My front license plate bracket is scratching up my bumper.
I am thinking about getting both bumpers repainted, but its like $375 each!

Any ideas on how to mount the front license plate so that this doesnt happen? Post pics if you got any interesting ideas!

Here is what mine looks like...

 

Pick up some angle iron and fab up a mount. You can mount it lower on the bumper, so it isn't pressing on any painted surface. You may be able to use the stock bolt holes or you can run the plate offset, you just need to drill holes. I dont run a front plate on my car anymore, but the scratches are still there.

 

dont you have to drill 2 holes in the bumper.....?

 

If you get the right hardware you should be able to use the two holes currently used by the stock bracket (they are underneath, not in the facing of the bumper).

If you went for the offset look then yes, you do need to drill.

 

hmm.. ok. sounds interesting, do you have any pics so I can get a better idea of what you are talking about?
Will it fit in the space without hanging over the bottom of the bumper?
I'd like to see how it looks.

 

somebody at a meet once told me that you can use the stock bracket upside-down if you get longer screws. i think i'm going to try that this summer; i'm tired of getting pulled over for not having a front plate

 

If you are gonna repaint it, just seal the holes and leave the bracket off. Ur supposed to have front plates here in IL but the dealer never put the mount on and i'm not about to mess up the look of my shit with that ugly thing. Just go no plates!

 

Here in CA, you need a front plate. The bracket is held on underneath the bumper so there shouldn't be any holes through the bumper cover. I got two L brackets, drilled some holes and mounted it from the bottom using the existing holes from the original bracket. The plate and frame hung down too low so I cut about an inch from the top so it's even with the front lip. The plate is bent to the same angle as the bumper and I sanded the white paint from the letters on the frame.

The only problem is doesn't hide the scratches that were already there.

I really need to clean my car.

 

Have fun with the ticket you'll get for not having it. I went a year before getting one but the $135 ticket made me put a front plate on after that.

 

you could always put some padded tape on the edges of the inside of the plate holder so it no longer scratches the paint.

 

There is one that slides from underneath and flips up.

That's what I plan on getting.

When you don't require a front plate, then it fips down and then can be slid back into the bumper.

Didn't have time to look up the model...but that's what I am going to get.

 

good idea.. i heard somewhere that you could flip the bracket that I have upside down and create something similiar to what you've made.
You had to cut the actual license plate to get it to fit correctly?

nf3d0149ab
If you find a link to that bracket please post. I am interested in seeing it.

 

I'll try to find it...and they even have a motorized version for like $200.

Wired to a switch...and from inside the car you can operate the front license plate.

 

im geting painted the both bumpers the hood roof and the trunk lid for 700$

 

I did that with my Prelude. It worked well. However the CL bracket is angled, so it may not work without cutting some of it.

 

Back in the old days someone put the stuff that people use on the edge of car doors around the backside of the license plate frame so it didnt' scratch the paint...

 

StreetKA
Where you getting it painted. I'd like to get my bumpers done, but i think its alot to spend $700 on bumpers alone. I am in NJ too.

GreenMonster
I was thinking about getting some silicone used for cooking sheets and cut strips to line the back of the bracket. I think it would work if I can get the silicone strips to stay on to the bracket with some strong glue.

 

Putting something on the back of the bracket isn't going to help. It's the sand and small rocks that get caught between the bracket and bumper cover that scratches the paint. The bracket and bumper cover is flimsy plastic and is constantly moving and flexing. Whatever gets caught between the bracket and bumper is going to scratch the paint.

You need to either protect the paint by putting tape or something on it or move the bracket away from the bumper so it doesn't touch the paint.

 

On the wall of my garage.

 

^ Haha...I wish I could do that.

 

can you take some pictures from a distance so i can see how it looks? thanks

 

Damn! It would be just a $75 ticket here but i'm not worried. My windows are what they really like to pick on me about. If they notice the plate they just give me a verbal...

 

its a fix it ticket in cali, got it once $10 after i put it back on, drove home took it off...

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...g/P1000773.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...g/P1000774.jpg

I put it on because I just don't want to hassled. I've gotten fixit tickets before and it only gives chicken shit cops an excuse to pull you over and run your record, check your registration, insurance and inspect your car. I've even got a ticket for no front plate while my car was parked.

 

I'm not gonna lie that doesn't look to bad. The first pics def didn't do it justice in that spot. Nice alternative to the plate bracket that sticks so far off the bumper...

 

yup and now its 25

OP: Like Noah was saying they have the ones that are motorized the company is called swift motorsports. The mototrized one is 2 wires and you use a remote to use it 160 bucks and then they have the other ones that you get out and slide it thats 60 bucks.

A guy from the Bay area has the motorized one and he likes it worth the 160. I was trying to something with mine but it got messed up and if i take it off i will have two holes under my drivers light so when i repaint my bumper next month ill get the swift one

 

Damn thats cool! Motorized! Looks like it would fit great on our bumper. The things you learn on here...

 

heres the link

http://www.swiftmotorsports.com/prod...a378625621fbae

 

^ Thanks Kevin.

That was the one I was trying to remember.

 

That motorized plate bracket looks really cool. Company is in CT too which is good for me. Might have to check it out. Nice find guys.

 

That is freakin crazy!

 

BAM! "what are you talking about officer? my front plate is right there"

 

^^^Exactly!

 

i'm sure he'll be like, u think i'm stupid?

still and always, no plate ftw. if anything buy the non-automated one and flip it up everytime u drive...

 

That's why I wanted it.

Oh sorry I was at a car meet.

Had no idea...

None motorized version is still ok though.

Economical.

 

ill get the non motorized kuz as soon as the motor goes out gotta get a new one.

But it would be funny u get pulled over for no front plate and then u hit the button and be like whaaaat i have a front plate but then he will give u a ticket for something else

 

^ Probably right.

Here's a ticket for driving a CL.

 

 

"i have no plate cuz i just picked up my car from bodyshop... ima put it back today:P" thats real :P

 

I tried the my bracket broke he said drill it in the bumper i was like uhhh no.That was in my other car though.