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I am wanting to protect the front of the truck with as hood deflector. One not sure how they look (any pics)? or how they hold up. Anyone have experience with either of these or have any recommendations for one?
I am wanting to protect the front of the truck with as hood deflector. One not sure how they look (any pics)? or how they hold up. Anyone have experience with either of these or have any recommendations for one?
On the 23+, The only ones I've seen are self stick. Not saying they're bad but definitely have two people when install them.
I have one sitting in my shop for a better part of a year now, debating still whether to put it on. I believe it's the second one shown above.
I haven't tried one, but I have been thinking about adding one specifically to deflect bugs and what not from my windshield. I don't know if some of the lower profile ones would do that though...
I went with the Aeroskin as I figured a wrap wouldn't hold up long term due to the lettering on the hood. I wouldn't be without hood protection here and I run a hood deflector as well as PPF on the lights, A pillars and above the windshield; I've had to repaint almost every truck in my fleet above the windshield due to chips/rust......at least the SD's won't rust though they still chip.
I put one on once, and the damned thing bent back at highway speeds and did more damage to the paint than had I not put one on. Been using PPF ever since. They really don't do much to keep bugs off the glass either, in fact they detract from the airflow due to the buffering that happens on the back side. The only true bug deflectors are the ones that rise straight up about 4-6 inches.
I put one on once, and the damned thing bent back at highway speeds and did more damage to the paint than had I not put one on. Been using PPF ever since. They really don't do much to keep bugs off the glass either, in fact they detract from the airflow due to the buffering that happens on the back side. The only true bug deflectors are the ones that rise straight up about 4-6 inches.
How long ago was that and what style was it? On my 2022 I have a "stand off" moulded style but it comes with clear plastic bumpers to keep it away from the paint; no issue in the past 4 years. On the 2023 the Aeroskin one attaches directly to the painted surface so it can't move. I don't use them to deflect bugs (I agree; not very effective for that), just to keep from getting the inevitable paint damage (chips and dents) that we get here in the winter if you don't have some protection.
PPF is great and I have it on my Super Duty, BMW and Mercedes and have had it on many other vehicles in the past. Based on my experience where it has held up (and where it hasn't), I wasn't convinced it would stay stuck in the indented letters on the leading edge of the hood but if it does, it's a great solution.
That was so many years ago on a 2001 F150. It was the type that had wings on the side and was attached via screws underneath and had a gap of about an inch between hood and deflector, but when driving 60 MPH those wings would bend back and touch the hood. Its a special skill to get the PPF into the letters and not look like there is PPF there. The one I have used on 2 trucks now has cutouts for the letters. I find that majority of hits are not in the letters, oddly enough, but outside of them. The WORST ever are the painted bumpers, if you don't PPF them when brand new, don't bother, they chip within a week of driving. They are also very difficult to put PPF on, you need to be skilled at it. I tried on my 2018 F150, there are some areas I could not get the film to stick properly, but overall it protected the bumper in that 4 years there were no chips at all on it.
That was so many years ago on a 2001 F150. It was the type that had wings on the side and was attached via screws underneath and had a gap of about an inch between hood and deflector, but when driving 60 MPH those wings would bend back and touch the hood. Its a special skill to get the PPF into the letters and not look like there is PPF there. The one I have used on 2 trucks now has cutouts for the letters. I find that majority of hits are not in the letters, oddly enough, but outside of them. The WORST ever are the painted bumpers, if you don't PPF them when brand new, don't bother, they chip within a week of driving. They are also very difficult to put PPF on, you need to be skilled at it. I tried on my 2018 F150, there are some areas I could not get the film to stick properly, but overall it protected the bumper in that 4 years there were no chips at all on it.
I'm with you 1000% on the painted bumpers; I purposely stick with chrome on mine but if I ever get a truck with painted bumpers, it's going from the lot straight to the PPF film shop. Both my stepsons have painted bumpers on their 3 and 5 year old trucks and they are a mess of rust. On the hood PPF, cutouts on the letters would work; I think I've also seen letter inserts which would protect those areas....
Just did PPF on the Agate Black 2026 F250. Painted bumpers, hood etc. I did end up going with the cut out letters on the hood due to the bubbling. Loos great and time will tell how it does long term. Based on the red painted F150 bumper I had it done as soon as I brought it home.
