fiberglass or plastic pros and cons

FGII-XR6 · 07-02-2008, 01:45 PM

I am after your views on fiberglass bars, there are some nice glass bars at fibersports but i have reservations about fiberglass as it is unforgiving if you knock it unlike plastic. really after experiences of those who have had these fitted. my car is and will remain standard height if that makes a difference.

autickfordfairmont · 07-02-2008, 02:15 PM

I have fibreglass bars fitted front & back, you really just have to be more careful with them. I have had my front bar repaired twice since I have had it (almost 12 months now), neither time was my fault, first my brother driving the car entering a campsite, just caught it on a tree root, and cracked it in half. The second he backed into it & put a nice 3" hole in it from his exhaust. Ive never really had any major dramas with it, and i have given it a few hits and hard scrapes that i couldnt avoid. Best thing is that they are easily fixed, can do it youself if your good with fibreglass, then just get it sprayed if you have any problems.

It comes down to a personal choice. My theory was that i can buy two fibreglass bars, have them fitted & painted for the price of 1 plastic bar raw. Obviously plastic is as you said more forgiving, but depends how deep your pockets are. (if you can afford it, yeah go plastic, or alternatively go for fibreglass and the money you save can be spent elsewhere on the car, or you could always give it to me

)

Cheers

Col.

aye you · 07-02-2008, 02:22 PM

i've got a fibre front bar and have hit it into the gutter when backing outta my missus driveway and havent had a problem with it. keeping it a stock height you just need to be wary of curbs and driveways but other than that just drive normal

ronwest · 07-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Cracked mine a few months after I fitted it. Motel we stayed at had old sleepers as a garden surround. One had been knocked previously and protruded a couple of feet into the car park. Turning my car around at night in the wet and I just didn't see it. Not happy!

Repairs/painting = $200

Since then I carry racing tape in the boot just in case.

As most of the miles in my car are done on long trips (probably 80/20) my front bar always has stone chips. I've done a bit of spray painting (handyman level) over the years so in future I'll forego the 2-pack and pull the bar off and respray it myself in acrylic lacquer.

Serious damage/cracks I'll get repaired professionally but paint it myself.

All in all I'm happy with the bar but as mentioned you need to be wary of obstacles.