those of you that have the window deflectors.... do you have the ones that go in the windo channel? or the ones that go on the outside and stick on with 3M tape? if you have the in channel ones.... how do they work with tint..... i mean... does it make a tighter fit and possible cause the tinting to come off (or am i worrying about nothing?) as for the tape.... i've had several cars that we've used the tape ones... and all worked well.... however on our MDX the tape didn't stick.... the edges were coming up.... one finally blew off on the highway.... anyways.... what do you priuschat-ters use/like?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(desertbriez @ May 28 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]451033[/snapback]</div> Mine were installed with the 3M tape and have been through car washes several times with no problems in 3 years+. They came with alcohol wipes to clean the mounting surface. The channel type only come in contact with the outside of the glass, the tint is on the inside.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(desertbriez @ May 28 2007, 01:40 PM) [snapback]451033[/snapback]</div> I use the channel type. I chose them because I don't like sticking tape or stickers of any kind to my car. They fit in the outside channel and do not touch the tint...I love them.
On our Acura MDX (which we traded-in towards the new Prius) I used the CHANNEL TYPE that actually had "adhesive tape" internally (hidden inside channel track) that really locked them in place. I believe these were made by WeatherTech, the floor mat people ?? They looked sooooooo much more "professional" than the "external-double-stick-tape" ones, sooooooo much better !!!!!!!!! It was "strange" installing them was you have to make sure no silicone or any "lube" on the rubber weatherstripping in the window (wipe thoroughly with alcohol-base Brake Cleaner) and then you "bent" (actually bowed) the rain-deflector and slid it in place, then rolled up the window to get the adhesive to "lock" it in.............. Like I described, they actually are attached by the adhesaive to the rubber (or felt) inside the upper window channel as well as being held in by slight "pressure" too. When the window goes "up" against it, it is really, really "tight" but the window closes correctly. Being the "tint" in on the INSIDE of the window, this tightness should have no effect on the tint, unless the tint might have been put on sloppily around the top edges ??
I used the tape mounted deflectors on my 04 and bought the channel deflectors for the 06. I like the way the channel deflectors look but they rattle a bit. I'd probably go for the tape ones in the future.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David @ May 28 2007, 06:50 PM) [snapback]451160[/snapback]</div> On the Acura not a single rattle....... remember, top quality, made-exactly-for that vehicle, Weather-Tech, NOT Wal-Mart, stuff. The deflectors slid into the "inside top window track" as well as being held there by a very strong "adhesive strip" that ran the length of the deflector. I can't see this brand NOT giving a repeat, stellar, performance when installed on a Prius........... IF INSTALLED CORRECTLY !! http://www.weathertech.com/store/mvproduct...CustomerVehId=0 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(desertbriez @ May 28 2007, 01:40 PM) [snapback]451033[/snapback]</div> Chances are either you DIDN'T thoroughly clean the wax and/or road grime off the surface........ alcohol-based Brake Cleaner (By WURTH), spray on a rag and wipe, repeat a few times - or the adhesive strip THEY put on was NOT applied correctly. Remember, wind "cups" under these at 75 MPH........so all-in-all the "external" mounted WD's are JUNK ...... all of them !! Read my post (above) about the Weathertech made "internal" ones............ THEY WORK and WORK WELL !!
I have the Weathertech ones on order through the dealer. They are the stick-on type for the Prius. At least that's what they told me. I'll see in a few days. They are on "backorder".
I don't have any for the Prius... but can comment on past cars. Every "in channel" type I bought never worked right. The fit for the glass became so tight that several bad things would happen - like the window auto-reversing instead of auto closing. I've never had trouble with the stick-on ones, and I've taken them off after five years with NO issue (the buyer didn't want them on). They may not look as good, but I've had no problems with the stick-on ones, and nothing but problems with the in-channel units.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 29 2007, 01:36 AM) [snapback]451337[/snapback]</div> I guess we were very "lucky"..... very "fortunate" with the installation of the "internal-in-the channel" WeatherTech's we put on our '03 Acura MDX. They fit excellently, installed easily and worked great.... sure when the front windows (only the front) were "rolled-up" there was a slight feeling of "tightness" as the window wedged itself in that upper track ALONG with that thin piece of plastic from the window deflector, but never an "auto-reversing" window motor or "jam-up" of ANY sort !! Perhaps the Acura was the exception because of a much wider window channel or much more powerful window motor ???? Like I wrote, I have NOT installed these "internal" type on a Prius, just the vehicle I mentioned........ which certainly must be a different situation, then !! If you do install the "external" type, just be patient enough to thoroughly CLEAN off ALL wax, dirt, etc. from the area the external channel is to "stick-on" !! I like Wurth (alchohol-based, NOT Tri-Chlor 1,1,1) Brake Cleaner....... won't hurt the paint but will strip wax, grease, etc. right down to the "squeaky-clean" paint and make for the best adhesion you can get !!
Go with the WeatherTech internal channel mount..looks nice and you don't have to worry about the yahoos ripping them off. I have used the internals for the last four vehicles...I swear by them.
Don't forget that you can get them through the PriusChat Shop (channel mount version): http://priuschat.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/38
