures below in the mesh section and proceed with the remaining installation steps. Otherwise, simply skip this step.

After parts are pre-fitted appropriately, mark holes to be drilled in final fitment process. This can be done with a permanent marker or paint pen. Body kits usually use the same mounting points as standard bumpers. For the side skirts, normal mounting points are in both the front and rear wheel arch cavities. Mounting points for the rear bumper can normally be found on each quarter panel, under the boot lid, and between the rear lights.

After all appropriate holes are marked, remove the aftermarket bumper. Next, use a drill bit to drill marked holes. Take great care when drilling to avoid damaging your bumper.

Place the body kit bumper back on the car. It is recommended that two people help in this process. Realign the drilled holes to the appropriate position and use factory mounting bolts to secure the bumper. Do not over-tighten any screws, but fasten the bumper up enough to ensure a snug fit. In some cases mounting might require the use of double-sided tape, epoxy, countersunk rivets, or countersunk screws. Extra screws, rivets, or self-tapping screws may be necessary to ensure the stability of the bumpers.

FITTING BUMPER SPOILERS, EXTENSIONS OR VALANCES

Tape off the area of the bumper(s) where the lip is going to be installed. Pre-fit the lip to ensure fitment, then remove lip as well as the tape on the bumper.

At this point, the body kit parts can be painted if preferred, in which case please refer to the PREPARATION FOR PAINT section below. Otherwise, please follow the remaining installation steps and prepare the parts for paint following the installation.

If grille mesh has been supplied with the body kit, follow the procedures below in the mesh section and proceed with remaining installation steps. Otherwise, simply skip this step.

Clean the area of the bumper where the extension is going to be mounted. A grease remover is recommended for this process. Follow the same step to clean the inside of the lip being installed.

Use industrial strength double-sided tape to adhere the lip to the factory bumper. In general, the width of tape recommended is ½ inch to 1 inch wide. Run the tape along the inside portion of the lip, and then line up and mount the lip to the bumper.

Use self-tapping screws inside the wheel arches to ensure the adherence of the lip to the factory bumper. We recommend two screws in each corner of the spoiler.

FITTING MESH TO BUMPERS OR SIDE SKIRTS

Remove the bumper on which the mesh is going to be installed. It may be necessary to trim the mesh in order for it to fit optimally in any given area of the body kit.

Bend the edges of the mesh to a 90-degree angle to create a lip about one inch wide to adhere to the inside of the bumper or side skirt.

Adhere the mesh to the fibreglass bumper using the folded lip created in the previous step as point of adherence. After performing this ‘glueing’ process, allow time for the adhesive to dry before mounting the bumper back on the car.

PREPARATION FOR PAINT

Dry sand the bumper (400-grit sandpaper is recommended). Sand until any protruding blemishes are toned down. If there are any pinholes, gaps, gashes or imperfections in the bumper, fill them with body filler and allow to dry.

Lightly sand the filled areas of the bumper (preferably with 600-grit sandpaper or something similar). Sand until the part has a very smooth, even surface.

Before applying primer, the parts need to be degreased and cleaned. Use lacquer thinner, acetone, or isopropyl alcohol and clean the parts thoroughly.

The parts are ready for primer once these steps have been followed. Once the primer has been applied, allow time for it to dry. Then wet sand the part (600-grit sandpaper is best). At this point, the parts are ready for paint.