7 Cheap But Cool Things to Do to Your Car Exterior
So, you want to make your car’s exterior look cool without spending a fortune?
I hear you. Rocking a body kit, new wheels, or a new paint job is awesome, but these enhancements are pricey. You don’t have to spend 10 grand modding your car just because you want a different look.
That’s why I put together a list of cheap but cool things to do to your car exterior.
I’ve done these customization tricks mostly on older cars, but they’ll make even a brand-new car stand out. In fact, you can do most by yourself.
How much is it going to cost you? I’d say less than $1,000 for all car exterior mods.
And No…We aren’t going to talk about partial car wraps or racing stripes.
Let’s dive into the cheap and cool things to do to your car exterior.
The Cheap Car Exterior Mods That Work
These aren’t just theoretical ideas; they’re real-world exterior mods that I’ve personally tested.
I’ll include a couple of photos of my BMW 325i to show you exactly how these look when applied. It’s a weekend toy, not a show car, which is why I never went over the top with visual modifications.
1. Get a Custom Grille or Mesh
I’ve used aftermarket grilles mostly on my BMWs and a Golf IV I had, but many other vehicles can benefit from this simple car exterior modification. It’s cheap, easy to install, and will make your car look much sportier.
Another even cheaper option is to get a grille mesh. You can use it for any open space at the front of your car. There are many patterns, and you can paint the mesh to match or contrast other areas of your ride.
Some folks combine both by placing a mesh behind the grille to protect the radiator.
2. Enhance the Headlights
If your headlights are yellowed or foggy, the first thing you should do is get them restored. Believe me, this is something you won’t regret. Your car will look brand spanking new. There are many DIY methods, and it won’t take you more than a couple of hours.
If you want to add a few more style points, consider Halo LED lights. While the so-called Angel Eyes were only available for older BMWs in the past, today, you can find LED Halo rings for almost any vehicle, including American classic cars.
3. Play with Vinyl Tints
Everyone knows what window tinting is. I’ll show you some other cool things you can do to your car exterior using vinyl.
It’s a great and cheap way to further enhance your headlights with a layer of dark tint. It also protects them from the sun and rocks. And it’s not just the headlights; you can add some vinyl to your side turn signals, fog lights, and taillights.
Another cool thing I’ve done to customize the exterior of my cars is applying glossy black vinyl on all the trim around the side windows, including the B-pillars. It looks great if you have tinted windows and/or black wheels.
4. Mount New Exhaust Tips
While aftermarket exhaust tips won’t have any impact on performance, they’ll surely make your car look and sound better. The various sizes, shapes, and finishes allow you to easily match the appearance you’re after.
Installation is typically straightforward. Most exhaust tips can be clamped or welded onto your existing tailpipe, so even if you have to go to a shop, the labor cost will fit your budget.
5. Install Wheel Spacers
Some say wheel spacers will negatively affect your vehicle, but as a seasoned car enthusiast, I can tell you that’s not the case. You can read more about that in this article.
I have spacers on my list because they allow you to get a more aggressive stance without spending $1,000 or more on completely new wheels. There are also performance benefits, but I won’t go into details, as here we’re talking about cool things to do to your car exterior.
If you’re interested in wheel spacers, check out my list of top brands.
7. Upgrade the Brake Calipers
You have a few options to do that, with the main goal being to change the color and make your vehicle’s exterior more attractive. I’ll start with the cheapest, and you can decide depending on how much time and money you want to spend.
Painting the Calipers
Getting them Powder Coated
Buying Caliper Covers
Buying New Brake Calipers
In addition to the first two, you can give your calipers a more custom look by adding high-temperature-resistant decals and stickers. These can be company logos or a name if you have one for your favorite car.
7. Use Colorful Rim Protectors
Rim protectors (wheel bands) are also a clever and cost-effective way to customize your vehicle’s exterior. If you’ve bought new alloys or recently painted your old wheels, I’d recommend considering those.
There are so many cool colors available that these bands can be matched or contrasted with any paint scheme. A popular option among Tesla owners, rim protectors are often seen even on luxury sports cars.
Pros of Customizing Your Car’s Exterior on a Budget
These cheap modifications will not only enhance your vehicle’s exterior but also save you from worrying about voided warranties and higher insurance costs.
Another advantage of modifying your ride with this approach is that it will look more appealing when it’s time to find a new car owner. That won’t be the case if you go for more extensive upgrades.
As I’ve mentioned in many of my blog posts, a wild paint job/car wrap or drastic changes to your car body can make a vehicle a real head-turner. However, these will narrow the list of potential buyers.
So, I think it’s best to take it easy in the beginning. You can always give your vehicle a complete makeover in the future and even get your car sponsored.
Closing Thoughts
Obviously, you could use many other mods to give your vehicle a personal touch. I just prefer to recommend customization options I’ve used and seen on other cars I admire.
And let’s not forget that the purpose of this blog post was to give you ideas about some cool things to do to your car exterior without breaking the bank.
If you’re planning to personalize your entire car, check out my tips on customizing it without future regrets. It’s not an article recommending particular mods. It’s more of a guide on how to set your goals and budget and do everything right on the way to make your car stand out.
