Bug Shields/Hood Protectors ?

mhraracing · September 6, 2004

Thinking about buying a bug shield/Hood protector for my 02 HD - Getting alot of paint chips and bug guts on my HD hood.

What deflector do you have on your HD.??

I really love the big 02 HD hood bulge and would hate to cover it with a stupid piece of plastic - but Im sure some company makes a nice piece for our truck. Most HD around here have nothing on them - so I cant tell if they look good or not.

If you have one on your HD - let me know what you bought - and a Pic would be great too !!!

Thanks

8100HD · September 6, 2004

I had the same dilema with my '01 after I painted it...I was looking for maximum protection without noticing it much. I finally settled on an AutoVentShade Bugflector II in clear...since I have a pewter truck it blends in very well and is barely noticeable...best thing is you do not see it from inside the truck...no pics as of right now I'll see if I can get a couple this week.

Shaners · September 6, 2004

I have the Bugflector II on my HD. It's been on since about the second day I had the truck... I really like it.

Shaners · September 6, 2004

Here's another pic...

Ron J · September 7, 2004

I have a white 02. I put a white bug shield from Cabela's.( www.cabelas.com) It protects the hood without being too obtrusive.

mhraracing · September 8, 2004

Hmm...so far it seems like the bugflector II is the one of choice. I know Lund makes a few - does anybody have one on their HD ??

Sorry for using you guys as a guinea pigs....but I would like see one installed before I buy it.

lovette · September 8, 2004

I have a Bugflector II that came in red from AutoVentShade. The color is on the back side. I was going to get a clear one and paint the backside until I found I could order one red. I think they have other colors too. No drilling either.

mhraracing · September 8, 2004

One question about the bugflector II - how is it held on ??? I dont want one thats held on my tape. My father-in-laws Caddy EXT has the one directly from GM that is held on by 3m tape and he had to replace it twice already. Not good on a 50K vehicle.

It can use tape if its held on by screws under the hood also.....just wondering ??

Wingnut · September 8, 2004

Hey Shaners...I think I have the same torpedo heater as you. That thing heats up the garage in a rush.

Supurban · September 8, 2004

A possible alternative to the bugshield that still protects your paint is the "clear bra" - or more accurately, the 3M paint protection film.

Click here for some more discussion on paint protection film.

Even if you decide to get a bug deflector, this film is still useful on other surfaces that the bug deflectors can't protect - painted mirror backs, leading edges of the painted fender flares, the little fender edges just behind the headlights and the edges of the doors.

I have photos on my signature below if you want to see what the stuff looks like.

Shaners · September 8, 2004

One question about the bugflector II - how is it held on ???

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The Bugflector II is held on by screws and square nylon anchors that mount in the holes under the front of the hood... installation takes about 5 minutes. If they don't make a color you like, then get a clear one and spray bomb the inside of it to match the color of your truck.

millerwd · September 8, 2004

I have the clear one . There is one minor problem. When the headlights are on Highbeam. The light is transmitted to the top of the deflector. the outside 12-14 inches is lit up. It can be annoying when driving . I tried placing a 10 " piece of electircal tape directly above the headlights,. That worked for awhile but this morning I notice the light difussion was back. I can always paint the back side if it gets too bothersome.

They do absolutely nothing as far as keeping the bugs off the windshield however. with a 150 mile communte through the mountains I just was the drivers side every afternoon..

Happy trails ,BillM.

HDChuck01 · September 8, 2004

I have a clear "bra" on my 01. Can't see it at all and no chips! Bugs come off pretty easily. I think it's a 3M brand. Just sticks right on the hood and leaves the good looks of the hood undisturbed.

mhraracing · September 9, 2004

Thanks guys.....Looks like I will be ordering the bugflector II this weekend along with my TuffTonneau. Will probably jsut get the smoke color - should look good on my IndigoBlue truck !?!?

As for the clear bra - 3m - I heard about that.....but I am getting alot of rock chips on the windshield and hood from all the sand and salt they spray on the road during the winter - I dont think the 3m clear tape will offer much protection from that ? But thanks for the idea.

ktmjim215 · September 10, 2004

One word of caution with a bug deflector. After a while you may hear a strange noise at higher speeds that sounds like rain hitting the roof or windshield hard. Some describe it as a wind noise. The rubber reveal moldings that run up the right and left sides of the W/S will vibrate from the wind. GM has an updated molding for the 03 & 04. Many of the bug deflectors come with double sided tape to put behind the molding to stop the "rattle", I know the GM deflector does. We have people come in all the time complaining about a noise and the bug deflector deal fixes a lot of them. If you want to eliminate the moldings from the equation just use masking tape to cover the moldings and the gap to the W/S. Test drive the truck and most times the noise has stopped.