It is cheap insurance. All it has to do is slow it down enough to prevent catastrophe. To each his own...

 

well the key in physics is to have some give to it.

There's the classic physics class experiment on acceleration to try to break an egg throwing it at a sheet held by 2 people, it can't be done.

So although the plastic isn't that tough, since it has quite a bit of give, it can actually work as effectively than a rigid grill made of stronger material.

 

It's not a black/white decision. There are loads of grey. If you decrease rock impacts that's still a positive thing even if you can't stop every one.

The teslas that caught on fire had a quarter inch plate of protection and still were punctured. That doesn't mean that because they couldn't protect that catastrophic failure, they should just give up completely and put no protection.
(This logical fallacy is popular in political rhetoric)

 

So true-- the difference is that you put your opinion out there as fact, whereas I noted that my opinion was worthless from the onset. lolol You still seem to be determined to be credible.

But you know what? I went to Lowes and found the plastic gutter guard. HOWEVER, I also found a 6"x48" black metal gutter mesh for only $2.48. Then I got some 8" black plastic ties (the tie width JUST small enough to pass through the small grill openings).



After removing the plastic top cover under the hood as described in earlier posts on this thread, I took my time cutting and fitting the mesh (final length: 38 1/4"), then carefully curving it until it fit just right, then used the black plastic ties to securely attach it.



I knew you'd be so proud, Clifton!!! Of course, now I have to worry about a 2" rock hurled at the grill at 200mph. Do you think it would stop it???

 

I just used a piece of expanded metal from HD. $11, tin snips, and zip ties.

 

Bucky, I'm happy to congratulate you on your good work.

I wasn't trying to offend anyone, I should have stayed out of this thread. I'm an 84 year old guy and should know better than to get myself in a box like this. Thanks for your patience.

Clifton

 

Clifton, I promise you didn't offend me at all. I'm just having some fun with you. But I thought that you'd be happy to see that, given a choice, I went with the stronger metal mesh than the plastic mesh. And by the way, any 84 year old guy who is young enough at heart to browse the internet, forums, etc. has my admiration! At a very young 62, I look upon such 84 year-olds as role models that I'm planning to imitate in a couple of decades!

 

Bucky, thanks for responding and I really appreciate your comments. Hang in there 20 more years.

Clifton

 

Hehehe. 2009 Fit Sport that turned over 90K this morning. A/C would not work yesterday! Guess how I found this old thread?! Getting A/C Condenser repaired on Monday; looking for some kind of 'gutter guard' today!

John

 

I found a three piece Billet Grill insert on Ebay for around $50.00 and ordered it. Received it and it is good quality and looks really nice. I installed it in about 10 minutes (all three pieces) and looks great and protects condenser and radiator from damage.
When I add to my 2007 FIT I like to purchase items which will enhance the looks of it.

 

Bucky: I used the same metal black gutter guard that you did, but I simply snipped mine where needed and zip tied it from the outside of my GD. The height of the guard perfectly wedged in (with some minor scratches). I only had to do some snipping around the sides. My car is full of dings, scratches and paint chips, so I do not care about the additional scratches from wedging in the gutter guard. I recently ordered two cans of touch up spray which I will apply where needed. I feel a lot better about our pending cross country move now that the metal guard is in place. Thanks for the photo.

 

I used cheap steel mesh from Home Depot, and stainless steel zip ties, also from Home Depot. Should last, and last, and last. Had trouble fitting it up against the grill because of the plastic tabs that extend backwards from, and are part of the lower grill. Instead, I zip-tied it immediately in front of the radiator, using four corner holes present there. IF it doesn't rattle, I'm golden. I popped off the small plastic cowl/surround covering the top of the grill access (six pop fasteners IIRC) as suggested in this thread, and by working one hand down from the top, and one hand through the lower grill, it wasn't too difficult at all, except for getting some scratches on my wrists and arms.

This is a worthy modification. Thanks to everyone who shared their ideas here.