WHAT MATERIALS DO WE USE ON OUR BODY KITS?

Our body kits are made from one of 2 materials – Polypropylene (PP) / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).

All of our VTEN Front Lips, Side Skirts & Rear Diffusers are made from Polypropylene (PP).

Our VTEN Spoilers & Canards are made with ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

HOW WE TEST THE FINISH

Choosing the right plastic is only half the job. The finish is what you actually see on the car – and what has to survive British weather, jet washes and motorway miles. Every batch we produce is randomly sampled and put through the same paint testing methods used across the automotive industry.

Boiling water cross-cut test

The part is fully immersed in boiling water at 100°C and held there for two hours, then taken out and cooled. The surface is scored into a grid with a cross-cut tester, a specialist test tape is pressed over the scored area and torn away at force. A finish that has not bonded properly will lift with the tape. Ours does not peel.

This test proves two things at once: paint adhesion, and water resistance under sustained heat. If a finish is going to fail, this is where it shows.

Anti-twist test

The part is twisted into an S shape and then returned to its original state. This confirms the panel flexes and recovers without cracking, and that the finish moves with it rather than crazing – which matters during fitment, when a lip or skirt has to flex slightly to sit against the bumper.

Batch inspection

Every VTEN part is finished using factory-standard painting processes, and we take random samples from every production batch rather than testing a single showpiece. Parts that fail do not ship.

Key Benefits of Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene (PP) is a popular material for car parts due to its unique combination of properties, which make it highly suitable for automotive applications. Here are some key reasons why polypropylene is used for car parts:

1. Lightweight: Polypropylene is a lightweight material, which helps in reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. This contributes to better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

2. Chemical Resistance: PP is resistant to many chemical solvents, acids, and bases, making it durable in environments where it might be exposed to various automotive fluids like oils, coolants, and cleaning agents.

3. Impact Resistance: Polypropylene has good impact strength, which is crucial for car parts that need to withstand mechanical stresses and impacts without cracking or breaking.

4. Thermal Resistance: PP can withstand a range of temperatures, making it suitable for where parts are exposed to high temperatures.

5. Recyclability: Polypropylene is recyclable, which aligns with the automotive industry's increasing focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

Key Benefits of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is another widely used material in the automotive industry due to its excellent mechanical properties and versatility. Here are some key reasons why ABS is used for car parts:

1. High Impact Resistance: ABS is known for its toughness and high impact resistance, even at low temperatures. This makes it ideal for parts that need to withstand physical stress and impacts, such as bumpers and interior trim.

2. Surface Finish: ABS has a smooth surface finish and can be easily painted, plated, or coated, which is important for aesthetic parts that need to match the vehicle's design and colour scheme.

3. Cost-Effective: ABS is relatively inexpensive compared to other engineering plastics, making it a cost-effective choice for mass-produced automotive components.

4. Lightweight: Like polypropylene, ABS is lightweight, contributing to the overall reduction in vehicle weight, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.

5. Recyclability: ABS is recyclable, which supports the automotive industry's efforts towards sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

Still not sure which kit suits your car? Ask us before you order – we will confirm fitment for your exact model and generation.