Bug Deflector?

[RoadEnforcer]

After one day of driving in 90 + here I am sure I have made a few different kind of bugs extinct. Because I really can see out my window with all the guts on it.... also I have found about three paint chips on my hood. I am wondering if you guys could give me your opinions on a bug deflector for my 2001 sport.... Yes or No and your reasons please oh yeah my cars black do you think it will look good on it also.

 

[zensius]

I've no prood they work (I don't think so). But the people that I've seen who have them also have had the paint removed from the front of the hood where they rubbed. Sort of defeating the purpose. I also don't like the way they look. A good waxin' should help get the bugs off the paint.

 

[RoadEnforcer]

Wow I didnt know they could rubb the paint off. Humm that isnt fun. thanks

 

[Robb]

Bug shields just look dumb. Also, if left on for any amount of time, will rub paint and paint will not "age" like the rest of paint on hood. So, when you take it off, you have a really silly looking paint job.

 

[RoadEnforcer]

morrisey0 - If lets just say I leave it on for the summer months would you thing there would be a problem with the paint looking different?

 

[mdrut]

Are you guys refering to a "BRA" style or the hard lexan style??? I have been running one on my 91 for years..With no adverce effects..As a matter of fact, I recently replaced it with a new one because of cracks that were caused by stones and branches...Mine DOES not rub, and I swear by it..Protects the hood paint, and windshield..
Just curious..

 

[Robb]

Enforcer, I don't really have any experience with bugshields, except witnessing that they look silly. I base my opinion (and that of anything put over the paint) on those old "bras" that eveybody used to put on the front of their vehicles. I had a bunch of friends with these on their cars and when it came time to sell the vehicle, they took them off. When they did this, they found the paint under bra rubbed badly (sometimes through paint), and when they polished out, and touch up, all the scratches, the paint was a couple of shades off from the rest of the hood and fenders.

As far as a time frame, I would look at it this way. Any time you have something covering part of the paint, that part is not aging while the rest is.

I would suggest ( like zenius) a good waxing to keep bugs from sticking as much as possible.

 

[RoadEnforcer]

Morrisey0 and zensius, thank you for your opinions. I will keep them inmind when I am thinking of what to do.

 

[RoadEnforcer]

Has anyne seen the bug deflectors for the 2001 sport/tracs, i personally think they look alright... anyone feel the same of differently?

 

[Black Magic]

I have one on mine and it is the Ford brand hard Deflector. It works great. I don't get as many bugs on the windshield. I have always used Bug Shields, never a bra those suck. But the hard plastic deflector/shields work and I have had several vehicles and never had anyproblems with the paint rubbing off. Sounds like a bad install if that happened.

Just get a black one and it disapears. The only time they look "silly" is when you have a differnet color vehicle then the shield. Just get a clear one and have the back painted at a body shop.

IMO

 

[Lifted95X]

I have a bugflector II on my X and really like it. It has the same lines and bends as the hood so it matches the truck great. I like the way they look personally...and since yours X is new(I don't care for them on the older ones)....I say go for it.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I have the WeatherTech bug deflector. It came with 4 plastic bumpers. I placed one on each fenders and two toward the center of the hood and voila...no paint rub. I don't know if it really worked but hey, it keeps the rocks from chipping the front of my hood. And believe me, I have chips on the deflector to prove it.

 

[hitman]

I installed a Bugdeflector II on my 2001 XLT and noticed (especially now with the warm weather) that I still get bugs on my windshield. In fact, I went on a roadtrip this past weekend after washing it on Friday afternoon. Upon getting back, my windshield was splattered. So, I don't see it working much with deflecting bugs, but I like the fact that it protects against the occasional rocks and such.

I would like to keep my vehicle for awhile, and if it saves the paint from rock chips, then I think it was worth the $60.00 I spent on it.

 

[RoadEnforcer]

Matt I was just wondering if you could post a picture, of your bug deflector... just wanna check out what it looks like on your ride... and also do you have 20's yet

 

[RoadEnforcer]

My bad Matt I just checked your site, it looks good. Just wondering how much it costed you and where you got it from. Also what tint do you have on your ride?

 

[aldive]

I removed my bug deflector and picked up gas mileage. Plus, in my opinion, the truck looks so mucj better.

 

[Black Magic]

I'm now really sure how much it cost. The Ford Dealer had it already installed when I bought it. Along with side window guards. The tint is 35% in front and 2.5% in the rear 5.

 

[jt1970m]

I've also got the bug deflector on my truck. I put it on as soon as I got my truck actually. One of my first mods. I dont really think it keeps all the bugs off your windshield how can it its so low. But it is greeat for chips and such hitting the front section on your truck. With a new truck I know you wanna keep it nice and clean. I have some pics on my webpage. Not sure you can see it all that great tho. http://community.webshots.com/user/jtmdgm

 

[Fusion213]

I like the look of my bug deflector, it came with the explorer when we got it. It has some rubber things on the hood that keep the deflector from ever hitting the hood.

 

[TDG]

I'm going to have to go with No on this one, not that I think bug guts are good for your truck however in the long run they probably won't hurt as much as a bug deflector could.

My 93 came with a deflector that was improperly installed by the original owner. I agree with the person who says they don't look good, however when I took it off the paint was destroyed beyond reasonable repair so I put it back on and I live with it. The rubber thingys were installed however over the years two of them came off and the deflector began to rub the hood also the lower part of it has been touching and rubbing the paint since day one. :fire:

Tim