OEM Bug Deflector Damaging Hood of 5th Gen

[McBPC]

I was wondering if anyone who has the bug deflector installed on there 5th gen has seen paint damage from the retaining clips that wrap around the lip of the front of the hood?

I installed the Toyota made hood deflector (purchased from the dealer) last week to help protect the matte black wrap and hood from bugs/road debris and this week I noticed that the clips were not only making contact with the top of the hood, but stretching/cutting the vinyl!

From what I can tell its only the vinyl that is damage and hopefully not the paint underneath. I will need to re-install the warp to know for sure, but I would have to assume that if it wasn't for the vinyl, the hood paint would have definitely been damaged by the retaining clips.

I have an appointment with Toyota this morning to show them the damage and hopefully they make good on the truck repair.

Either way I am shocked that Toyota approved the production of this accessory with such an obvious flaw that if R&D'd would have been found and refined.

I hope Toyota makes good on this....

stay tuned

 

[ron in sc]

I have one of those too. I threw out the tape or whatever it's called they sent with it to protect paint. I used some of that thick material that is applied to cars to protect paint from rock chips. You just need a piece so you can cut individual pieces and apply to hood. I first use a little soapy water in a spray bottle to slip them in to exactly where I want them then spray with alcohol and water mix to get them to stick. I actually did them in double thickness and have had no damage.

It is a pain in the ass to make and apply these strips but they do work.

Either way I am shocked that Toyota approved the production of this accessory with such an obvious flaw that if R&D'd would have been found and refined.

Unfortunately it does not work that way and Toyota almost certainly does not make that part.