Is it just me or does every single bug / wind deflector on the market attach to the hood of a newer F-150 (2019) via 3M tape or by using clips that wrap around the edge of the hood? I have searched and searched but cannot find anything for a non-Raptor F-150 that doesn't mount in one of those two ways. I really don't like the 3M mounting method because I'm afraid of what that tape is going to do to my paint if it's stuck on the hood for a few years. And I don't want metal clips wrapping around the edge of my hood even though they include vinyl tape where the clips go. Just seems like you're asking for trouble with metal clips wrapping over the edge of the hood.

I've always used deflectors on other vehicles and they never mounted like in the two ways I've seen available for the newer F-150s. I suppose I could look into paint protection film. But I kind of like the looks of deflectors and I think they provide good protection against stone chips along the edge of the hood.

Thanks

 

I feel your frustrations. Gone are the simple days of taking a bug deflector out of the box, holding it in place and drilling a couple of holes into the underside of the hood.

Now it involves raising the hood, pulling weather stripping, lining up holes in the hood with the holes in the bug deflector, anchoring in place with plastic plugs, maybe replace some of the weather stripping, lower the hood, and say "Well Crap, what a piece of junk". Been there done that!!!

I ordered an AVS deflector months ago, and ended up sending it back to Amazon for the above reason. It wasn't worth the frustration of attempting to get a secure mount again, and again, and again
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I was close to ordering one of the AVS deflectors that attach with tape directly to the hood, but then started finding too many post of the tape pulling loose. Not pulling loose from the vehicle hood, but from the contact between the tape and the deflector and then beating the hood and paint until the driver could pull over and remove the deflector. I pull my F150 behind our motorhome which means if the tape were to release while in tow there could be all kinds of damage before I was able to address removing the bug shield.

I did order a bug deflector the other day from Amazon, it is a "Wade" brand, which I have used in the past. I am going to take my time and try a few different attachment ideas. Such as the "Wade" parts and pieces in conjunction with some 1" wide 50# double stick Monster Tape. If it works, well then GREAT!! If it doesn't work, then well Crap!!! Important thing is that I now know what I am up against and the frustration factor should be greatly lessened.

 

I have one of the flush fitting Ford branded ones in my SD. I believe it is an AVS Aeroskin. I like the way it attaches with 3m tape. Applied properly, 3m tape is unlikely to come off. I have never seen it cause paint damage.

 

Reviews from the original AeroSkin (flush mount, paintable) and the AeroSkin II (with air-deflecting ridge, textured black) were mixed together on Amazon and they really only apply to the original deflector. I have the AeroSkin II on my truck and the thing is never coming off, with the amount of tape pre-applied and when you clean and prep the surface correctly.

 

I have an AVS in my 16 instead of the plastic plugs I used 3/16th aluminum rivets to hold it in place. Solid as a rock.

 

https://www.lamin-x.com/ford-f-150-1...CABEgKjh_D_BwE

Simple answer to a complex question.

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18 Lariat 502a

 

I have had AVS since 15' on my F150. I used tape and some screws not those cheap plugs. I used the same holes that were in the hood. No problems after 65k miles.

 

I removed one off my truck after it cracked. It was on the truck a few years. The tape was fine. It was all still holding strong, didn’t mess up the paint over time or coming off, or anything like that. The rest of the paint under it however was pretty bad! Tons of good sized pits and rub marks and such! Especially across the top bend. Far more than any naturally occurring stone chips and such over time. I guess the profile is just too low on them these days to stay reasonably clean underneath and any slight movement from wind buffeting etc really grinds any grit trapped behind into the paint.

 

Last month I ordered one of the avs aeroskin stick on deflectors after seeing a coworkers on his new f350. Really liked how it looked and seemed pretty sturdy. Once I got mine in, took it out of the box, took a look at how the tape was placed on it, put it back in the box and returned it. Tape did not completely cover the entire edge so looked like dirt and grit could get under it. Wasn't a fan of that. After I returned it, not 2 weeks later I took another look at my friend f350 and his was already peeling off. His truck is 5 months old. I know a lot of people have these and have good luck with them but not for me.

 

That's why I stopped running bug guards a few trucks ago. They usually caused more paint damage than not running one and I don't really like how they look on the newer trucks. I never had an issue with paint chips on my hood without one. The only paint chipping I've had on the front end of a couple trucks was the painted front bumper.