Is it smart or stupid to put a mesh screen in between your grill and radiator to stop bugs from clogging the fins.
Nothing wrong with doing it as long as it is securely held in place. On the other hand, it is unnecessary unless you are driving through a swarm of locusts.
I wouldn't do it. If the mesh is course (large holes), it won't stop bugs. If the mesh is small enough to stop bugs, it will clog up and reduce airflow to your radiator and then you'll have to clean it off. I think the better solution is to just inspect your radiator and clean it off as needed. If your car worked better with a screen between the grille and the radiator, the engineers who designed the vehicle would put a screen there.
that was my concern, not enough air flow
Smart if you clean it when it gets clogged (which it will if you live in say, Florida) stupid if you don't clean it. I've seen folks in Florida with mesh "bras" that go over the front of the vehicle, including air intake and headlights. Those would be easy to track/clean.
Where I live, that's not such a problem, so I take my pressure washer to my radiator (bet if you can spray out from the back side) every now and then.
