Honda Hood Deflector questions

[Keoni]

For those who have installed the Honda-brand Hood Deflector:

1. Do the mounting brackets for the hood deflector scratch up your front hood? Is the installation reversible without seeing any damage to the paint?

2. Do you really need that center brace that sticks to the center of your hood under the deflector? I've never seen a 3rd party hood deflector with that kind of brace attached to the hood itself. If you could do it again, would you have left the brace off? Or perhaps would you stick the brace to the deflector rather than the hood?

From the instructions, it appears that it's a one-way street with this one...brackets look like they crimp up against the edges of the hood and may scratch. I am especially concerned about that big block/stopper that supposedly needs to be double-stick taped to the center of your hood.

Your thoughts, please.

Aloha,
Keoni

[bongus]

Hello Keoni, I installed the hood deflector the other day and everything went well. To answer a couple of your questions, the kit comes with a protective tape that should be placed in the area where the mounts attach to the hood. The tape is transparent. The actual mounts are not "crimped" they attach via friction. The way I have them mounted, the paint is not chipped or damaged. The install appears to be reversible...I have not tried removing it. In regards to the center tab...my guess is Honda designed this because I believe it provides more support to keep the deflector from breaking. I'm sure there is a good reason, I just can't tell you for sure. Hope this helps.

[ripncarz]

What bongus said, I installed mine with no trouble and looks to be reversible if you wanted to take it off. It's a nice solid fit and I think it looks great. The only drawback I see is a little more time cleaning to get between it, the brackets and the hood when it gets washed.

[Keoni]

Did both of you use the center bracket, or is Honda just playing it safe on this one? I was thinking of sticking the bracket to the actual deflector instead of to the hood...perhaps put a clear tape under the area that might touch the hood to prevent marring of the paint.

Your thoughts?

Aloha,
Keoni

[bongus]

I used the center bracket as described by Honda.

[amazonEX-L]

Anyone have any thoughts / comments on the 3m tape that they are afixing to the from of the hood - v/s the deflector?

[bongus]

Originally Posted by amazonEX-L

Anyone have any thoughts / comments on the 3m tape that they are afixing to the from of the hood - v/s the deflector?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking but, I will try and answer. The tape is complete clear. It feels rubbery to touch and probably 1/4 mm thick...this is a complete guess. It appears that the tape will help with protecting the paint. Also, the thickness is enough that it gives the brackets more fricition against the hood. Does this answer part of your question?

[Gonzo]

I wish I had the hood deflector installed. I took a 600 mile trip to Rochester NY from VA and got behind a truck droping bolders, have a nice chip in the paint that will probally cost more to repair than a replacement wind deflector, I also took three nice rocks to the windshield and got away with a slight chip, if this was my 03 accord I'm shurethe rocks would have been in my lap, first week with my accord a stone hit it at non highway speeds and put a nice crack in the winshield. Much mor hapy with the glass compound or manufacture of the ridge windshield!!!!!!

Gonzo

[amazonEX-L]

Originally Posted by bongus

I'm not quite sure what you are asking but, I will try and answer. The tape is complete clear. It feels rubbery to touch and probably 1/4 mm thick...this is a complete guess. It appears that the tape will help with protecting the paint. Also, the thickness is enough that it gives the brackets more fricition against the hood. Does this answer part of your question?

Thanks for the comment - I was asking whether or not the tape would suffice (do the job of protecting the hood) rather than installing the deflector which I find to be less than complementary to the vehicle (my view).

[shingles]

When I purchase the truck, I will be installing xpel/stonegard. It is basically transparent "tape" which will protect the paint.
I have it on all my vehicals and won't go without them.

www.xpel.com for more info.