Radiator Bug protection
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
Radiator Bug protection
Hi all. I'm new on this forum as I just traded my 07 Z06 for a 2013 VY GS.
We are planning to attend the 2014 Caravan. I have a very good bra I bought for the Z06 which will fit my Grand Sport. The problem is if we hit rain, I should remove it. Don't want to bother with that.
I was thinking getting a Race Mesh grill which would keep out the big ones.
I would value your input on this and/or your suggestions.
Thanks, 2k
We are planning to attend the 2014 Caravan. I have a very good bra I bought for the Z06 which will fit my Grand Sport. The problem is if we hit rain, I should remove it. Don't want to bother with that.
I was thinking getting a Race Mesh grill which would keep out the big ones.
I would value your input on this and/or your suggestions.
Thanks, 2k
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Don't put it on to begin with. The car will look MUCH better and no danger of damage. And you can also forget the grill. So what if a few bugs get into the radiator? It's not easy to see in there and they will disintegrate over time.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,543
From: Rochester, NY
Just use the bra, if you run into rain no big deal just remove it when you get to your destination. Clean the front end of your Vette with some detail spray, let the bra dry out and all is well.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
I used 1/4" count 304 cres wire mesh on both front and bottom. Set back, using custom brackets and behind oem egg crate. Unless you look, they are close to invisible, just quietly doing their job of keeping not only bugs but anything bigger than 1/4" from damaging the expensive condenser/radiator. Also help keep my Callaway CAI from ingesting rubbish.
Front view:
Bottom view:
Some CF member used low grade cheap plastic screen or galvanized wire mesh but I prefer the near indestructible heavy gauge 304 cres, cost less than $75 from local metal supplier.
IMO, something there is better than nothing!
Front view:
Bottom view:
Some CF member used low grade cheap plastic screen or galvanized wire mesh but I prefer the near indestructible heavy gauge 304 cres, cost less than $75 from local metal supplier.
IMO, something there is better than nothing!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
From: Baxter MN
I learned a trick years ago that "VictorF" is referring to. Go to your favorite hardware store and buy a roll of plastic rain gutter mesh. It is designed to keep debris out of rain gutters on a house. Costs about $4.00 for a 25' roll. Cut it and trim it with a pair of scissors. It's black so it is all but invisible when you put it on. Use inexpensive black nylon "zip strips" to hold it in place by wrapping these around the stock plactic grill and through the mesh. It's very light weight. Never rusts. Can't hurt your paint. If it should fall off (not sure how that would ever happen, but...) your car will drive over it harmlessly. And if you get tired of protecting your AC condenser and radiator, you can remove it by cutting the zip strips.
Incidentally, I am far more concerned about a small stone hitting my condenser or radiator at 70mph+ than about some small insect. The plastic mesh has never once let me down.
Best wishes.
Glen
Incidentally, I am far more concerned about a small stone hitting my condenser or radiator at 70mph+ than about some small insect. The plastic mesh has never once let me down.
Best wishes.
Glen
