question

[Stealth_Vibe]

what is better the gel coated fiberglass body kit or a polyurethaine body kit as far as painting and installing i am unsure what type to buy

[ToolGuy]

I say the poly... Seems to me it would be more flexible like bumper fascias and forgiving if hit.

[Toasted7]

I was curious about that myself.

[Mrizzle05]

The urethane is better... my cavy had a front bomex urethane and i painted it white to match.I one day slammed into the back of a civic and all i did was share some spray paint with there bumper... and it just came off!!! Pheewww!I just repainted that area... good as new.fiberglass is really good too but pain in the but... when i get home ill post pics here of the rear when a puddle caught it!!! it was a sad day!

[Stealth_Vibe]

i thought that poly was easier to install but urethaing was easier to paint am i wrong are they both eaqually as easy

[Mrizzle05]

I think its cal polyurethane....then theres fiberglass...Fiberglass is easier to paint cuz its not a plastic with oils... i used lots of primer and a krylon (plastic) paint. for my fiberglass rear and sideskirts it was a lil bit of primer and paint.As far as install it depends on the car and if the bumper was made to match OEM holes or enough space to make your own.I had to make the urethane front work cuz it was a no name brand unfortunately.

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by Stealth_Vibe »i thought that poly was easier to install but urethaing was easier to paint am i wrong are they both eaqually as easyLet the "old man" clarify all of this for you guys!First off, there is fiberglass, which resembles cloth in it's natural form. The "gel coat" refers to the liquid resin that's used to lay up fiberglass, and used as an outside "finished" layer to give the fiberglass pieces a smooth and shiny-like finish. Fiberglass is easier to paint, as it only requires cleaning, sanding, primer and your color (and clear coat if using a 2-stage paint). But, depending on how thick the fiberglas layers are (and how many layers), your part will be very stiff and non-flexible. If the part was made correctly, and the fit is good, then this will not be that hard to install. But...if the part wasn't made very well, and it doesn't fit perfectly, then there will be a lot of time involved in cutting and adding material (usually bondo) to correct the fitment problem. If there are blemishes or irregularities in the surface, fiberglass can easily be block sanded, and bondo used as a filler, so it is easier to modify or customize.Polyurethane is made one of two ways: low pressure injection (which uses similar type molds as fiberglass parts), which squirts in two liquids (an isopolymer and catalyst) that have a chemical reaction (heat involved), and solidify to form the part. This is typically how most aftermarket body kits manufacturers make their parts; high pressure injection (which uses similar chemicals solutions) but is injected into steel or metal alloy molds using typically anywhere between 5-tons to 20-tons of pressure (also requiring a large investment in hydraulic presses). This is how todays urethane factory bumpers and other parts are made.Both processess use a "mold release" film, which can sometimes be silicone (very bad for painting), or most have gone to a wax-based mold release film. Either way, they both need to be washed with a detergent thoroughly before painting, and a "flex-agent" needs to be added to the primer, paint, and (if used) on the clear coat as well. There are primers and paints which already have the "flex-agent" added in, but will slightly increase the cost of materials when painting.Installation on the urethane parts are little easier, but only because thery are more flexible. Again, fit & finish depends on the manufacturer. But, make sure manufacturer has fairly thick parts (nothing thinner than 1/4"), and is secured thoroughly to the vehicle or has additional supports to stop sagging over time.Bottom line:Fiberglass:+'s = More rigid, so they hold their shape over time, and are easier to paint.-'s = A little harder to install, and unforgiving when hit.Polyurethane:+'s = Easier to install, and can take hit after hit, with only paint damage visible.-'s = A little more costly to prep and paint, and over time (if material thinner than 1/4") may sag without additional support. Will fade from UV if not painted.In most cases polyurethane will be a little more expensive than fibetrglass, but will hold up on your car a lot longer over time (just one hit to a low driveway or curb will cause enough damage to a fibergalass piece to need repaires. A urethane piece will only get the paint scratched off as a worst case scenario).I'm kind of partial to urethane myself, having been the design engineer, sales & marketing guy for Xenon back in the `80's. I hope this has helped you. If you have any other questions about this stuff, just ask, and I'll do my best to answer it for ya! Either way, go with a name brand company, and fit & finish should not be an issue!

[Stealth_Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »Let the "old man" clarify all of this for you guys!Bottom line:Fiberglass:+'s = More rigid, so they hold their shape over time, and are easier to paint.-'s = A little harder to install, and unforgiving when hit.Polyurethane:+'s = Easier to install, and can take hit after hit, with only paint damage visible.-'s = A little more costly to prep and paint, and over time (if material thinner than 1/4") may sag without additional support. Will fade from UV if not painted.!Well with all that information said and done do they make a good urethaine body kit for the vibe or only fiberglass and do you know of where i can get either or

[ballrub]

Well...here's what I'm aware of that's available now:This is the factory kit from GM Accessories (polyurethane) http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/ac...00608(Note: they do not show the two piece front air dam for the `05/`06, which I'm assuming looks almost identical to my air dam)Here's the RK Sport package (fiberglass) http://www.rksport.com/product...etailI know psychovibe has been working on a body kit http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=13532, but haven't read through the entire thread yet, and think it's still not available at the moment.Keep your eyes on the "Exteior" forums on this website. If and when anymore body kits become available, I'm sure you'll see it posted there!