FRP, GRP, Carbon, Urethane!!?? I'm confused....

[glrnet]

Ok guys, help please. I'm considering various body work mods (don't tell Will tho ) and I think I've finally decided which styles/products I prefer but I need help as to which material they should be or should not be manufactured from. The mods I'm considering are front lip, side skirts, rear bumper and or rear diffuse, rear spoiler and I have no idea which of the above materials are appropriate for which mod. Any help/advice gratefully received unless it's from Spursmaddave!! Thanks for reading.

[RisingPower]

Isn't urethane the most durable followed by FRP? But urethane being heavier than FRP?

[Roo]

Grp or gfrp - glass fibre reinforced plastic. Rigid strength depends on thickness - cheap to manufacture and repair. Is hard with little give in it. Tends to be more likly to split under impact. Quality of manufacture can make a big difference in strength. I have had a lot of trouble with my frp spoiler. It was already fitted and i suspect cheap!

 

Urethane what oem stuff is made of normally. Has occasionally been known to sag but much more resiliant and heavier on average than grp. Used in most bumpers etc as is resiliant to bumps.

 

Frp... Fibre reinforced plastic. ..... Depends on the fibre may be carbon or glass (see grp).

 

Carbon... Normally frp and coated with a clear coat. Carbon is very rigid and strong but not as indestructable as you may believe, it can be brittle in some cases. Some carbon weaves also use kevlar or other materials which makes it more resiliant. And carbon looks sweeeeeet......

 

Generaly you get what you pay for so way up initial cost vs how much hammer its going to have and what it will look like.