Bug Deflector: Yes or No?

[NurseNeil]

I installed the AVS Bugflector II - it does not require any drilling etc. 100% reversible if you decide you don't want it. I *definitely* recommend adding one, though - they are relatively inexpensive, pretty easy to install, and the front of the hood will quickly become chipped up from road grit/rocks. When I wash the truck, I frequently find impact sites on the deflector that saved the hood from a rock chip.

I did a video all about how to install it:

Good luck!

Great video, quality work. I may actually get one. Is there a reason you put the sticky side on the truck as opposed to the deflector?

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[CO2Ranger]

I’ve never had a bug deflector but I’m considering getting one because of rock chips to the front of my hood and I don’t like bug guts on the windshield. Are they worth putting on? What kind should I look at? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I'd never had one either but find it necessary to protect the thin paint as much as possible!

 

[NurseNeil]

I installed the AVS Bugflector II - it does not require any drilling etc. 100% reversible if you decide you don't want it. I *definitely* recommend adding one, though - they are relatively inexpensive, pretty easy to install, and the front of the hood will quickly become chipped up from road grit/rocks. When I wash the truck, I frequently find impact sites on the deflector that saved the hood from a rock chip.

I did a video all about how to install it:

Good luck!

Link to this specific one pleaseeeee ????

 

[puckdodger]

I installed the AVS Bugflector II - it does not require any drilling etc. 100% reversible if you decide you don't want it. I *definitely* recommend adding one, though - they are relatively inexpensive, pretty easy to install, and the front of the hood will quickly become chipped up from road grit/rocks. When I wash the truck, I frequently find impact sites on the deflector that saved the hood from a rock chip.

I did a video all about how to install it:

Good luck!

I gotta quit watching your videos quangdog, now I've got another job for the weekend

 

[HikingViking]

I had the AVS bug deflector and ended up taking it off as it caused more damage than it prevented. wore the pain off in 3 spots on the hood and one spot on the grill. My vote if you want to protect the hood get the 3m clear film and stay away from bug deflectors. Never again.

 

[CO2Ranger]

I had the AVS bug deflector and ended up taking it off as it caused more damage than it prevented. wore the pain off in 3 spots on the hood and one spot on the grill. My vote if you want to protect the hood get the 3m clear film and stay away from bug deflectors. Never again.

Can you post pictures where the paint was worn? Not seeing where that's possible with the one I'm using.

 

[Glocker]

I've only ever had one vehicle with a deflector, on a Ford Explorer, and it cause more damage than it could ever stop. Over the years, the deflector came into contact with the leading edge of the hood and wore right through the paint and cause surface rust over 1" to 2" long areas. Also, debris got caught down in the deflector where it didn't touch the leading edge of the hood, retained moisture, and caused rusting on the leading edge of the hood. The only way to keep it from happening was to remove the deflector and clean it. The only way to repair it was sand the damage to clean metal and paint it. Not a big fan of the deflectors!

 

[Leftcoast]

Why protect the paint by covering it. Like putting floor mats on floor mats.

I'm in the same camp and don't particularly like the look of a bug deflector. I can wash off bugs. I can't wash off the look of that thing. I try not to drive behind gravel trucks and our roads are fairly clean.

 

[quangdog]

Great video, quality work. I may actually get one. Is there a reason you put the sticky side on the truck as opposed to the deflector?

Only that I was following the instructions.... but honestly, putting them on the back side of the deflector would be better. Since doing that video, I've actually removed the bumpers all together, and have never seen the deflector come close to actually touching the front of the hood. If I were installing again, I'd put the bumpers on the rear of the deflector and leave them there, though.

 

[pull string get cookies]

I had the AVS bug deflector and ended up taking it off as it caused more damage than it prevented. wore the pain off in 3 spots on the hood and one spot on the grill. My vote if you want to protect the hood get the 3m clear film and stay away from bug deflectors. Never again.

I checked mine after reading your comment and found it rubbing off the paint in one spot. I’ll be removing mine until situation dictates that it’ll prevent more damage than it causes. Not as if it’s at all difficult to remove and reinstall.

 

[DanaBovender]

Here’s a picture of the AVS Aero in chrome on a Platinum Lariat

 

[DanaBovender]

my experience with bug deflectors is that the only bugs they actively can deflect upwards are the small buggers that dont matter.
the bigger bugs just dont get pushed up and over, and they are the ones that make big messes on the windshield that turn into greased bug guts when you hit them with the washer fluid.

They are good rock protectors for that small area, but do nothing for anywhere else.

Not worth the investment in my opinion.

I paid $40 for it shipped from Amazon Warehouse new in box, well worth it to me for those rock chips.

 

[CO2Ranger]

I checked mine after reading your comment and found it rubbing off the paint in one spot. I’ll be removing mine until situation dictates that it’ll prevent more damage than it causes. Not as if it’s at all difficult to remove and reinstall.

I inspected mine today while washing. I can see where you'd get some rub. I might add a thin strip of PPF on the leading edge of the hood as a precaution.

 

[Markubis]

I inspected mine today while washing. I can see where you'd get some rub. I might add a thin strip of PPF on the leading edge of the hood as a precaution.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Lucky2013]

I installed the AVS 2 weeks ago. What a difference !!! I live in CA in the Valley. At this time of the year we have bees everywhere because the trees are blooming. The AVS made a hughe difference. The windshield stays bug / bee free. The AVS is easy to install and sturdy ! Looks great on my grey Ranger.

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