Golf Cart Body - Tips for Paint Job, Skins, Tops, and More

It is hard to maintain a golf cart without receiving, at least, a few scratches over the years. Fiberglass plastic fillers and polish are common ways to eliminate imperfections on the body of the cart, but a paint job can work just as well.

It is often difficult to find a proper color match for a pre-painted cart, but this can be taken as an opportunity to give your vehicle a new paint job.

Custom paint jobs are costly, but definitely the way to go if you want your cart to be painted correctly and to your satisfaction. Paint jobs can include solid colors or designs incorporated with a little flair.

If you are not ready to commit to a full paint job, or are anticipating changing the look of your cart more than once, consider using a skin to cover your golf cart. This option is significantly less expensive than a paint job, and it can look just as flawless.

Many skin options are available to ensure you will find a look that is right for you. Skins are bound by a peel and stick adhesive, and come in precut sections for easy application. They can last up to five years without fading or cracking.

If you would prefer to not cover your entire golf cart with a single style, you can add decals. Sports team logos, flames, and pinstripes are just a few of the types of decals available for golf carts. They are all made in a heavy-duty vinyl that is weather resistant.

Fans of Nascar racing can use decals to make their golf cart look like the car of their favorite racer. NFL and college football decals are other popular options that are often placed on the hood of the vehicle.

Decals are made similarly to skins, and have a peel and stick adhesive that can be applied to any part of the golf cart. These products can withstand weather and will not crack or fade over the allotted time they are made to last.

Golf cart tops are standard parts that are necessary to protect against rain and the sun. Not all carts come with this feature, but you can easily purchase and install one yourself. Keep in mind that standard coverings do not shield the back seat.

Tops will often be seen in a white color, but other colors can be purchased in order to coordinate better with the body of the cart. Aluminum or powder coated trim can be purchased for the bottom edge of the top for another custom addition.

Tops are made to accommodate every golf cart size, and many of the newer models will come with grab handles as well.

If you look under your feet while you are in a golf cart, you will notice there is a mat on the floor. Mats are made of sturdy rubber, with channels for draining built in. A mat stays firmly in place in the cart and can be cleaned with a simple spray down from a hose.

Keeping a mat in your cart will ensure a cleaner interior and will tie together the overall look. Each make and model has its own mats, so if you are interested in keeping your cart consistent and cohesive, you will want to ensure any replacement is in accordance with the type of vehicle you have.

If the body of your cart is damaged beyond repair, or if you would just like a customized look, you will want to consider buying a body kit. Body kits can be selected by color, make, and model of the cart, and leave plenty of opportunities for customization.

Body kits can come with or without headlight cutouts, and can be made to look like a standard cart or something more original, like a classic car or truck of your choosing. Be aware that these kits will not include windshields, seats, or any other element of the interior of the cart.

If you are only looking for a custom paint job, you may want to consider purchasing a body kit, because both services are very similar in cost, but, in this instance, your body will be replaced and refreshed as well.

If you want to take your golf cart beyond a custom paint job or skin, several modifications can be done to the body that can make the vehicle look more like a car. Similar to standard body kits, custom bodies can be purchased to fit over the frame of the cart.

People have customized their carts to look like anything from a Hummer H2 to a Bentley, for a hefty price. This is cer tainly an option for cart enthusiasts who want the speed and ease of a golf cart but the looks of their dream vehicle, all in one package.

Transforming the entire body of a cart is not for everyone, but there are plenty of customization options for those who do want to stand out among the crowd. Fender flares can be purchased and attached to the body around the wheels, and these serve the function of blocking rocks and gravel from being kicked upwards.

Chrome fender trim can also be connected to the body to prevent any chipping that may occur around that area. An adhesive sticks the piece to the fender and gives it a look that stands out from other carts.

Brush and grille guards sit on top of the front of the body and are meant more for carts that go on off-road trails. Rocker panels are another addition that can line the bottom rim of the cart. All of these additions serve functions, but are mainly added for the looks.

Similar to the windshields of a car, golf cart windshields protect the driver from unpredictable weather. There are several different types of windshields that can be purchased for your cart, but each is specific to the make and model of thecart itself.

Clear acrylic windshields are the most common type available, and they are the least expensive. They will not scratch, but can be shattered on impact with another object, such as a golf ball. Tinted acrylic is meant to reduce glare but otherwise serves the same function as the clear version.

Impact resistant windshields have rubber added to the acrylic, which makes the windshield shatter resistant, but susceptible to scratches. Other options include split windshields that can fold down, or winged windshields that can deflect the wind for passengers.

Venturing off the path of a standard golf cart is the lifted golf cart. This is a customization that can be made to any cart to make it more compatible with rough terrain and off-road trails.

Kits can be purchased for lifts that will lift your cart from three to eight inches. Lift kits are available to create the desired look on your cart. For those who want this addition to their vehicles, it is important to mention that they cannot be driven on golf courses.

Lift purchases incorporate tire choice, which can affect the speed and stability of the cart. Larger wheels make the cart faster, while wider tires will stabilize it. Tires must be offset if you use a lift kit, because they will otherwise hit the frame.

If you want to keep the body of your cart protected from the elements and keep yourself warmer in the cooler seasons, an enclosure is an excellent addition. Enclosures are plastic waterproof coverings that fit over the top of the cart and hang down on every side to prevent outside exposure.

If you are interested in keeping up with your customizations, you can purchase an enclosure in a variety of colors, and they can easily be pinned up like blinds during the warm and sunny days so you can enjoy the open breeze while driving.

Be aware of the make and size of your cart in order to purchase the proper size enclosure. Some enclosures are made in a universal size, which can accommodate any cart size.

Another way to protect your cart is to place a cover over it when it is not in use. If you plan to park the vehicle outside or leave it sitting for more than a few days, a cover will be the best protection to the body to prevent scratches or scuffs.

The fabric of the cover should be resistant to mildew and UV light, and must be waterproof. Some covers have zippers that allow you to cover it and uncover it easily. The bottom hem will have an elastic cord that will ensure the fit is snug against the body of the cart.

Like many of the other cart additions, these are all size specific, which you will need to take into consideration when making a final purchase.