Body

BODY PANELS AND MATERIALS

Most body panels are made of plastic type materials. Different processes are used to create and shape the panels. Flexible panels are produced from the rim process.

All panels are fastened with adhesive, rivets, bolts, and screws or a combination of these fasteners.

Service repair is enhanced as all exterior panels can be easily removed.

- (RIM) Reaction Injection Molding
- (SMC) Sheet Molded Compound
- (TPO) Thermo Plastic Olefin
- (AL) Aluminum
- RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) - This process has produced highly flexible plastic panels throughout the industry, as example is the bumper fascias.
- SMC (Sheet Molded Compound) - SMC is constructed using short fiberglass strands usually less than 5.08 cm (2 inches) long. Sheet stock of glass impregnated resin matting is placed into the mold and pressed under heat to flow material throughout the mold. Tooling is shear edge designed to mold to net (i.e. no trimming at periphery required).
- For repair procedures .