Plastic Shield

Ok, so about a month ago I removed the nose condom as Loc called it because I didn't like the look on the front of the bus. Very very pleased with how much better the front of the bus looks without the smoked shield on it.

Here is the interesting part. We have now put about 1500 miles on the bus shieldless on a couple of weekend trips. I am happy to report, no irrepairable damage yet to the front of the bus. But, we have more wind noise around the windows. Something I hadn't even thought of was the change in aero affecting the wind noise. It is not bad, or annoying, but just more noticeable and in certain types of cross winds has a different pitch to it.

Don't think I will go back to the shield (except maybe on our Alaska trip) because I like the look so much better. Anyway, just curious if anyone else had a similar experience after removal.

Gordon,

You will get an occasional ding and paint chip. It's what happens. If it will freak you out put the condom back on and the next bus owner will thank you.

Or leave it off and accept dings and chips as part of the process of using the bus.

My parents used to put the plastic covers on the furniture and the new car seats. The only person that enjoyed the furniture and the cars was the second owner who probably pulled that stuff off the seats.

I definitely like the looks sans condom enough to tolerate the dings and chips. The prior owner was kind enough however to keep all the carpet covered in plastic so it was just like new for us. Next guy won't be so lucky.

Oh Yes. Just one more advantage of the " Plastic Shield. " Less wind noise. Better aerodynamics, Less dents. Fewer dings. Rock protection. Easy to clean off the bugs etc, etc. O.K. I guess there is more than one advantage !

Mr. Keller, it is time for your meds. They help with these fantasies you have been having.

I've watched you plastic shield guys. First, none of them are clear. They all have the clarity of weak milk. But first you wash them and clean the bugs off. The front side. Then you hinge them down after fighting to get the bugs from the front, and begin washing the rear which has dust and dirt on it. Then you wash the front of the bus normally covered by the shield.

Then you dry them in the reverse order.

When I went to school we learned to cipher, and by my calculations you have just increased the area of the front of the bus that needs to be washed by three times. All this so the next owner of your bus won't have any dings.

Wouldn't you rather spend the time trying to figure out why you need to replace bushings so often?????

Put this topic on the agenda for Lobstah fest. We need a good discussion.

Jon as the world turns ........having sold one coach with a very nice shield and beginning my bus search low and behold seeing a very nice shield on front of a XLII . I believed the stars had aligned pointing me to look further at this beautiful bus. Now as this story gets better I now have a hinged shield. must be an up-grade to the super deluxe model. Now with all the mess that happens on the front of your bus after a summer night cruise, this part makes that plastic the best. Three words..High pressure washer.
AL
05 Marathon XL II w/ shield

BoaterAl, yep, they can be washed with Hi Pressure and kept Clear by polishing, no reason to have a milky shield.

Where you at Marthon in Coburg recently, I noticed an XL II with a shield in the camp ground there 4-6 weeks ago.

Yep, that be me. I remember seeing a absolutely stunning CC XL there, I had to put my sun glasses on to look at it. Was parked in front of me and to my left. Dusted off the shield on the way back to KC. Went through rain, snow, hail. and 26 deg. one night. Didn't have many bugs on that trip. No pressure wash needed.
AL
05 Marathon XL II w/shield
10 GMC acadia AWD

AL, I walked around your bus as much as I felt comfortable with----Really nice looking bus, thought it was a new one. Sure wish we would have had our 'new' POG plates, would have stopped you for a chat, however it appeared you were rather busy with Dave at the time.
We were parked as you discribe, however I doubt you needed sun glasses---rather dirty at the time from all the rain.

If the shield is so important, why is it that nobody has one for the windshield or the top cap. Where I live we get bugs that adhere to the top cap better than the best epoxy adhesives.

I won't even use a pressure washer on my dump truck. It just ain't right.