I have had mine for over a year. I leave my hood shut in car washes.
No seriously, I don't use automatic car washes but my hose spray doesn't effect it. The only issue I have with mine is on the drivers side there is a 4" piece of metal bracket (vertically mounted) and the screen contacts it. After a year it has cut through the screen in that location. But it's not a show stopper and it works great to keep bugs off the radiator.

 

What is the difference between this screen and going to a hardware store and buying screen there?

 

Cost... and a little time.

I 'built' my own version for about $5 +/-.
Bought: Screen, grommets, small bungie cords.
Had some tape...

measured the amount of screen i wanted. Added an extra inch to the ends. Folded that extra bit over and intalled grommets at the corners. Used small bungies to hold them in place at various mounting locations.

Have had the same one for a little over 3 years with only repais having to replace one of the bungies that stretched out and lost its elasticity.

 

Thats what I am leaning towards. Making my own.

 

Personally, my time is worth WAY!! more than the cost of buying that. So I'm sure I made the right choice.

 

I got a bug screen at Walmart for $4 and made my own. I even had enough left over to make a screen for my intercooler.

 

Last one I made took 30 mins. Cut the material, hang and done. For as cheap as screen is I'll do it and save a few bucks.

 

Here's a pic of my $4 Walmart A/C condenser, tranny cooler and intercooler bug screens.

 

Looks good. Especially for 4$

 

I did this mod to my 06, 11 and 14 when they were brand new. I would have done it to my 97 but I never thought of it back then.