Would you buy one of these "hood protectors?"

I think it looks cool, but double sided tape goes on the hood.

$90 Auto Ventshade [AVS] Aeroskin Hood Protector | Fits 2016 - 2023 Toyota Tacoma | Low Profile Deflector / Bug Shield - 1 pc., Matte Black | 377079

Amazon.com: Auto Ventshade [AVS] Aeroskin Hood Protector | Low Profile, Matte Black, 1 pc | 377079 | Fits 2016 - 2022 Toyota Tacoma : Automotive

 

No...reminds me of the "Bra".
Terrible fad...

 

They can look pretty cool, but are essentially non-functional as they are so low-profile, as to only protect the very leading edge of the hood, and not even the painted bezel in front of them.

 

Taking it off with be a bitch and the moisture held under the bug shield is not good in my opinion. I installed one on my neighbor's black tacoma and it was always showing sweat moisture spots. Not for me!

 

Cheap looking

 

Never understood hood protectors for most vehicles. I would say yes with my Sienna because It does get nailed but with my Tacoma I need a header panel /grill /bumper protector more. No bugs ever hit the hood. You guys with scoops may catch a few.

 

I wouldn't buy that particular one, but I DID buy one similar when I first bought my truck. I had seen a truck like mine before I bought mine, and LOVED the way it looked. So I pretty much copied his, and for me, the "hood protector" or "bug deflector", whatever you want to call it, was really for looks, although I do say it has protected the front edge of my hood, so I think it was well worth it, even though I got it for looks. In fact, you inspired me to post some pics of my truck.

 

While you are correct for some models of protectors/deflectors, it depends on the model. Some actually DO lay right on the hood, and do present the problems you pointed out. However, as in the case of my own, it does NOT lay directly onto the hood, but is slightly off of it. It simply screws on too, to holes already there for that purpose, under the hood. Check out my other reply comment to see pics of mine.

 

I would not buy one that tapes to the hood. I bought a Weathertech that is held on by screwing into existing holes on the underside of the hood. No tape involved. As to them collecting trash underneath, this one has room so you can reach under it when you wash the hood.

 

Had one and saw behind it, it was collecting a lot of dirt and debris. Researching it some more, people were complaining about that debris eating the paint off and causing rust on the hood. I took mine off.

 

Mine wasn't the tape on one. It was held it by screws. I thought there was room behind it too but truth is its still gotta be squashed between the opening and it will collect dirt where you cannot see it. For those who have one, keep it on for a year and take it off and you'd be surprised how much dirt build up is under it.

 

That's the one I had,screws under the hood. Didn't really help much!

 

It depends on what you want it to do. Does it protect the front part of the hood? Yes. Does it protect the windshield from EVERY little rock, etc? Of course not. I mean, it all depends on WHERE the rocks happen to fly at the windshield at. But, it does do what it is supposed to do, which is, to protect the front of the hood.

 

I would not buy one

 

NO

Nothing looks more stuck on and out of place than those…

fugly.

 

It’s funny how many people who give negative reviews about the performance of something never tried the product in the first place.

There’s a pretty strong deflection of bugs and other junk from hitting at least the middle and lower half of the windshield with this on my truck, especially at highway speed. And who’s ever seen all those chips on the leading edge of your hood when you’ve had some mileage on your truck? This thing covers that area pretty well.

I probably wouldn’t get one though if I lived in a place with a lot of snow, it’s likely to get sheared off if you don’t clear your roof and hood and all the snow slides forward at a stop sign.

 

I've had both types... wouldn't buy the tape-on again.

Had Aeroskin on my 2018. Did it for looks more than protection. I found that the double sided tape would pull away from the hood in the contours as the temperature changed. The whirlybirds (that's what we call them) from the tree would get caught between the paint and the tape... not ideal.

Now I have AVS Bugflector on my 2020. I like it, but I would not install the "no-drill" bolt-on type without first installing 3M paint film on every surface it touches. It has saved my hood from chips, but I don't think it makes any difference with the windshield.

 

I bought my truck with it on and whoever had it, put those rubber bumpers on the freaking hood and not the protector itself lol other than that i think it looks a lot better with it on. They do collect dirt though, I just take it off once a month when I wash her. Luckily the paint cleans up great for however long it’s been on there. Now I’m gonna think about how I can get those damn rubber bumpers off the hood

 

I have weather tech, also I plan on keeping it on the truck as long as I own the truck, so even if it collects dust or tarnishes paint, it's moot point because I'll never get to see it taken off anyway

 

I tried it out for a bit but ended up taking it off.