Bug Deflectors

Nomad60,

I had a bug deflector on my 1998 Windstar and it looked cool, but what a pain it turned out to be. Leaves and all sorts of stuff got trapped in it, it cracked after a while and no longer looked cool. As for stone chips, in my experience all the bug deflector did was act as a catapult, causing stones to bounce off it and hit the windshield which resulted in a nasty crack just in line with the wipers in the park position. When it finally came time to take it off the white paint under it had actually darkened.

Now I have the 2002 Windstar and the first thing I wanted in "Wind Bling" was a bug deflector, (to hide the stone chips from the last owner), my husband just shook his head. He also has one on his truck (it came with it) and he wishes it had not come that way.

I have since reconsidered a bug deflector on the new Windstar and this time I may go with a bra instead, I just don't know as of yet.

I hope this helps you with your decision.

nomad60 said:

When I first got my Escape, I ordered one of the AVS Bug Deflectors for the hood

AVS Bug Deflector, Bug Shield

But once it came in, I couldn't get myself to install it. "Why?" you ask...well, for one, I was thinking about washing/waxing the car and if dirt would get trapped down in there. I also wasn't too keen about putting holes in a brand new vehicle. Also, the directions stated that once you install it, you can never go through one of those automated car washes (not that I really plan on doing that in the near future but...) So here it sits. So, my question is, do any of you have bug deflectors on your vehicles? If so, do they really get in the way of washing/waxing the vehicle? And how effective are they in deflecting bugs and rocks? Or are they more for looks than effectiveness?

Click to expand...

When I bought the 2003 Escape I have now, I considered putting one on. I installed one on my 1998 F-150 from new thinking I was doing myself and my hood a favor. After the damage you do installing them and the aggravation (like you mentioned) once they are on, I decided not to put one on the Escape. Now it has some stone chips and I just keep them waxed and it's no problem.

Thanks for the inputs; I've pretty much made up my mind to leave it off. Let me go downstairs and ask my coworker if he wants to buy a bug deflector for his 2009 :wink5:

I have a bug deflector on my '05. I bought it from a Ford dealer.

On my previous SUV, with just normal driving, the nose was pelted by so many stone chips, that rust ate away at it. Ever since then, I've been using bug deflectors. No more stone chips.

As for leaves and things, I just clean out the occasional leaf, etc. Really depends if you park under to close to trees.

I like the bug deflector I got from the dealer, the mounting holes line up with the factory holes under the hood. But I mounting screws are crap and the deflector is thin. I could swear the middle section flaps when I drive on the highway.

I have an aftermarket bug deflector on my wife's Windstar. It's much better. It's thicker so it doesn't flex a lot, and it also uses the factory mounting holes on the hood.

Hope that helps.

I noticed a small rock chip on the leading edge of the hood. May be time to invest in one...

I've been told by a few folks that although they do help protect the leading edge of your hood, they will also deflect the rocks right into your windshield. After weighing the pros and cons, I've decided to go without.

I've had them on all by one of my vehicles.Guess which one has the windshield chip from a stone.If you get the right one,there definately worth it.

To me a few rock chips aren't as noticeable as the deflectors . I've had many vehicles over the years with high mileage and I just keep the front end waxed . I But of course different preferences are what make life more interesting . Some of the newer low profile deflectors aren't quite as ugly . I do admit I don't drive on heavily traveled rock roads that often , maybe that would change my mind .

Well, I ended up installing it anyway yesterday. It's warmed up the last couple of weeks and I go to a local river before work almost every morning to do some bass fishing and recently, I was reminded why I ordered this thing in the first place - the tons of bugs on my front end and windshield. I didn't use the adhesive tape at all, just the 4 screws so that I can take it off any time I want to wash/wax, if necessary. But, it looks like there's plenty of space to get a sponge/rag in there to clean and wax that front area. I'll try it for a few days or so and if it doesn't help keep my windshield from getting splattered with bugs, I'll probably take it back off again.

i just let the bugs hit my windshield, then the next gas station i got to, i'd scrub them off...ut: