AVOID WEATHER TECH BUG DEFLECTOR! yikes~

MICA4R

MICA4R

New member
Was about to put my credit card info into weathertech's website and then I figured I should see what AMAZONIANS are saying about this!

look at what I found!

I installed this on my 2007 Toyota 4runner back in 2007. Installation was easy enough--no drilling required. Only thing that needed to be done was to loosen the front grill plate to slide the edge of the deflector in, and then 2 screws to existing holes on the underside of the hood and it was secured...

The deflector seemed to work well enough--I'll never know. I still got innumerable bugs etc... as well as 2 rock chips that eventually cracked the windshield requiring replacement.

HOWEVER, I decided to take the deflector off yesterday, and when removing it, noticed that where the deflector sat flush against the front of the car hood (where it tucked into the grill edge) there were numerous (over 1 dozen) paint pit marks--undoubtedly from where the plastic rubbed directly against the paint. Even worse, the pits were all showing rust!

I just sent an email to Weathertech yesterday, and am still waiting for a response--I wouldn't hold my breath however, waiting for a resolution.

This deflector WILL rub your paint and eventually cause rust. The only way it can avoid this would be to re-design a full-floating deflector, a relatively easy fix.

I would AVOID this bug deflector (and probably all other ones)!!

Here's the photographic proof of the damage caused to my hood:

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/014.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/011.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/008.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/012.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/013.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/nofear38/4Runner/005.jpg
 
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not sure if any of them were meant to deflect rocks, maybe keep some bugs off the front of the hood tho. take a look at the oem toyota one, it sits higher off the hood.
 
Yeah, bro. Sorry to hear about the damage. The OEM hood protector on my 03 did the SAME THING but WORSE!!!

The metal brackets on the furthest-most ends went THROUGH the CC, paint, primer and into the STEEL HOOD!!!! I WAS PISSED!!!!

I took it off, wire brushed down to steel, rubbed with alcohol, 3 coats primer, 3 coats paint, 3 coats CC (excessive, i know...but i have no rust for 3 years since).

I put it back on (hear me out) but i doctored a way to protect the hood. It involves the silicone feet that go on the bottom of chair legs so they dont scratch the floor. I used this technique on the 08 i got as well, and all's been perfect with it.
 
ive not had a problem with mine so far, the metal brackets bolt under neath & theres a protective strip between them & the hood. i can imagine , that given enough time , because of the air pressure, the metal may eventually work its way through the strip tho, so i think i'll put a thin piece of extra silicone in there to make sure. on a side note, dont alot of aftermarket ones come with rubber stickon bumpers to keep it off the hood? the ones i had in the past did.
 
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Deflector

chaz said:
not sure if any of them were meant to deflect rocks, maybe keep some bugs off the front of the hood tho. take a look at the oem toyota one, it sits higher off the hood.
Click to expand...

This is the one i want where did you get it from???
Jet
 
I got my OEM bug deflector from Toyotapartsoutlet.com.

...and yes, the metal brackets WILL eventually chew thru those cheap silicone strips. I put them on my ride, but ALSO put the silicone bumpers UNDER the bracket, therefore protecting the hood.

Check it out!

hoodprotector2.jpg~original
 
that is why i don't use one of those deflectors, and why i don't use the window sill vents. it'll just do more harm than good down the line.
 
My buddy has an 03 SR5 with no deflectors, he has more pebble-scratches, rock-dings and crap like that on the front of his hood than I would ever be comfortable with.
 
Actually, OEM deflector has foam sticking tape in the kit which goes exectly over your damaged area. So, deflector sits against the foam, not the hood. Probably, they missed this detail at Weathertech.
 
I steer clear of these too for the same reason. I've seen a lot of this on vehicles over the years. I had an old GMC that had a bug deflector on for a long time, it "pinched" between the hood and grill. Over the years of hot summers it eventually deformed the plastic of the grill too. Those experiences set my opinion of them.

The T4R I have now had the clear film on the front when I bought it, it's performed well and considering it's 7 years old now still looks really good. I wouldn't put it on a black vehicle but most others you barely see it.
 
I had that 3M film on my old Sequoia. Great stuff. I just like the look of the 4Runner A LOT with the OEM bug deflector on it.
 
I’m always super hesitant with anything that will be in contact with the paint. It is always bound to cause paint damage. There is definitely a few things you can do if you decide to get a bug deflector though. Order some paint protection film (PPF) and place it where the deflector will come in contact with the paint. It’ll last a few years and keep that spot looking like brand new.


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