I had a small accident today where I hit another car from behind. Unfortunately there was some pretty extensive damage to my car when it happened, so both the front bumper cover and the hood need to be replaced. This means paintwork, and triggers me to consider installing the votex kit.

I would buy it from Germany since it's a bit cheaper than it is here in Sweden, and have the dealer paint it together with the bumper cover and hood. It will probably be much cheaper than painting it separately later, and in that way I'll be sure it's the exact same color.

Does anyone know if you can install the kit after paining, or if it needs to be painted first?

Does the bumper cover have to come off, in order to install the kit, or can it be installed while the bumpers are on the car?

Is it just glued on, or do I need to drill and screw it in?

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7549.jpg">

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7550.jpg">

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7551.jpg">

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7552.jpg">

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7553.jpg">

<img src="http://www.familienrasmussen.dk/images/2005/2005-01/img_7554.jpg">

parts are usually painted individually, and then installed on the car. Make sure the painter uses plenty of flex agent in the paint, so that it bends with movement and rock hits, instead of chipping.

I can't tell you about installing the kit. Each one is different. Usually needs a professional installer to get everything lined up correctly.

Thanks for your input!

If there is any sign that you are encountering difficulty, halt and turn it over to experts. There are often little tricks of the trade that people outside of the body shop industry don't know, and that body kit producers assume will be used when the kit is installed.

I've just spent a few long nights helping people install kits, and it seems there is always a complication or two, or three ;-)

I've been wondering if that front "bumper" would survive a parking-lot bump.

My speed was less than 15 km/h (10 mph) at the time where I hit the other car, and I was braking as I hit him.

I don't know yet what the repair will cost, but I'll know next week when the car is in the shop.

I'm in europe so my bumpers are probably different than yours. The US spec. cars usually have different bumpers.

That seems like a lot of damage for 10 mph though.

I'm glad nobody was hurt.