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Maybe not what you are looking for. I got the Aeroskin II textured black. It matches really well with the other OEM plastic trim on the truck. It fits right against the hood and the way its is designed is good for deflecting rocks away from the hood and windshield. Bugs, not sure any deflector really helps with that.
I can help you a little bit, you have pics in this thread if you go for looks. I have been trying to decide on one for a while and this thread come up at least once a week. So in the last 3 months of me looking I just placed an order for the new Ford OEM version.
After 3 month of looking and reading basically it boiled down to 2 main deflectors, here they are and pros and cons.
Both will protect you.
Aeroskin II Seen in Stevie B
Make sure this is the II version if what you want, this is the second generation. You will see a lot of people complaining about this one falling off and so on. Thats the first generation.
Pro - Probably one of the best looking ones out there. Definitely tough as nails or any stone thrown at your truck.
Cons - Stuck on via adhesive strips. To remove is a pain, you can not wax or clean well under it. Can be removed carefully, but you would probably need to buy a new one to reattach if needed. My biggest problem with this is I have vinyl striping and I see no way to remove this without destroying the stripes. Anyway think of this as kind of a permanent addition to your truck. Also if not applied correctly on a clean vehicle with properly prepped surface, there is a chance it could come off. Now that chance is next to nothing if you properly prepare and clean the surface. It is held on with the same stuff the badges on the truck are held on with. Just take your time and do it right.
Ford OEM Second generation. Shown in MikeGS1952 post in this thread.
Again make sure you get the second generation. The first generation was junk, it broke a lot and people complaining about it they had the first generation. The part number for the second generation is GL3Z16C900A I also recommend ordering it from a dealer. I ordered mine from Tasca, which is yeah 15% cheaper than the dealer but you have to pay $20 in shipping which well puts you at $5 more than order from a dealer. Most dealers can have it next day. Still waiting on Tasca to ship mine I ordered it last week.
Pro's - This clips on to the hood using factory mounting holes under the hood. No tape and no adhesive. If you want to remove it for washing and waxing, 10 minute job, then 10 min to put back on.
Cons - Has the Ford logo on it. Not quite as tough as the Aeroskin. The rubber cups that protect it from hitting the hood kind of look a little silly but they are under them. Other than that just doesn't have as an aggressive look as the Aeroskin. Made from shiny plastic which will scratch up and nick and so on.
As far as that goes there are other defelctors. The clear one that a lot of people use really has a lot of promise. You can paint it from the underside, if forget off the top of my head but I am pretty sure it attaches with both adhesive and clips. I didn't investigate this one because I have Ruby Red and being a 3 stage metallic paint, I am not going to get that to match well and probably a lot of frustration.
I did try a weather tech when i first got my truck, it broke right after install when I shut the hood. Not sure what happened to them. I have their wind deflectors on my windows too, I had to remove twice, they are cracked and split now already as well. Cheaper plastic maybe. Anyway, all the other deflectors use either a combination of adhesives or clips or just adhesive. I have not found another besides the OEM one that just clips in, which yes the first gen sucked, however the second gen is very nice.
Good job on the comparison. I have had mine the Aeroskin II now for about three weeks and have done a bit of highway driving and there have been no issues with it coming loose. I may have said before, I installed it on a very warm day, let sun warm up deflector as well. I also used a 3m adhesive promoter as well where the tape sticks to the hood to ensure good adhesion. Not sure why they call it a bug deflector anyway, because at night the bugs aren't just at grille height LOL. They will still hit your windshield and everywhere else. Totally agree with the adhesion, take your time and make sure its warm out. I have been checking mine and its very solid. I'm not concerned about what is underneath, since I did not lease the truck I do not mind attaching it to the paint.
I can help you a little bit, you have pics in this thread if you go for looks. I have been trying to decide on one for a while and this thread come up at least once a week. So in the last 3 months of me looking I just placed an order for the new Ford OEM version.
After 3 month of looking and reading basically it boiled down to 2 main deflectors, here they are and pros and cons.
Both will protect you.
Aeroskin II Seen in Stevie B
Make sure this is the II version if what you want, this is the second generation. You will see a lot of people complaining about this one falling off and so on. Thats the first generation.
Pro - Probably one of the best looking ones out there. Definitely tough as nails or any stone thrown at your truck.
Cons - Stuck on via adhesive strips. To remove is a pain, you can not wax or clean well under it. Can be removed carefully, but you would probably need to buy a new one to reattach if needed. My biggest problem with this is I have vinyl striping and I see no way to remove this without destroying the stripes. Anyway think of this as kind of a permanent addition to your truck. Also if not applied correctly on a clean vehicle with properly prepped surface, there is a chance it could come off. Now that chance is next to nothing if you properly prepare and clean the surface. It is held on with the same stuff the badges on the truck are held on with. Just take your time and do it right.
Ford OEM Second generation. Shown in MikeGS1952 post in this thread.
Again make sure you get the second generation. The first generation was junk, it broke a lot and people complaining about it they had the first generation. The part number for the second generation is GL3Z16C900A I also recommend ordering it from a dealer. I ordered mine from Tasca, which is yeah 15% cheaper than the dealer but you have to pay $20 in shipping which well puts you at $5 more than order from a dealer. Most dealers can have it next day. Still waiting on Tasca to ship mine I ordered it last week.
Pro's - This clips on to the hood using factory mounting holes under the hood. No tape and no adhesive. If you want to remove it for washing and waxing, 10 minute job, then 10 min to put back on.
Cons - Has the Ford logo on it. Not quite as tough as the Aeroskin. The rubber cups that protect it from hitting the hood kind of look a little silly but they are under them. Other than that just doesn't have as an aggressive look as the Aeroskin. Made from shiny plastic which will scratch up and nick and so on.
As far as that goes there are other defelctors. The clear one that a lot of people use really has a lot of promise. You can paint it from the underside, if forget off the top of my head but I am pretty sure it attaches with both adhesive and clips. I didn't investigate this one because I have Ruby Red and being a 3 stage metallic paint, I am not going to get that to match well and probably a lot of frustration.
I did try a weather tech when i first got my truck, it broke right after install when I shut the hood. Not sure what happened to them. I have their wind deflectors on my windows too, I had to remove twice, they are cracked and split now already as well. Cheaper plastic maybe. Anyway, all the other deflectors use either a combination of adhesives or clips or just adhesive. I have not found another besides the OEM one that just clips in, which yes the first gen sucked, however the second gen is very nice.
Hope that helps
Thanks for the awesome comparison! Leaning towards the sticker as it looks clean and sharp. They are 50 bucks if it lasts a few years it has done it's job. Thanks for all the input guys!
I had the stick on Ford bug deflector that came unstuck while driving 65 mph and started flapping. I wouldn't do the stick on. Yes the hood was very well cleaned and prepped.
