Do bugshields really work?

taki1 · July 11, 2002

I have a 2002 regular cab white z-71, and dont like all the bug "goop" on the white paint...obviously, a bugshield works on the part that it covers, but does it also prevent bugs from getting on other parts of the hood and the windshield?

Ive never had a bugshield on any of my vehicles before...whats a good brand to get?

Shaners · July 11, 2002

I imagine they work to an extent, but they are not 100% when it comes to keeping the bugs off the windshield. They definatly keep the bug guts off the front of the hood, and moreso the rock chips from other vehicles.

I had a Bugflector II on my '00 Silverado and I liked it enough that when I bought my HD I got the HD versiion for this truck. There are no holes to drill and they install in about 5 minutes... I bought them at Advance Auto Parts for about $50.

bscottb · July 11, 2002

They reallly protect your hood from rock chips moreso than they keep bugs off the windshield. I have a Bugflector II and I love the look of it but it is starting to crack around the mounting screws. I think Tom had the same problem with his.

MountaineerTom · July 11, 2002

I have a Bugflector II and I love the look of it but it is starting to crack around the mounting screws. I think Tom had the same problem with his.

Yeah, mine did to. I took it back to Advance Auto Parts, and they exchanged it for a new one. Between the time it was cracked and I replaced it, I tried a Lund Avenger, and it was ok, but it wasn't as big and didn't offer as much protection, so that's why I took my broken Bugflector II back and got a new one. It just started cracking again on one of the holes. I'm going to take it off soon and drill a tiny hole at the end of the crack to see if I can keep it from cracking any further.

jcilufo · July 11, 2002

I've never used them but I've heard they affect your intake for your air conditioning. In fact I think I read it in the manual.

grrickar · July 11, 2002

I have a Prime Designs bug deflector and it has so far kept the hood free of chips, and for the most part no bug guts on the hood, but the windshield is a different story. I even took a nice sized rock in the windshield off the wheel of a dump truck. It chipped, but I took it to a glass place and they shot the acrylic into it and now you can't see it. So far so good on that. I would definitely recommend that you get one that does not require drilling. There are square holes under the hood to snap in little plastic snaps for the screws. Any drilling under there is asking for rust.

todddd41 · July 15, 2002

My Sierra came with a GM bug deflector when I bought it. It must not be too bad for the A/C intake if GM is selling them.

It keeps the leading edge of the hood from getting hit by rocks or bugs, that's all. Zero help on the windshield, or anywhere else, but I guess it looks ok.

In fact I just took a rock so hard in the bottom edge of the windshield, chips broke off the inside of the window, and the black trim paint flaked off.

Todd

GnatGoSplat · July 16, 2002

Every bugshield I've ever seen is uglier than the bug guts and rock chips that they're supposed to protect against.

The only protection I've seen that looks good is 3M ClearMask from xpel.

pipermaru9 · July 16, 2002

I have the Lund Avenger, and although it is small it seems to keep a good bit of the smaller and lighter bugs off. But as big a surface area as the windshields take up, no bugshield is going to work 100%. And living in the south doesn't help either.