Is plastic mesh strong enough to use as a DIY a/c condenser grill?

 

that's too general. do you have reference pictures and what is the material (other then just "plastic")

 

It would be something like this:
McMaster-Carr

 

hummm... that might work..would that impede the radiator not getting enough air at speed?

i thought you were looking at a much bigger hole size... and thicker material so it doenst flap around...

 

People have used plastic mesh with small enough holes to keep out rocks; they've also used gutter guard and wire mesh. I'm just wondering if something like plastic mesh or plastic gutter guard is strong enough to stop a rock. Plastic would be a lot easier to work with than metal! I bought some aluminum gutter guard, but I'd actually rather find something more pliable.

 

You can try some mesh from chicken wire... very thin, 22 gauge (I think) wires, with 1/4 inch sized holes.

I bought a fairly long roll, cut a strip about almost two inches wider than the opening, then tied it to the lower grille. Because the roll was pretty tightly wound, it had a pretty good curvature that I mostly kept when tying it down.

I didn't flatten it, because I'm thinking/hoping that the curved nature would allow it to flex a little when hit by a larger fast moving rock, absorbing most of the impact, instead of pulling on the tied down spots (which were the clips for the grill, pretty weak)

 

My fix for that issue was this...

https://picasaweb.google.com/pvenne/...67897803997298

 

Or something more sturdy that protects and has a good air flow.
Like this and just cut custom fab it to fit your grill space.

 

That looks good---what did you use?

 

Bought this...

SES Trims® - Chrome Billet Grille - 2011 Honda Fit Grille - SES Trims SES-CG210

...and bolted it on.

I'm sure it mildly impedes airflow but I've had no overheating issues
with many 100+ degree days here in Texas this summer.

 

Was drilling involved? :-)

 

No drilling.

The unit comes with 4 bolt studs... a pair on either
end of the unit.

Those bolt studs slide through the plastic slats in the
lower grill with a plate fitting over from the inside and
bolts to hold it on

You need to remove the rad shroud to provide access
to complete the install.

 

That sounds perfect! I'd have to paint it black, though....

 

...either that or get it powder coated black.

I installed mine early in the spring... still happy with it.

 

I finally rigged up a grill! I used metal gutter guard, spray-painted it black, and zip-tied it in. All I took off was the upper grill cover (not the grill), and did it all by reaching down to the front of the lower bumper. Puncture wounds galore, but I got it done!