Comments on How to Have a Body Kit Installed

I have a body kit and ever since it's been on the car I've spent more and more money on it. They just seem to be so flimsy for the price that is charged. If you're thinking about getting one, make sure you have plenty of money!

If you have hopefully chosen a shop before you've bought the kit, talk to both the shop and the company you're buying from about having the kit mailed to the shop. When dealing with full kits (especially ones with hoods), transporting them to the shop can turn into a hassle. So it's best to make things a bit easier for yourself.

I have a body kit and ever since it's been on the car I've spent more and more money on it. They just seem to be so flimsy for the price that is charged. If you're thinking about getting one, make sure you have plenty of money!

If you have hopefully chosen a shop before you've bought the kit, talk to both the shop and the company you're buying from about having the kit mailed to the shop. When dealing with full kits (especially ones with hoods), transporting them to the shop can turn into a hassle. So it's best to make things a bit easier for yourself.

If you do decide to get a body kit, let me tell you, it is a real pain. You have to get used to the kit. Make sure you are really careful with dips and holes or ramps, especially if your car is lowered. I decided to do it all myself, since I worked a little bit at a paint shop. The first day I had finished painting my car and installed the kit I cracked the front bumper. I have repainted and fixed my front bumper 3 times and my side skirt 2 times. I managed to pull of a job ranging from $1,500 - $2,500 under $450. It helps to get as much information as you can on kits so you know what you are getting in to. Think of the future repairs you may have to do.

If you buy a high quality kit you will save money (if a professional is installing it) and time (if you're installing it). High quality kits fit better, they have fewer blemishes that will need to be repaired, and they are stronger (therefore they will last longer) and more durable.

If you live an a smaller town, you may want to consider looking for a shop in a bigger city. Some mechanics in smaller towns don't even know what a body kit is.

Please don't get it installed without painting it at the same time. When I see cars driving around with the matte-grey colored unpainted kits, everyone laughs at them. So if you do get a kit, please for the sake of your own dignity, get it painted before you take your car out.

It helps to ask if the body shop has repaired Corvettes. This usually means they know about fiberglass. Remember, this type of work is more of an art than a science so choose wisely.

If you have hopefully chosen a shop before you've bought the kit, talk to both the shop and the company you're buying from about having the kit mailed to the shop. When dealing with full kits (especially ones with hoods), transporting them to the shop can turn into a hassle. So it's best to make things a bit easier for yourself.

If you live an a smaller town, you may want to consider looking for a shop in a bigger city. Some mechanics in smaller towns don't even know what a body kit is.

Expect that if you bought a cheap body kit (for example, on eBay), the fitment won't be perfect. So, make sure the work is either guaranteed, or you know that he knows what he's doing with fiberglass. Also, like any auto work, make sure you get a written receipt beforehand, and a guaranteed date that the work will be finished. I've seen cars put off from being finished for a month because the customer didn't get a guaranteed date.

It helps to ask if the body shop has repaired Corvettes. This usually means they know about fiberglass. Remember, this type of work is more of an art than a science so choose wisely.

If you don't want to spend $1000 painting your whole car when you install a body kit, then this might be helpful. Somewhere on your door panel is a number that represents the color of the car's original paint. You have to go to a local body shop and show them the number and they will paint the kit so it matches your car color.