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Ground Effects...
Should You Install Your Own?
To make your
car handle and look better you need the right car ground effects.
Use aero-dynamic
wings, spoilers, dams or skirts to get the down force plus the
stylish look you have been looking for. These car ground effects
features are not just pretty add-on's, they are designed to really
work on your car, truck, jeep or suv ! Generally, they are wind-tunnel
tested to generate huge rear down force to dramatically improve
traction and keep your vehicle stable at high speeds without draining
power from the engine.
You will probably
save a bundle if you buy car ground effects from distributors
carrying non OEM aftermarket brands (not the accessories offered
by the dealer). The quality is comparable and the cost is much
lower. If you install yourself you will save even more. But, should
you be installing car ground effects yourself? The answer depends
on your skills and on the type of part and material selected.
Car ground
effects products made in urethane and with simple designs are
generally easier to install because they are lightweight and flexible.
They usually come with double back 3M high strength tape which
bonds the parts to your car tightly. Some manufacturers (like
Wings West) offer great videos and detailed instructions on the
installation of ground effects for cars.
Products made
out of fiberglass or with more elaborate designs, such as design
style side skirts, require a lot of skills and experience. To
explain it is important to understand the full process.
Installation
is not the only step required in order to have a finished product.
Before final installation there is a "dry fitting" procedure
involved which requires experience in order to accomplish it properly.
Then there is the prepping procedure, installation... and of course
painting.
Dry fitting
refers to the procedure where the installer makes all the necessary
adjustment to the product in order to make it fit perfectly. It
involves trimming, grinding and filling gaps in order to have
the pieces fit the contour of the car. This is a procedure that
is best left to a professional "body man" who has done
this type of work before.
If you are
considering the purchase of car ground effects made out of fiberglass
or with elaborate designs find the right shop to do the installation
for you before you make the purchase to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Look for a someone with at least a full year's experience in installing
all types of ground effects in different materials. Using
body work pros who know their way around ground effects means
they'll be able to do the job in less time for less money, then
a someone with 30 years of experience but who has never installed
a car ground effect before.
You'll find
that a pro can do it a lot faster and cheaper then someone who
has no experience and you'll be a lot happier with the results
than if you attempted to do it yourself.
About
the Author...
Marc Deschamps is the editor of CarAccessoriesMagazine, a free
online publication dedicated to automotive accessories, car care
and related topics. Other articles full of information, tips and
advice can be found at http://www.car-accessories-magazine.com.
also
see -> Performance
Car Parts for Better Gas Mileage
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