Author Topic: Front hood deflectors (Read 3196 times)

tigercat · « **on:** June 17, 2005, 12:35:52 pm »

How effective are these? Do they do a good job of pushing bugs/small stones up over your car, or are they more for looks?

ovr50 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2005, 12:46:33 pm »

IMO (others will disagree) they do deflect small stones and bugs up and over your painted area AND right into your windshield !!! I think they are a trade-off and others prefer the 3M tape. I have used them in the past and have one on my new HL. It is not a "looks" thing as it is debatable whether they are a looks improvement or not..

Sterling · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2005, 01:11:08 pm »

Strictly to prevent paint damage to the leading edge of the hood. Who cares about bugs. Rocks do the damage. IMO, they don't cause any increase in windshield damage. Whether a rock hits the front of the hood or a plastic piece half an inch in front of the hood, the chance that it will hit the windshield is the same.

bmorton · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2005, 02:21:51 pm »

Sterling said it. I've had two vehicles with hood deflectors and their purpose is to protect your hood, not deflect anything away from the windshield. Now that I've tried paint protection film (what Ovr50 means by "3M tape") I wouldn't choose a deflector again. But each has its pros and cons.

wing · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2005, 02:50:55 pm »

Well only experience I have had is with the one on my subaru. I took it off when I got the car, evidence of the hood proves it didn't do much, the hood is riddled with paint chips. And the windshield well it's a mine field of ruts. :-(

johngenx · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2005, 03:18:25 pm »

We have one on the Forester only because it was there when we bought the car. It's okay looking on the Forester, but I've seen ones on others that look really funny.

I have the 3M tape on the MB and it's worked very well and after eight years has held up well.

tigercat · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2005, 08:54:32 pm »

Mind you, some bugs that have recently met an unsightly end on my hood or windshield have been a right bugger to remove--hardened into something that resembled cement!

safristi · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2005, 11:09:10 am »

HOOD deflectors.......

knibby · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2005, 10:48:29 am »

is there a proper name for the "3M tape"? Id like to check it out.

bmorton · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2005, 12:19:05 pm »

The proper name of the product is paint protection film, and it's made by 3M or Avery. I have the Avery film on my Subaru. Here's a link to 3M's site, where they explain what it is.

http://www.3m.com/PaintProtectionFilm

Wetson · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2005, 12:55:25 pm »

I'm thinking about getting a front end mask on the black Accord. I forgot how unforgiving black is. It shows every little scratch, scrape and chip.

knibby · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2005, 02:14:03 pm »

excellent, thanks for the info !

dash · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:05:41 pm »

Thewetson-do not get a mask-the 3m or a deflector are a better choice. With a mask you will get sun discoloration and damaged paint from fine sand/dirt caught under the mask.

ovr50 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:21:16 pm »

I agree w Dash re: a mask or bra. Don't get it. In addition to the problems above, they are pain in the butt to take on/off most times.