Car customisation adds new layers to your vehicle’s design and even reaches under the bonnet, to change how the vehicle behaves on the road.
However, not everyone can afford high-end customisation, which is usually performed via a specialised (and expensive!) service by trained professionals using the best materials on the market.
So we’ve put together a simple guide for the average Joe looking to get the best out of their car – on a budget. If you’re not currently in the position of paying a lot of money to make your car pretty, check out the reasonable but effective customisations below.
Change the Grill
The grill is the main element in most cars’ frontal aspect so by changing it, you’ll also change the aspect of your vehicle. You can either buy a customised grill from a garage (it’s about 100 pounds) or you can make it a fun DIY project and paint the grill yourself.
There is also the option of applying vinyl wrap (cheaper than painting), but you need patience and lots of time because it is a meticulous job. On the other hand, if you don’t like the result or simply want to return to the original, it’s as easy as removing the wrap!
Lights
If your stock lights look boring and unimpressive, all you need is a light bulb conversion kit (roughly 100 pounds). With this kit, you can change the colour of your lights to red, yellow, and even white. However, you should first make sure this change of colour is legal in your area.
There’s also the possibility of installing a backlit logo, which looks pretty good on most cars. And, if you really want to pimp out your ride, put some lights on your wheels. If it’s done with taste and finesse, the job can look rather bad-ass!
A Customised Plate
Even if it may not seem like a big deal, this piece of aluminum can completely change the way the world perceives your car. The secret stands in selecting a witty and relatable combination, so people can understand your message – or guess your name!
They may be a bit more expensive than regular plates, but it’s an investment for the future. Not to mention, there is a great selection of custom reg plates online so you’ll have plenty of choices.
Suspension
Young drivers like sporty-looking cars, but not all of them can afford a household name. This is why you should invest in new suspension that will allow you to lower the car to a sport-like level. If you find that a full kit is too expensive, the cheaper option is to lower the springs. The price of new suspension is relatively affordable, and even the cheaper options will help improve the look of your car.
Wheels and Rims
The wheels are the most important elements of your car because their role is crucial to the overall driving process. At the same time, the wheels can be used as a powerful design statement by adding subtle nuances and elegant combinations of colour.
There are plenty of aftermarket rim styles that could improve the look of your car so make sure to choose wisely (make sure it blends well with the rest of the car).
Window Tinting
If you compare two identical cars, the one with tinted windows will always look more appealing. There is something about having blacker windows that soothes the eye and makes the design look better!
Of course, window tinting will give you some privacy and will have an active role in keeping heat and harmful (for the interior) UV rays out. But please keep in mind that there are legal limits for tinting which are different across specific jurisdictions.
Spark Plugs
If you’ve purchased a second-hand vehicle or you’ve inherited your old man’s car, you don’t have to feel bad about it. As you can see from the tips above, there are plenty of things to do to improve its appearance, but if you want to improve its performance as well, you must take care of the spark plugs.
Upgrade them for about 150 pounds, and you’ll see an immediate improvement in power. So, if you’re going to do one thing to your car, I’d recommend a spark plugs upgrade should be the first on your list.
