Hood deflector recommendation?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,499
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I was fixin' to buy one and my friendly Ford parts man pointed that "Ya know, after it's on there a while....." it looks terrible. Which is the idea I guess, that the deflector takes the beating. But the ones I looked at required two sided tape (see post 3) or drilling holes on the underside of the hood.
I have one chip so far, but low miles, much of it long road trips. YMMV
I have one chip so far, but low miles, much of it long road trips. YMMV
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
I used to like formed ones. I couldn't stand the original "flags" that stuck up. I never had a problem with them coming loose. I used to put on window vents also but I don't smoke in my vehicles any longer and enjoy the reduced wind noise. However like already has been said the do look like crap after a while. I used Eagle 1 Nano polish on mine and the bugs came off easier plus it looked better for a longer period.of time.
TJ
TJ
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
LOL! That thought was running through my head when I read your post. Almost got coffee all over the screen!
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
In all seriousness though, most do more harm than good. The screws pull out or they rub paint off. Same with those “clear bras” that turn yellow and crack plus they’re almost impossible to remove and when you do, the paint has faded differently.
Rock chips are going to happen. No way around it, unless you don’t drive it.
Rock chips are going to happen. No way around it, unless you don’t drive it.
Thread Starter
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,339
Likes: 1,053
From: Florida
I’ve had hood deflectors on my trucks for years. I’ve never had damage caused by the reflector. My other cars without deflectors all have paint chips on the hood lead edges.
The Ford OEM deflector on my F350’s do not make physical contact at all with the top of the hood or any painted surfaces. It’s attached using 6 screws that go into kit supplied either plastic or metal nut plates that are installed into factory pre-drilled holes under the hood. The deflector totally eliminates any rock chips to the lead edge of the hood. After 4 years it took a beating and there are witness marks on the deflector where rocks hit it.
It also does a good job of protecting the dead love bug acidic carcasses from etching the paint on the hood. See picture.
The ToughSkin deflector for the f150 is attached using 3m tape with no contact from the deflector to any painted surface.
Here are a few pictures of the one I’m considering for my F150 and picture of the one that I’ve been using on my 350s, before and after driving through love bugs.
The Ford OEM deflector on my F350’s do not make physical contact at all with the top of the hood or any painted surfaces. It’s attached using 6 screws that go into kit supplied either plastic or metal nut plates that are installed into factory pre-drilled holes under the hood. The deflector totally eliminates any rock chips to the lead edge of the hood. After 4 years it took a beating and there are witness marks on the deflector where rocks hit it.
It also does a good job of protecting the dead love bug acidic carcasses from etching the paint on the hood. See picture.
The ToughSkin deflector for the f150 is attached using 3m tape with no contact from the deflector to any painted surface.
Here are a few pictures of the one I’m considering for my F150 and picture of the one that I’ve been using on my 350s, before and after driving through love bugs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
I stopped running bug guards (aka hood deflectors) a few trucks ago. I don't know if they saved me from getting paint chips or not? But they always caused other paint damage by rubbing the paint off the edge of the hood or the 2 sided tape etching the paint. They also look like crap on newer trucks.
I haven't had any issues with paint chips on the hood since I stopped using bug guards. The only paint chips I've had were on the painted front bumpers.
I haven't had any issues with paint chips on the hood since I stopped using bug guards. The only paint chips I've had were on the painted front bumpers.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,227
Likes: 1,245
From: San Antonio, TX
That chrome one, don’t know what to say except rock chips look better. At least the one on the F150 doesn’t draw too much attention to itself. No love bugs where I live though. I bought a nice used F150 once that came from East Texas. The hood was ruined with dozens of paint etchings from those bugs. Got a good deal on it because of that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
That chrome one, don’t know what to say except rock chips look better. At least the one on the F150 doesn’t draw too much attention to itself. No love bugs where I live though. I bought a nice used F150 once that came from East Texas. The hood was ruined with dozens of paint etchings from those bugs. Got a good deal on it because of that.
TJ
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
I put AVS Bugflector IIs on all our trucks and never have any issues. I've never removed one so I don't know if they rub the paint off the lower edge of the hood but they are rock solid so I don't think they do. I just like the looks of them and will continue to buy them.