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Just received the OEM hood deflector HC3Z16C900C off backorder and noticed that two 3/8" thick strips of foam tape came with the hardware that aren't called out in the instructions. A bit of google sleuthing suggests these can be used to mitigate whistling which some installs suffer from at certain speeds. I can only guess this tape should be positioned to block air from entering beneath the deflector? I really don't want to create a water/debris trap between deflector and hood so will try without first.
Is the hood deflector effective in deflecting bugs and stones from the windshield?
I don't know how effective it will protect the windshield from stones. We are cursed by gravel spread on our highways all winter for traction, which always seems to get flung up by passing semis and jerks cutting over without allowing sufficient space. When I've managed to catch a glimpse of stones thrown from tires before they strike, it seems they travel in an arc rather than a straight line and either drop onto your vehicle or hit the road first and bounce into it. I actually get struck more on the grill and front edge of the hood. Clear film has not worked on the hood; I have many divots through the film into the paint. Car bras work but are a PITA to clean afterwards; the sand and salt which gets trapped on the backside must be removed to avoid paint damage. This will be my first time using an acrylic deflector and I'm hoping it provides the best compromise between protection and ease of maintenance.
I put mine on after losing 3 windshields in about 6 months. The factory deflector is pretty low-profile, though, so I don't know how much it does at deflecting. It certainly protects the hood part that it covers, but I don't know that it has any aerodynamic lift to bugs or would-be windshield-destroying rocks. My windshield death rate has dropped to zero, but I'd not necessarily assign cause-and-effect to the deflector. You can decide for yourself if they look good or not.
I put the Weather Tech product # 50271 on our '22 F250 Super Duty XLT, and like it a lot. Fits perfectly, easy installation, looks great. It does cover up the Super Duty lettering on the front of the hood, but I'd rather have that than chipped paint. $79.95 from Amazon.
Is it stuck to the hood or does it fasten under the edge? Thanks
Can you provide some more details on why the PPF was a huge waste. Did it not protect the paint as expected or did the film fail in some way?
I felt for the money and what it did it was not worth it after the fact I wouldnt personally get it again but dont fault anyone who does. Ceramic coating however thats another story and wouldn't tell my enemy to get it 3 years later biggest waste of money ever. Followed installers instruction for maintenance after they paint corrected and installed. Looks terrible after.
Can you provide some more details on why the PPF was a huge waste. Did it not protect the paint as expected or did the film fail in some way?
I've had stones perforate the Xpel PPF and then it looks like crap. Only solution is to have it removed and reapplied ($$$). I won't pay for PPF on another vehicle and will just use touchup paint if I get a stone chip.
PPF, like xpel & others are effective. However, if it starts to crack or discollor, remove it. WD-40 works well as do plastic razor blades. Just sold my 2011 Silverado, hood & headlights were clear, but bed rail film cracked. Was a pain to remove.
Is it stuck to the hood or does it fasten under the edge? Thanks
It fastens to the underside of the hood in existing holes with pop in plastic inserts, screws, and washers in four places. I just installed it a few days ago, and haven't driven the truck since, so I can't speak for long term durability of that mounting system, but it seems very solid. Time will tell, and I believe Weather Tech will provide support of their products. I bought on Amazon, but it comes directly from Weather Tech, exact same price including shipping.
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