Rain Deflectors - Are They Effective?

“I've been postponing the acquisition of those funky plexiglass rain deflectors for my SUV windows, in large part because I can only seem to come up with "reviews" by the people who sell them - especially at the car dealer I got mine from. They're not terribly pricey (unless you get them from your car dealer), but I'm still hesitant.

From what I've seen, they appear to require nothing more than a clean surface against which to stick the things, apparently with some sort of double sticky tape.

How effective are they?

Do all attach by some sort of sticky backing?

Would the sticky backing remove the paint, if taken off?

Any other thoughts? Your comments would be appreciated...

Thanks.”

“The windshield wipers of my van wouldn't hardly wipe the windows when going faster than 50mph, so I got a deflector for the hood and it works well keeping the wind off (somewhat) and from affecting the wipers.

Mine took screws which I had to drill 3-4 holes for. They also give you rubber dots to stick to the shield that keep the shield from scratching/hitting the paint on the hood.

Mine was worth the money for what I needed it for.”

“If you live in an area where they salt the roads they're not a good idea. The salt gets stuck under the rain deflecter and you'll end up with a rusted hood before you know it!”

“Never had a hood mounted rain deflector but I did have a pair of the side window mounted ones on my old Bronco 2. They did the job pretty well. I could crack the windows about 2 inches in the rain and none would come in.”

“Obi Wan--

'sticky tape' is most likely made by 3M corp. The reason there are no reviews (except by the people that sell it) is that there is pretty much a monopoly on 'sticky tape' (3M is pretty much the only co. that makes high structural strength pressure sensitive adhesives). I would say go for it. 80% of your car is bonded with 'sticky tape' (in lieu of welding/mechanical fastening) by the way. Also, those planes you fly in are also held together by 'sticky tape..' now try to sleep tonight Ü

just my 2 cents from a materials engineer...”

“Maybe I'm thinking of a bug deflector?”

“I have had the bug deflectors and window rain shields on several trucks. The bug deflectors are great on gravel roads. The rain shields they where smoke colored and worked well for me but I also had some that where painted the color of my truck. These where a pain in the @$$ while that smoke color ones do make the A body pillar wider and take some getting use to the painted ones created a blind spot that I thought was dangerous. As for as the stick tape there are some custom ones that are made for some cars that will slip into the window opening and snap into place. But I have never had a problem with the ones with the tape. As far as damage to the paint I was able to remove that painted ones easy enough but I had to replace that with smoke colored ones because the paint on the rest of the truck had faded and that paint under the shield did not. All in all 3 stars for the smoke and clear ones but a don’t buy for the painted ones, just to dangerous.

I hope this helps
Grunt”

“Obi - you yuppie you. What kind of SUV did you get? Did you cry as you put the beemer out to pasture?”

“I have the window deflectors on a Ram PU, love em you can vent with less wind noise and leave them cracked in the parking lot without rain or hands getting in. BTW BIZ that 3-M stuff is a wonder, it never lets go. They even make surgical adhesives, my father in law was glued back together after surgery recently in lieu of stiches, ain't technology wonderful.”

“Rain difelcters????

Are those the little blue things that extend from the hood of peoples cars.

if so, they add a nice "Hick" look to your truck”

“I know what you're talking about. The ones that go over your windows, right?

The ones I got for mine are made by WeatherTech. They have a precision-machined mounting-flange that allows the deflector to be installed inside the window channel - no sticky tape to mar the looks. I had the sticky tape type on another SUV and liked these better.

I think they add a little to the styling and you can ride in the rain with the windows open a little or park on a hot day and leave them open a crack for ventilation without worries.”