Hood mounted bug-sheilds=bad news!

[Gryphon]

I have been festidious about cleaning out under my delfectasheild (yes, brand name) hood guard. I knew I have some junk under there so I pulled it ysterday when I washed the truck.

This is what I found:

This was just one spot. The whole area under the sheild was like this, rust bubbled and pitted. I put the thing back on for now. I really like the looks of it, and it seems to work to keep some road junk off my windsheild, but not at this expense.

I wonder if it would be different if some of that clear vinyl has been applied under it, or some kind of buffer to keep the plastic off the body. I may experiement when I grind the rust out later on (too cold still!) I am not too miffed as I need to replace the hood anyway, but whatta pain!

Next project is to remove the Lund visor and see what kind of damage lurks under it! (Yes, I need a new grille, but that will come later):bash:

 

[psychoklr]

I hate those bug shields they are just as bad as car bras. If I was you I'l leave it off that is brutal what it did to your paint.

 

[tkr128]

Ouch, that looks pretty bad. One of the reasons I went with the Toyota bug deflector instead of the "Canadian" deflectors on my 4th gen is because it sits about an inch above the hood.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Ditto tkr128! With that inch to spare one can run a couple of fingers beneath it when washing and waxing the 4Runner. I bought a bra for my Runner but have never installed it because of the horror stories I read after buying it. I'll save it until my runner gets about 8-10 years old.

 

[kimboy]

Wow, looks like some bad ass hood rash or STD's for your truck. Are you going to find a replacement hood?

 

[Gryphon]

Wow, looks like some bad ass hood rash or STD's for your truck. Are you going to find a replacement hood?

Yeppers on the replacement hood! The rust is repairable, but there was some poorly repaired body work to the hood too, so I am going to just chunk the whole thing. Thats the main reason why I just put it back on. (Some previous owner had the grille mashed and the hood and front fender crumpled. Fender looks good, but the body gaps are poor, and the drivers side doors were sprung. I fixed them, just have the grille and hood to finish.)

 

[General Lee]

You can install a clear Bra if you really wanted to protect that area then re-install the bug shield. You won't even know the bra is there. Its best to find an installer for the Bra though they can be a PITA to install.

 

[hre814]

the 'canadian bug shield' does sit a little lower, but i can get something in there to clean mine. mine doesn't come in contact with the hood at all.

 

[msanta]

My Lund bug deflector is raised enough for me to clean under but it is very easy to take off. It only has 4 screws. I take it off when I wax the truck.

 

[hre814]

yeah, i think mine has 6 screws that make it removable. removing it to wax is a good idea.

 

[iFORCE]

The Canadian Bug-deflector utilizes rubber "bumpers" that sits between the deflector and the hood. Therefore no water gets trapped.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

The Canadian Bug-deflector utilizes rubber "bumpers" that sits between the deflector and the hood. Therefore no water gets trapped.

I realize this thread isn't active, and some of you also may not be active, but my Lund has a bunch of rubber gasket type things between the hood and visor, as well. Not sure if the previous owner put them there on his own or if they came with it.