Having beautiful windshields is the desire of many car enthusiasts, and the reason for this is not only the popularity of Hollywood films that glorify the beauty of speed and the aesthetics of sports cars like the Fast and the Furious series. But not everyone welcomes such “tuning” - you can often hear how it can spoil the appearance with its obsessive provocative design.
Nevertheless, installing deflectors helps the motorist avoid many problems, in the long run allowing him to save peace of mind, time and money - indeed, their installation will not take more than an hour. It should be noted that all this will be relevant only if you install the deflectors yourself - alas, this service is very popular in car repair shops, and therefore the price may turn out to be quite “evil”.
However, as was said earlier, their installation is not a labor-intensive process, does not require much time and is quite feasible even for inexperienced motorists. Further, the article will reveal the main reasons why you should think about purchasing and installing deflectors, their types, various installation locations in addition to the hood, some features of the installation itself, and draw conclusions containing some reasoning on this topic and summing up everything written below.
Method 1: hood deflectors are attached with self-tapping screws
The oldest method, used by the first owners of fly swatters, is to attach the hood deflectors directly to its surface using self-tapping screws. This option is reliable, simple and suitable for absolutely any car, ensuring that the product is pressed tightly against the hood.
However, with all this, attaching hood deflectors using this method is far from the best idea. Extra holes, especially on the top of the hood, will definitely not bring any benefit, becoming an additional weak point and a potential source of corrosion on the hood. After the deflector wears out, you will either have to replace it with a new one, or fill the holes in the hood, which will definitely not add beauty to the car.
How to choose the right plastic cover?
Today, in car stores there are a large number of deflectors that differ not only in shape and size, but also in color. Thanks to this variety, the motorist can choose a fly swatter that best suits his requirements. However, do not forget about the selection rules. The main thing you should pay attention to when purchasing is the external condition of the plastic deflector.
Method 2: fly swatter on the hood with double-sided tape
This option, such as using only double-sided tape, is suitable for exclusively city cars that are not designed for sudden maneuvers and driving at high speeds. For them, the fly swatter on the hood is only a decoration, and therefore does not need strong fastening.
A big mistake is adding additional glue to what is already on the tape. The fly swatter on the hood will indeed hold on more firmly, but if damaged, it will only be possible to tear it off together with the paint or varnish, piece by piece. If you want to increase the reliability of the connection, simply heat the tape with a hair dryer before installing the fly swatter. This will strengthen the connection, but during sudden maneuvers there is still a chance that the accessory will fly off the car.
Understanding the concepts
The stable name fly swatter was assigned to this element. If you go to any car accessories store and ask for a fly swatter, no one will definitely give you a special stick that is used to kill flies at home.
Everyone knows perfectly well what we are talking about. It’s just that the popular vernacular has changed its guidelines somewhat, as a result of which sophisticated solutions from such manufacturers as Sim, EGR, Vip Tuning are naively called fly swatters. But look what the Silkscreen series from CO Plastic looks like. It’s a shame to call such elements flyswatters.
The correct name is deflector. Translated from Latin, it means to reject. This is an element of aerodynamics that, using its shape, can redirect air flows. Here it would be logical to remember what a spoiler is.
We sorted out the names. Let's move on.
Method 3: buy hood deflectors with a special bracket
The best way to attach fly swatters is to buy hood deflectors, which come with a special mounting bracket. It provides several advantages:
there is no need to drill holes in the hood. Technological holes are used that are on the inside;
the fastening is reliable, and the fly swatter is guaranteed not to fall off even during sudden turns and high speeds;
the accessory can be easily installed and removed without causing any damage to the car.
If you decide to buy deflectors for the hood with such a fastening, then double-sided tape can still be useful as small gaskets for a tighter fit of the fly swatters on the hood. They definitely won't make noise or vibrate, but this is more of an additional precaution than a necessary measure.
Our store offers affordable model accessories designed for installation on a specific machine, as well as universal products that are no less reliable and attractive in appearance. Take a look at the catalog and choose an original and beautiful, useful new thing for your car!
Manufacturers and prices
The purpose of deflectors determines their main properties: lightness, strength, resistance to temperature changes, and ultraviolet radiation. The most suitable material that meets these requirements is plastic.
Thickness is a criterion for choosing a fly swatter, and flawless processing of the edges is also important. For example, for a brand such as EGR, the thickness is 2 - 2.5 mm, for Benevento - from 3 to 4 mm.
Another factor is the mounting method. The fastener design must be thoughtful, reliable, and prevent damage to the hood.
For a fly swatter, the price is determined by a combination of the listed factors. A brief description of the manufacturers of fly swatters for the VAZ Priora, predominant in the Russian market segment, is given in the following list:
- SA Plastic, plexiglass, 1600 – 1900 rubles;
- SIM, acrylic, 1600 – 1730 rubles;
- REIN, Autofamily (Autoparts Logistics), acrylic, 850 RUR;
- Vinguru, Autofamily (Avtoparts Logistics), polycarbonate, 550 rub.;
- Vip Tuning, VIP LLC, acrylic, 730 – 1100 rubles;
- VT52, VIP-NN LLC, acrylic, 1300 rub.;
- ANV, 660 rub.
What is a hood deflector for?
As the power of car engines increased, they began to come up with streamlined body shapes to reduce air resistance at high speeds. Engineers and designers are trying to create a body shape that will have the best appearance and low resistance, that is, the shape should be streamlined and cut through the air flow.
This is what the installation diagram for a fly swatter on a Chevrolet Niva looks like.
All models of fly swatters have deflectors with a raised edge, due to which the oncoming air flow rises sharply upward. That is, flying insects that were supposed to crash into the hood or windshield fly off with the outgoing air flow and manage to rise above the windshield. Thus, both flying insects remain alive and the car is clean.
Pros and cons of the deflector
Like any part or device, a fly swatter for a car has both pros and cons.
pros
If the deflector is installed correctly, it has good geometry, then when the car moves at high speeds, the hood and windshield will not get dirty with insects, they will fly safely over the obstacle. A fly swatter is a springboard for flying insects. Moreover, they themselves fly quickly, plus the car drives quickly. In addition to its main purpose, the deflector can be used as a decorative element for external car tuning.
Minuses
When driving at low speeds, there is no effect from the deflector. It will simply give a certain look to the car body. Low speeds are now considered to be speeds less than 100 km/h.
If you install the fly swatter incorrectly on the hood of the car, then debris (leaves, insects, sand, etc.) will gradually collect under it. This is what will happen if you install the deflector on the hood of your car incorrectly. In addition to the possible formation of corrosion due to the accumulation and wetting of debris under the fly swatter, the deflector may rattle. This happens due to the plastic material being too soft. The noise from the vibration of the deflector will be heard inside the car, especially if sound insulation is not installed.
Why is this necessary?
The idea of creating the first deflectors was due to the fact that new cars became noticeably faster. The speed of movement has increased, so we had to think about the use of aerodynamics in civilian and sports cars.
In the same way, an air intake appeared at one time, and now we can buy magnificent bumper covers from Maxton Design.
The first car body models were angular and clumsy. The car had difficulty resisting the flow of oncoming air. Gradually the speed increased. Engineers realized that the cars needed to be made more streamlined and aerodynamic.
For example, do you know that even the current paintwork on cars plays not only a decorative role, but also helps reduce air friction? The car literally cuts air flow, which has a positive effect on speed, controllability and maneuverability. But due to the improvement in streamlining, oncoming debris, insects, pebbles and other nonsense began to actively fly into the car. Some bugs at least leave unpleasant blots, and pebbles can damage the windshield. And the hood itself also suffers from debris and insects. Scratches form and stains are difficult to wash off.
It is precisely to protect against such consequences that improvements in aerodynamics have proposed the use of deflectors. Their shape has an upward tilt at the back. This allows you to redirect the air flow slightly higher than the car. Thus, all debris and insects fly over the car and do not crash into the windshield and other body elements.
Advantages and disadvantages
The installation of the deflector, as well as the fastening of the lock and hinge for the hood, aerodynamic body kits or other tuning elements, has two sides.
Today we are talking about deflectors, so we will consider its strengths and weaknesses. You already understand why such an element is needed. Now it is time to know the pros and cons you get while installing a fly swatter.
Let's start with the advantages. I would include among them:
- attractive appearance;
- affordable price with good visual effect;
- protection from small debris, pebbles and insects;
- a wide range of;
- an easy way to improve the appearance of your car.
Yes, if a large stone or other similar object flies into you, you will need to have your windshield repaired or completely replaced.
By placing a white deflector on a black car, or choosing a dark fly swatter for a light car, playing with contrast pays off. Chrome also looks very advantageous. You can look at different photos and roughly imagine what a Chevrolet Cruze, Renault Duster, Hyundai Solaris or Honda CR-V, for example, will look like.
But let's not forget about the shortcomings. They are also present here. The following disadvantages are highlighted:
- at a speed of less than 90-100 km/h, the deflector acts only as a decorative element due to the oncoming wind flow being too weak;
- in case of incorrect installation or use of a low-quality part, there is a possibility of damaging the paint layer and causing corrosion;
- danger of vibration and noise when the deflector meets air flows at high speed.
The first drawback is controversial. But other disadvantages appear only if you choose or install the element incorrectly. Therefore, be careful, as in the case of installing thresholds on a Niva or when tightening the steering wheel yourself. You should be extremely careful everywhere, take your time and follow the instructions.
How to install a deflector on the hood
The difficulty of installing a fly swatter on the hood depends on the car model and the mounting method. So, it’s not difficult to install it yourself.
Classification of fly swatters according to the method of attachment:
- installation on adhesive tape that is already applied to this plastic product;
- mounting on brackets;
- installation with self-tapping screws.
The first method, that is, using double-sided tape, is the easiest and fastest way to install a fly swatter on the hood.
Before installation, you need to wash the place where the hood is attached, degrease it, attach it correctly and glue it. The disadvantage of this installation method is that it is not reliable, that is, at high speeds the deflector can come off. There will be glue left at the installation site that is difficult to wash off and will attract debris.
Video
This video shows how to install an acrylic hood deflector on a Nissan.
Installation on Chevrolet Aveo (Chevrolet Aveo).
The benefits of a deflector. How does a fly swatter work on a car?
Every car owner tries to make his faithful steed look beautiful and be protected from the negative effects of external factors. There are many ways to do this, and one of them is a deflector or fly swatter that is installed on the hood of the car. To install such an accessory, it is not necessary to go to a car service; you can do the job yourself.
Fly swatter installation procedure
Installing a fly swatter on the hood requires some knowledge. Violation of the installation technique leads to damage to the paintwork. The result is accelerated corrosion of the metal under the deflector.
Things to consider before installation
Before gluing the deflectors to the car, you should evaluate the condition of the hood edge.
Corroded areas should be cleaned, treated with a rust converter, puttied, primed and painted. The device should not be placed on rusty surfaces, as moisture almost always accumulates under the device. This will lead to the final destruction of the metal within several months.
The second factor to consider is the speed at which you plan to travel. On relatively low-speed vehicles, installation of deflectors can be carried out using adhesive tape or standard fasteners. For high-speed vehicles, additional fastenings should be made.
What is a hood deflector (fly swatter)
The hood deflector, also called a fly swatter, is a plastic plate that matches the shape of the hood at the front. While the car is moving, this accessory:
- protects the hood from chips caused by stones or other hard objects;
- changes the direction of air flow, so flying debris is removed from the windshield;
Thanks to its shape, the deflector directs the air flow upward, whereas previously it flowed around the hood and windshield.
The fly swatter will be most effective at speeds exceeding 70 km/h.
To avoid the accumulation of dust, sand and other debris under the deflector, it is mounted at a distance of 10 mm from the hood and during washing with a stream of water, all debris is easily removed. Some drivers are afraid to use such an accessory because they believe that the paintwork will be damaged at the mounting points and the beauty of the car will deteriorate. It's in vain:
- For a high-quality deflector, the fastening does not lead to damage to the car’s coating;
- The shape of the accessory is developed for each car brand separately. Not only aerodynamic indicators are taken into account, but also the appearance, which should be in harmony with the car;
- deflectors are made of durable material that can be transparent, black or match the color of the car.
- when driving on uneven roads, it may rattle a little, but it all depends on the quality of installation;
- The aerodynamic properties of the car deteriorate slightly, but this is only relevant when participating in racing;
- Fuel consumption increases slightly.
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- Option one. Using adhesive tape. It is already applied to the part by the manufacturer, so you only need to remove the protective film. The method is simple, since you need to degrease the surface and attach the part to the car. But such fastening is not highly reliable and durable. And after dismantling you will have to try to remove the remaining glue;
- Option two. Brackets. Simple and safe for the car. The brackets are already included. Installation is carried out without damage to the hood. No need to use additional glue. Plus the brackets allow you to change the gap as needed. Attach the fly swatter to the car, make marks for fastening. At these points, glue the protective film (this will protect the paint), and then install the fasteners. It is advisable to additionally use silicone dampers under the deflector, which will dampen vibrations and protect against noise;
- Option three. Only for barbarians. This method involves drilling the hood for self-tapping screws. I immediately recommend abandoning this method, since it will not give anything good.
I recommend applying an anti-gravel coating as an additional measure to protect the bottom of the machine. In combination with a properly selected deflector, the result will be beyond your expectations. It is still unpleasant when the paint layer is damaged due to debris on the road. These measures will minimize damage.
That's all for me. Thank you all for your attention!
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What types of hood deflectors are there?
In our market, you most often find Australian deflectors from EGR and Russian ones from SIM.
In both cases, high-strength acrylic glass is used to make such an accessory. During installation, there is no need to make holes in the hood. During installation, the paintwork is not damaged.
EGR is one of the first manufacturers to produce deflectors for different car brands. And now the company continues to remain among the leaders, therefore it supplies its products to all well-known American, European and Asian car factories.
The Russian brand SIM also feels confident in this direction. Production is located in Barnaul. A full production cycle has been created here, from development to manufacturing of deflectors. Models are produced for all domestic car models, as well as for most foreign cars.
This accessory can have different widths:
- standard - 7–8 cm;
- wide - more than 10 cm;
- narrow - 3–4 cm.
They also differ in the type of fastening:
- under the seal;
- on adhesive tape;
- on special metal or plastic clips.
Deflector installation procedure
Depending on the make of the car and the model of the deflector, its mounting will differ. Before starting work, the place where the double-sided tape will be glued is degreased. To ensure the safety of the paintwork, you can additionally treat this area with car wax.
To work you will need:
- deflector with a set of fasteners;
- Screwdriver Set;
- soft sponge;
- degreasing agent and car wax;
- construction hairdryer With its help, double-sided tape is heated so that it sticks better;
- regular tape. It is glued in places where the clips are installed for additional protection of the paintwork.
Installation on the inside of the hood
Installation is carried out by placing the deflector on the lower edge of the hood, and then it is fixed on the reverse side using clips and screws.
- Open the hood and apply a fly swatter to it. On the inside, the factory holes are determined where the deflector will be fixed.
- Using a screwdriver in certain places where the fly swatter is attached, remove the seal from the hood.
- Mount the clips. This is done through the holes that are located under the seal on the inside of the hood.
Fixation on the outside of the hood
In this case, installation is carried out using clips installed on top of the hood. Here, too, there is no need to make additional holes in the hood.
- Place the deflector on the hood and determine the mounting locations of the clips.
- Degrease the attachment points.
- Cover the places where the clip is attached. This is done with adhesive tape on both sides of the hood.
- Mount the clips.
- Fix the deflector. It is applied to the clips; if everything is done correctly, the holes will match. After this, it is fixed with screws.
Some versions of deflectors can have top and bottom mounts at the same time. This ensures a more reliable fixation, but installation becomes a little more complicated.
Video: installing a deflector on the hood
Any owner can independently install a deflector on the hood of his car. There is nothing complicated here - just follow the developed instructions and do the work carefully. There is no alternative to a fly swatter yet. It helps you save on the purchase of car cosmetics used to repair damaged paintwork and extends the life of your windshield.
Options for installing a spoiler on the front of the body
For the deflector to truly perform its function, it must be installed correctly. There should be a distance of about 1 cm between the spoiler and the hood. The installation method depends on the nature of the ride. If most of your car travel is in the city, you can secure the spoiler using double-sided tape. For fans of high-speed driving, it is better to install such an element using self-tapping screws or bolts, having previously performed anti-corrosion treatment at the drilling sites.
Installing the spoiler using double-sided tape
You should start work by degreasing the surface of the hood and deflector. This must be done efficiently, using a solvent such as white spirit. It is advisable to remove damage (chips, cracks, scratches) from the front surface of the body.
Then you can start marking the points where the spoiler will be attached to the surface of the car. We place high-quality double-sided tape, which is intended specifically for fly swatters, on the purchased device and the mounting feet. After this, you can place the deflector on the car.
This method is not reliable, so it is only suitable for drivers who prefer a quiet ride. Fastening must be carried out at several points at once, of which there must be at least five.
Installing a fly swatter using fasteners
We apply the spoiler to the surface of the car and make markings according to which the holes for fastening will be drilled. We check the markings made and carefully make holes in the marked places. We treat the holes made with an anti-corrosion agent or primer. We install the purchased tuning element with screws or self-tapping screws.
The fastening can and even should be additionally treated with black paint or primer to prevent the formation of rust. And the appearance of the car will be completely different if the structure looks solid, without visible fasteners.
Now each of you knows how to install a fly swatter on the hood without outside help. There is nothing difficult about this, and even an absolute beginner can cope with such a task. The main thing is to do everything correctly and leave a distance between the car and the fly swatter. Only in this case can you avoid the accumulation of dirt and moisture, which contribute to the rapid formation of corrosion. Go for it, and you will definitely succeed.
