Potential fix for OEM hood protector

After I ordered my hood protector and threw away the box I started reading on here about anything I might need to know before I installed it. As most of you know, most comments about Toyota's offering are less than positive. I like the look of the hood protector so I decided to try to do something to it so I could use it with out damaging my hood. Time will tell if this is going to be a good solution, but here is what I did. I ordered a roll of Teflon tape from here:
http://www.cshyde.com/Tapes/Data/PTFEH-Binfo.htm
I got the .03" thick x .5" wide tape. It is really hard, yet flexible (to wrap around the curve of the hood edge). It is super slick and should resist wear well.

 

I put the tape that came with the hood protector on the hood, then 2 strips of the Teflon tape side by side so it was an inch wide, then covered that with black electrical tape so the white Teflon tape did not stand out against my dark hood.

 

I had to bend the clip to fit around the new tape on the hood. I did this by heating the clip with a torch then sliding a screwdriver shaft into the bend that would go around the hood. I had a screwdriver just the right diameter. I tapped the clip over the screwdriver shaft opening up the radius of the bend to fit snugly over the tape on the hood. I did not get a picture of this, sorry......

 

I had to gently tap the clip over the Teflon tape with a mallet, it was a real snug fit. I also had to bend the angle of the clip to meet up with the hole under the hood.

 

The fit on the hood seems very good, I cannot wiggle the clips on the hood and it does not move around even at highway speed. I am hoping between the thickness and friction resistance of the Teflon, and the ultra snug fit, I can avoid hood damage. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this, but I think this might be a good potential solution. I will report back as time goes on, but just wanted to share what I did. What do you guys think???

 

Looks good, but only time will tell.

I got an ERB bug shield so I didn't have to worry about that. (Did a little research before I ordered mine and said screw the OEM shield)

 

Honestly I think the hood deflectors are a waist. They do not protect enough and take away from the looks of the hood. I have not had one on and I have no chips. My cousin has had one since new and he has a couple of nice chips on the hood and in the windshield.

 

i got my truck used, and it had the hood protector on it already. whoever put it on there did a similar thing, but the tape was not as thick. i took the protector off because i dont like it, and the paint was still chipped even with the padding they put in there.

 

By chance do you have a update on this???
Have you checked for any damage?

 

Guy hasnt been here in a year. The protector probably flew through his windshield and killed him.