I have a 2003 Camry LE and I am thinking about installing a bug deflector on the front hood. It is a plastic visor (smoked color) attached to the front hood with some small plastic holders and screws. One of the brand names is called Form Fit Hood Deflector for about $90.
My concern is whether this thing can scratch/damage the paint around the places it attaches itself to the hood and is it sturdy enough so that it does not loosen up while driving or fly away suddenly during driving?
I have had one on my Matrix for over a year and it is excellent (and it's the Form Fit brand). Be sure you put the plastic bumpers on the CAR HOOD and not the deflector and you will have no problem with paint damage. It comes off in seconds for cleaning underneath and goes right back on. Don't over-tighten the screws either. Highly recommended.
Regards, Mark Pippin
I installed a OE bug deflector on my '03 XLE and so far it has worked great. After four months, no stone chips (or bugs) . With my '00 XLE and no deflector the hood was covered with stone chips. By using a Toyota OE deflector they guarantee no paint damage. With after-market, who knows??
how much are those bug deflectors at the dealer?>
My dealer told me the contrary when I installed my front-end mask. Toyota won't fix any paint damage/rusting etc., resulting from use/failure of these accessories.
--Ibrahim
A front end mask (Bra) and a bug deflector are 2 different things. I would NEVER put a bra on a car unless I was trying to hide an already rock chipped front end. They will destroy your paint. I have a OE deflector on my 2002 LE and it works great, no problems with it loosening up or damaging the paint. I would recommend it.
List price in Canada for a Toyota Bug Deflector is $91.00 (Can)
A front-end mask is in constant contact with the car, unlike the bug deflector. It also moves relative to the car's surface, and therefore is almost guaranteed to cause paint rubbing damage long term, not to mention fading. I would never use one on my car. The deflector, on the other hand, is not in direct contact with the surface of the car.
Mark Pippin
I'm with you. But if you read my post again, I was talking about the "guarantee" point that M.J.S. made.
--Ibrahim
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