5 Steps to a Tastefully Modified Car
5 Steps to a Tastefully Modified Car
We’ve all seen that one simple, but super nice car in our neighborhood. You know the one we’re talking about - simple, clean, just tastefully modified enough to make it stand out. It’s nothing exotic, but it’s enough to make even the non-car enthusiasts notice and think “Wow, that’s a nice car” when it pulls up. We’re here to help you be that guy (or girl) in the neighborhood to help you stand out from the crowd.
1. Color – Paint or Wrap?
The first step to a great look is a high quality finish, whether that be wrap or paint. Remember, quality is of the utmost importance. If you love the current color of your vehicle, consider a paint correction to remove any scratches and swirls in the paint. Even new cars often require a paint correction which will really bring that color to life and give you the deep finish it should have left the showroom with.
Want to change the color up? Color Change Wraps are a great way to change the color or finish of your vehicle. Not only is a new paint job expensive, it is also permanent and can often severely diminish the value of your vehicle. Quality color change wraps come in a variety of colors and finishes and are completely removable, like they were never even there. They are a great alternative and much cheaper than a high-quality paint job.
While we’re talking about color, don’t forget to consider getting rid of some of that chrome. New vehicles often come with a lot of chrome trim, and sometimes it can be a little too much. A Chrome Delete is the process of wrapping chrome trim or other chrome areas on the vehicle in a gloss or matte black finish for an added sleek touch. It’s not always necessary to get rid of all the chrome, so don’t be afraid to play around with different ideas to see what you think looks best!
2. Wheels & Tires
Picking the right wheel & tire combination is essential to a tastefully modified car. There a quite a few things to consider, but we’ll keep it as simple as we can. Aside from the exact specs for a wheel to fit on your vehicle, wheel size is the first thing you want to look at. Should you go an inch bigger? An inch smaller? Same size, but different design? Do you want a wider wheel for a more aggressive look? There can be a lot to consider and it’s not always easy to picture what these options would look like in your head. Check forum sites regarding your vehicle to see what sizes others are putting on their vehicle and choose which size fits your preference. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask a professional to point you in the right direction!
Next is the style of the wheel which completely depends on your own style. Do you want something different that will pop? Something aggressive? Or do you want something that looks similar to the OEM wheels with a few added touches? – we call this OEM+. A lot of spokes or something simple? We always remind our clients, the more complex the wheel, the more time consuming to maintain!
Last, you can’t drive on those new wheels without tires! Picking a tire size that fits should be fairly simple and we go over how to read wheel & tire sizes here. However, right now, we’re talking about aesthetic, comfort, and grip. Most of this is going to come from the size of the tire sidewall. A thicker sidewall is going to give you a more “race car” like look with a little more comfort and grip in the corners, while a thinner tire is going to give you more of a “show car” like look with less ride comfort and grip. Find a balance that’s good for you and always go with a quality, reputable tire. Never cheap out on what keeps your vehicle planted to the road.
3. Suspension
While many cars don’t need to be lowered, even the slightest suspension adjustment can make a world of a difference on a car with nice wheels & tires. Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as a lowering module for vehicles with air suspension. Other times it can be a set of lowering springs or coilovers so your vehicle sits just right. Air suspension kits will also let you adjust your suspension as needed. You want to go low enough to close the gap between the fender and your tire, but not so low that you scrape on speed bumpers or normal daily entrance/exits. A half inch to an inch is often the perfect amount. Remember, adjusting your ride height can effect ride quality and tire wear as well, so always be sure to have your alignment returned to the recommended spec after suspension work.
4. Aero Accessories
When it comes to aero accessories, the first thing to consider is your budget. Simple aero can start at a couple hundred dollars, while full carbon kits can range upwards of several thousands. A tastefully modified car keeps it simple – front lip, rear diffuser, and a nice trunk wing. If your budget allows for it, carbon fiber is always a great contrast to both gloss and matte finishes. If not, gloss black is always a great choice. Color matched accessories are sometimes available, but slight contrast is key when it comes to standing out a little. A quick google search should return plenty of options for your vehicle or contact us to see if we have kits available for your vehicle!
5. Protection & Maintenance
The difference between a respected, tastefully modified car and just an ok car with some stuff done to it is proper maintenance and cleanliness. If you opted to have your vehicle paint corrected, Paint Protection Film is highly recommended to keep those scratches & swirls from reforming in your paint. Paint Protection Film warranties now range from 10-Years up to Full Lifetime Warranties to keep your vehicle protected as long as you own it. Vehicle scratched? Leave it in the sun and watch the self-healing film do its job.
Whether your vehicle is painted, wrapped or covered in Paint Protection FIlm, ceramic coating is a must. Once applied, this nanotechnology forms an extra protective layer around your vehicle to resist light scratches and staining, while the hydrophobic properties make it harder for dirt and debris to stick to your vehicle’s surface, making it stay cleaner longer and detailing a breeze. It is also highly resistant to UV rays, protecting your finish from cracking or fading.
Lastly, the key to making any vehicle look nice is proper & timely cleaning and maintenance. Here is a quick breakdown. Weekly washes are highly recommended, but at minimum once every two weeks. Drive-thru washes are a major no. Bird droppings should be cleaned immediately to prevent staining. Many performance vehicles these days are prone to excessive amounts of brake dust, so keeping those wheels clean & tires shined makes a world of a difference. Always utilize proper washing techniques, washing the wheels first and then the vehicle from the top down. Hire a professional detailer if possible.
As we mentioned earlier, quality products are of the upmost importance when it comes to modifying your vehicle. Always do it right the first time and you’ll save yourself time and money in the long run. Custom vehicles are our specialty and we’re always happy to help the car community. If you’re looking for products or just some advice, give us a shout and we are always happy to help!
Bonus Tip: Window Tint
Window Tint is beneficial in a lot of ways – privacy, security, UV resistance, etc. – but today we’re focusing on aesthetics. Choosing the right percentage of window tint, or even not adding tint makes a major difference to your vehicle. Want that blacked out look? 5%. Want it dark, but legal? 35%. Want to show off that interior? Don’t even tint it or add a high percentage ceramic film for heat rejection. Always be sure to check local tint laws or ask your local tint shop for advice!