SS Bugshield
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 13
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From: Indianapolis
SS Bugshield
Anyone seen the stainless steel bugshields that are formed similar to the lexan (polycarbonate) ones that are so prevelant? Like the look and resistance to dulling and scratching, but wonder about durability (getting bent) in a car wash??
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 213
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From: Milan, Il USA
I have a SS bug shield from Vent Shade that I bought to replace a plastic one that broke after about 18 months. I've had it since March of 2001 and no bending at all from car washes. It's pretty heavy gauge metal.
The only issue I had with it is that when I installed it I needed to put small strips of weather seal tape on each side of the mounting tabs that go between the grill surround and hood. Before I did that the mounting tabs of the shield vibrated against the bottom of the hood (not the top !) a little bit on the highway and the sound drove me nuts. I put a 3" strip of the foam tape on each side of the mounting tab and no problem since.
You will immediately notice that it works 100% better than the plastic one since it don't flex very much. I had a lot fewer bug 'hits' this past Summer than ever before.
Also, don't install it by yourself... Get a friend to help hold it since if the thing slips onto the paint while you're positioning it you'll ding the paint pretty good... I found out the hard way. After I installed it I took a small round file and took the edge off the thing so I wouldn't cut my hands when waxing the truck.
Hope this helps...
The only issue I had with it is that when I installed it I needed to put small strips of weather seal tape on each side of the mounting tabs that go between the grill surround and hood. Before I did that the mounting tabs of the shield vibrated against the bottom of the hood (not the top !) a little bit on the highway and the sound drove me nuts. I put a 3" strip of the foam tape on each side of the mounting tab and no problem since.
You will immediately notice that it works 100% better than the plastic one since it don't flex very much. I had a lot fewer bug 'hits' this past Summer than ever before.
Also, don't install it by yourself... Get a friend to help hold it since if the thing slips onto the paint while you're positioning it you'll ding the paint pretty good... I found out the hard way. After I installed it I took a small round file and took the edge off the thing so I wouldn't cut my hands when waxing the truck.
Hope this helps...