Community Forums

Dusty Dude · 06-08-2023, 02:37 PM

I just got back from the Great Smokey Mountains and my neighbor at the park had a beautiful DP that had a very substantial bug shield made out of thick plexiglass. I would love to have one, but it really isn't an option for my little gasser. It has several attachment points, but I think I would like it better than a standard bra type. Sorry if the picture comes out sideways, but can get the idea...

PNWGirl · 06-08-2023, 03:29 PM

It is very nice. It does sit away from the coach for a few inches. Would the engine get enough air while traveling, especially if it is very hot? Or would your standard fans be enough to keep it cool?

Don't know, just asking.

Domo · 06-08-2023, 05:07 PM

So they clean the plexiglas instead?

We would wet sheets and soak them with dawn and put them on the front. We would remove the sheets and use a blue scrubbie to simply wipes off the residual bodies.

Dutch Star Don · 06-08-2023, 06:15 PM

I don't recall what brand used them, but it may have been Country Coach. They were the hot setup and looked pretty cool back then (around the 80's), but eventually were phased out and replaced with the clear bras.

When you saw one, you knew it was a high-end coach.

Name: Bug Guard.jpg
Views: 27
Size: 43.7 KB

Name: Bug Guard.jpg
Views: 27
Size: 43.7 KB

bentjm · 06-09-2023, 06:22 AM

As you said, it won't work on a front engine coach.

I have seen them on older coaches. Seems like a solution looking for a problem to me.

thebings · 06-09-2023, 06:41 AM

I have one on my Allegro Bus and although I like the looks, it is a PITA. When you clean the windshield, the dirty water and gunk runs down behind the shield and it is very hard to clean the front of the coach and the back side of the shield, just not enough room for you hand and arm to reach. And cleaning the bugs off it is just as hard as cleaning the bugs off of paint. Keep thinking to take it off but I do like the looks.

Domo · 06-09-2023, 07:34 AM

You're correct. This basically adds 64 square feet to clean (front and back) and two surfaces that are really tough to get to (the sandwiched innards).

Dusty Dude · 06-09-2023, 08:41 AM

Yes, I agree that it would probably would be a pain to wash, but I had never seen one before and thought it looked very impressive. One of you mentioned a clear bra which I don't think I have seen either, can you provide a picture or link?

PNWGirl · 06-09-2023, 08:57 AM

Here is just one place but there are others if you Google "Motorhome Paint Protection".

https://www.diamond-shield.com/

Bruce Anthon · 06-09-2023, 10:24 AM

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_0646.JPG
Views: 12
Size: 742.6 KB
ID: 394883

The front shields were made by Summit Products in DesMoines IA area. They produce other customer fitted s/steel products to dress up your coach. Take a minute to look at their website. However with the advent of clear wrap technology they no longer produce the front shields.

The plexiglass can be polished with Futz or similar products. About once a year, I loosen the bottom front bolts and swing the shield up to clean the back side and front of the coach. With a coat of ceramic sealer it rinses between washes fairly well.
As stated earlier there is no room for hand washing between the surfaces.

The original owner of my coach said it was a $3,100 option back in 2003.

Dutch Star Don · 06-09-2023, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Dude

Yes, I agree that it would probably would be a pain to wash, but I had never seen one before and thought it looked very impressive. One of you mentioned a clear bra which I don't think I have seen either, can you provide a picture or link?

I think your use of the word Impressive is a good choice in describing how they looked. Back then, it was really the only thing out there that protected the nose of the coach. It had a LOT of SS mounting brackets and was probably a nightmare to clean.

Iceclimber · 06-09-2023, 06:42 PM

Prefer my vinyl bra. Seems to shed bugs if not easy to wash with a soft brush in minutes. Looks...well in my opinion better that those. Reminds me of sports face guard.

groveln · 06-09-2023, 07:59 PM

That is an American coach & by the paint scheme it looks like an Eagle. This was a $1400.00 option on my '04 American Eagle that the previous owner ordered. Summit no longer offers it as I needed some hardware parts & they had some left over. I really didn't like it when I bought the coach but it came in handy when a 55 gal. construction barrel blew into my lane in a strong wind & I hit it at about 35 mph & once I pulled over to inspect it took the hit in the right corner area but left a 12 in. long crack but wasn't in pieces to fall off. I repaired it & it's held well & that was about 8 years ago. If that screen wasn't there it would've taken out my complete right front corner with including all the headlights/turn signal/fog light.