ABS plastic vs Polyurethane vs fibreglass

[kenske]

Hey everyone, i tried the search function but could find a thread dedicated to this.

Just wondering what are the main differences between the above types of material in lip kits. The pros and cons etc

I read that ABS plastic is the hard solid plastic and that the bumpers were made from it but theyre sorta flexible. and polyurethane is the soft one. and fibreglass breaks etc. just very confusing.

Thanks for all your answers!

[Raztaz]

ABS plastic - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene
Polyurethane - http://plastics.inwiki.org/Polyurethane
Talks about there uses and some issues with em.
PU, very strong and flexible :thumbsup:

[kenske]

cheers Raztaz!

Also, if i could hear your feedback from using these lips and installation etc

[M@lew]

I think PU is the best for lips since it doesn't break as easily as fibreglass. Fibreglass is pretty fragile and cracks relatively easily. I haven't had experience with ABS Plastic.

[ksl]

Currently I'm using the ABS plastic Bumper Bar, they're excellent, as they can bend a little bit, which they don't crack easily. Used fibreglass bumper before, IMO they're heavier than the ABS plastic, and once you hit a gutter or hump, they tend to crack easily, and they break into pieces.
In the long run, I will choose the ABS plastic, never try the PU, so can't give any comments. :)

[dsp26]

not many bodykit shops in Aus make Duraflex (PU) kits yet... fibreglass is shit.

but i have seen some nice Honda lips in Duraflex for sale on eBay which work out cheaper shipped than any shop here. PU you can bend A LOT...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-98-97-Civic-Type-R-Poly-Urethane-Front-Lip-2-3-4-JDM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36475QQihZ009QQitem Z190300567455QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


But if you can get an ABS like this then why not.. i don't know anyone else selling them here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-98-97-Civic-JDM-Mugen-Front-Lip-2-3-4Drs-EK9-CTR-ABS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38658QQihZ025QQitem Z380118322270QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

And ABS you can do this:
http://www.streetracinglife.com/ebay/UrethaneLip/PUTwist.jpg

[MWAKU]

yea fibreglass is pretty pooor

but yeah, im using a fibreglass front lip atm? not experiencing any problems? and i have given it a hard time, scraping and bumping into shit, no cracks...

everyone makes it seem like its fragile like glass

[dsp26]

yea fibreglass is pretty pooor

but yeah, im using a fibreglass front lip atm? not experiencing any problems? and i have given it a hard time, scraping and bumping into shit, no cracks...

everyone makes it seem like its fragile like glass


yeah i know what you mean... its decent until you find something A LOT better... kinda like tyres every cheap nankang or kumho is decent for the money until people discover RE001s,T1Rs,AD07, etc...

[Raztaz]

im using ABS plastic lip now, man its such a b*tch to put on when its not a snug fit

[simonnowis]

im using ABS plastic lip now, man its such a b*tch to put on when its not a snug fit

warm it up with a heater or hairdryer. but yeh, replicas rarely fit perfect.

[kenske]

thanks for the input guys!

cos i was contemplating on getting PU from an OH member or ABS plastic from jdmyard, not sure which is the safer option regarding fitting and daily use. the OH member said that ABS may crack when you fit it on? but none here have said theyve had any cracking problems. however im leaning towards the PU over ABS

keep the discussion going as im sure a lot of people here would like to know the differences and opinions! the more the merrier!

[Raztaz]

get the PU. ABS lips can crack (havnt heard of it doing so when being fitted though), doesnt usually happen but ive seen it. I would of got a PU one if i had the $$ at the time

[defect]

polyurethane ftw!

[An41]

get PU, my ABS started to crack on the side where you mount the screws same with a few people here.

[02gzm]

polyurethane ftw!

x2!

Polyurethane is very flexible and is a lot more forgiving. When I got my lip shipped over from the states it was rolled up in a box about 30cm long heh. Freight was cheap :thumbsup:

[T-onedc2]

ABS is the same material as your OEM bumper.
PU is extremely flexible and won't crack but heavier than ABS from memory.

My mate had one on his DC2, while driving at 100km/h a bird flew into it ripping it downwards under the car and ground a nice big chunk out of it, hence it was ruined. But that's just random.

[keshi]

Does anyone know which one will be better after painting it in same as colour cause my experience one of them tend to crack the paint so easily