Can You Go Thru The Car Wash With A Weather Tech Bug Shield On The Hood

Updated 10/30/2024 | Published 08/04/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Weather Tech Easy-On Stone and Bug Shield Deflector

(378)

$103.33

Question:

Then why does your installation guide specifically say not to go thru a car wash?

asked by: Richard G

Expert Reply:

We have found in our own tests that the Weather Tech bug deflectors like the # WT50150 will hold up just fine in a carwash. For example, I just spoke with a coworker of mine who has a Weather Tech bug shield on his 2019 Toyota Highlander. It has been on there for about a year and has been thru the carwash many times. The shield will move slightly when the scrubbers go over the hood, but it is sturdy enough to make it thru with no issues.

There are small rubber bumpers that go on each end of the deflector, to protect the paint on the hood. The rubber also helps with stability and keeps the deflector from moving. if these were to fall off it would be an issue in general, but especially in a car wash. If you plan to install one and go thru the wash, I would check periodically to make sure the rubber bumpers are still in place.

expert reply by: Jesse M

John S.

10/29/2024

When you say if these were to fall off. Are you talking about the small bumpers or the plastic seals? I'm also concerned on putting the weather tech stone guard on and it damaging the paint through a car wash that has brushes go up the middle of the truck.

Jesse M.

10/30/2024

@JohnS I am talking about the small rubber bumpers not the seal. The bumpers help the bug deflector or stone guard stay in place when you are on the highway or going thru a carwash for example. The bumpers have a tendency to go missing so if you were to go thru the carwash with the bumpers missing it opens up the potential for some scratching or scuffing of the paint. As long as the bumpers are in place you will not need to worry. The same coworker I mentioned above still has the rock guard on his Highlander and he said it has never come into contact with or damaged the paint in any way. And he keeps his car very clean and goes thru the carwash A LOT. He did say the bumpers have gone missing more than once and had to be replaced. Usually if you contact weathertech they can send some, or you can find something suitable locally.