I wish to install rain guards on my Hatch. My wife says they are the ugliest things and make the car look "stupid". I want them so I stay dry in rain and snow. What do you think? If you have them I would love some pics to show her.
Rain Guards Opinions Please?
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You/your wife sound very much like me.
I hate the look of "vent visors" but want my car to stay ventilated in the summer when I'm at work. I don't want to worry about leaving them open a crack and then a storm comes along.
My compromise was to get a set of WeatherTech vent visors for the rear windows only. They are "in channel" instead of those ugly stick on things and I got the "smoke" tint instead of the fully black tint. If you have fully black visors on a car with untinted windows, they stick out more in my opinion.
Having said all this, I am pretty disappointed in them now that I have them on my car. 1) I can open the rear windows maybe a quarter of an inch before there's a big enough gap between the glass and the frame along the rear edge to make me worry about rain getting in.
2) There is one clip that holds each visor on and the rest of it is supposed to be supported by tape along the outer edge. The tape was of extremely low quality and the visors kept falling off. It was so bad I had to leave my windows all the way up or else they could blow off the car. I requested replacement tape for both sides and they only sent me enough for 1 visor. I requested a second roll for the second visor, they said it would be sent out, but it's 2 months later and I still don't have it. Doesn't matter anyways because the replacement tape was just as crappy as the original tape. I went and got some quality 3M double sided tape and haven't had any issues since.
In closing, these stupid things don't even keep your car that noticeably cooler, so why bother?
I hate the look of "vent visors" but want my car to stay ventilated in the summer when I'm at work. I don't want to worry about leaving them open a crack and then a storm comes along.
My compromise was to get a set of WeatherTech vent visors for the rear windows only. They are "in channel" instead of those ugly stick on things and I got the "smoke" tint instead of the fully black tint. If you have fully black visors on a car with untinted windows, they stick out more in my opinion.
Having said all this, I am pretty disappointed in them now that I have them on my car. 1) I can open the rear windows maybe a quarter of an inch before there's a big enough gap between the glass and the frame along the rear edge to make me worry about rain getting in.
2) There is one clip that holds each visor on and the rest of it is supposed to be supported by tape along the outer edge. The tape was of extremely low quality and the visors kept falling off. It was so bad I had to leave my windows all the way up or else they could blow off the car. I requested replacement tape for both sides and they only sent me enough for 1 visor. I requested a second roll for the second visor, they said it would be sent out, but it's 2 months later and I still don't have it. Doesn't matter anyways because the replacement tape was just as crappy as the original tape. I went and got some quality 3M double sided tape and haven't had any issues since.
In closing, these stupid things don't even keep your car that noticeably cooler, so why bother?
With all respect sir, that is the worst bit of advice i have heard. It would come with it from the factory? Then why are we on here discussing mods and lowering our cars and changing rims and tires and exhaust and motor mounts and tint and everything else we do???
My weather techs are awesome. i can have my windows open a little when it rains and get fresh air inside without having any rain get in my vehicle.
no argument here... but [gunfire] what ford thinks a car should be from factory
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The rain guards are a personal choice item, and even considering them depends on your preference for open windows.
If you like to open the windows a crack normally, and rain tends to come in then (varies with different cars) they'll be an advantage.
Some cars deflect water nicely past a slightly open window, on others it can rush in at the slightest crack. How annoying this is determines your choice.
I use them on my P/U, and not on the Focus - shows that the decision isn't cut & dried.
If you like to open the windows a crack normally, and rain tends to come in then (varies with different cars) they'll be an advantage.
Some cars deflect water nicely past a slightly open window, on others it can rush in at the slightest crack. How annoying this is determines your choice.
I use them on my P/U, and not on the Focus - shows that the decision isn't cut & dried.
Looks like my wife is winning. I am having my windows tinted this Friday and she has graciously suggested that it may look less ugly with the new tint. I would appreciate more opinions pro or con and some more pics please. Thanks![slap]
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My focus is my first car so I don't have much previous experience. However I just installed the in-channel WeatherTech deflectors over the weekend. They were a pretty simple install...except the rear set. The front set fits in nicely, but the rear set doesn't seem to fit flush with the frame. As others have mentioned, the tape sucks and doesn't have a good bond between the fin and the car channel. It seems like the fin is a bit too "long" for the channel and so I even see a bit of the fin/ tape with my deflectors installed. (This is assuming I've installed them correctly...but I've shoved them up there as far as they go.) I've read some other posts saying the rear set almost fell off, maybe I'll try some 3M tape as well.
I used to hate the look of rain deflectors on cars, but now i don't think its too bad. I have noticed some additional wind sounds when driving on the highway, but it doesn't seem too bad. Haven't had the chance to test the rain blocking aspect because I'm trying to mold the deflectors into the channel. The window motors still have trouble closing with the deflectors, but hopefully that will go away in a few days.
I'll try and get some pictures of the deflectors and close ups of the rears, when I have time. p.s. My windows are not tinted and my deflectors are the darker tint, so you can compare that as well.
I used to hate the look of rain deflectors on cars, but now i don't think its too bad. I have noticed some additional wind sounds when driving on the highway, but it doesn't seem too bad. Haven't had the chance to test the rain blocking aspect because I'm trying to mold the deflectors into the channel. The window motors still have trouble closing with the deflectors, but hopefully that will go away in a few days.
I'll try and get some pictures of the deflectors and close ups of the rears, when I have time. p.s. My windows are not tinted and my deflectors are the darker tint, so you can compare that as well.
Thanks, I look forward to your pictures. Your post was very helpful...Thank You!
My rain guards look good, and the front ones work well.
The rear ones are garbage IMO. The rear window will get stuck on mine when rolling them back up. But they do stick on very well. I left my windows up for a full week after the install.
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EDIT: They're AVS ventshades, in-channel
The rear ones are garbage IMO. The rear window will get stuck on mine when rolling them back up. But they do stick on very well. I left my windows up for a full week after the install.
EDIT: They're AVS ventshades, in-channel
I don't notice any additional wind noise with mine, at any speed
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Got some photos.....but they're not the best.
I don't have aftermarket tint, normal factory windows. Its hard to see the deflectors since everything is so reflective.
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Close up on the rear deflectors:
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I can't push the deflector "in" more, but i can push it up against the channel / pull outwards but doesnt stay in that position. You can see the tape and fin sticking out. I still havn't tested the deflectors since i've kept my windows up. If anyone else has had better luck and doesn't see the fin/tape let me know if im doing something wrong. thanks!
I don't have aftermarket tint, normal factory windows. Its hard to see the deflectors since everything is so reflective.
Close up on the rear deflectors:
I can't push the deflector "in" more, but i can push it up against the channel / pull outwards but doesnt stay in that position. You can see the tape and fin sticking out. I still havn't tested the deflectors since i've kept my windows up. If anyone else has had better luck and doesn't see the fin/tape let me know if im doing something wrong. thanks!
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