Hood insulator was removed by me today bc a squirrel got in under there during the winter and shredded it. Does it really protect the paint on the hood all that much or is it necassary in your opinions???

 

My 02 went years without one and nothing ever happend..

My 05 has had it removed for over a year now and nothing still..

 

It does catch some of the debris that normally show up under the hood. If you have a salvage yard near by that is a good source for a replacement.
But I have seen folks not use them. Some folks paint them up or put a bowtie on the under side.

 

Aren't they usually used as a sound dampener? I would imagine you will be fine running without it.

 

I'm thinking it looks "cleaner" without it anyway...it was in decent condition before but it's gone now ..maybe ill centre a nice SS decal under there

 

Bad thing is that most cars dont have finished paint under there, so that certainly detracts from a really clean look.