Front License Plate Question

[Zack]

I removed the fromt license plate bracket as soon as I drove it home from the dealer. I now have 4 holes exposed which is fine, but I'm sure someone here has an idea to remedy this unsightly situation. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Dont tell me I should have left it on.

[Bigdogjim]

Find a good body shop they can fill in, and paint over the holes. IL. does not require a front plate?

[Zack]

Illinois requires one, but I have never been a fan of them. Ive owned four 80's Trans Ams over the years and like the Marauder, the license plate bracket was the first thing to come off the car. I have a bad habit of removing them it seems.

What everyone should know is this. The factory rivets that hold on the plate frame cause the paint around the holes to 'spider-web' if you know what I mean. Yes, filling in the holes will look ok, But a complete bumper repaint will be the correct way of doing things...which is out of the question.

[Constable]

I specifically demanded a MM without a front plate bracket installed. When mine arrived at the dealership, my salesman ran out to it and taped a piece of cardboard to the bumper saying "do not install bracket or customer will hurt you". I thought that was pretty amusing.

Anyways, i think the body shop is the best idea. If you want to wait on that and find a quick fix, put four small bolts through the holes and get black nut covers from an auto parts shop. Cover the heads of the bolts with the smooth black covers. Problem temporarily solved.

[Slowpoke]

i am in need of the front bracket!

some jerk backed into me and it cracked.

[Zack]

I'd give it to you, but it stays in the trunk most of the time in case I get any 'Heat' Sorry I couldnt be of help.

[Constable]

While we're on the License Plate subject, where can I find a really nice plate cover for the rear end?? I like the WeatherTech cover... but I really want a tinted one. They only offer clear. I dont like the generic smoke colored "bubble" covers. They look cheap. Worse comes to worse, I may end up buying the nice cover and spraying it with NiteShades when I do the taillights.

[MI2QWK4U]

Slowpoke, I will look in my garage tomorrow and see if I kept my front bracket. It came in the trunk since I requested it not to be installed on the car. I just cant remember if I saved it or pitched it. If I have it I will mail it to you.

[RCSignals]

If you don't want to fill the holes and have it painted, i don't know what else you can do.

The Marauder sure looks best without the front plate and bracket. I wish Oregon did not require a front plate.
there are a lot of cars these days whose front ends were not designed with a license plate in mind

[CRC]

Go to your local auto parts store and buy black plastic interior push pins. They come in all sizes with all size heads. The push type pins are used on jap crap (rice rides) to hold the interior panels together.(kinda like a Snap-Tite model) I Had to trim to length the ones I bought, but they still look better than the holes in the bumper...much cheaper alternative to painting the bumper. I might have $5.00 in them. No front tags in Oklahoma!!!

[martyo]

Originally posted by CRC
. The push type pins are used on jap crap (rice rides) to hold the interior panels together.


No flames here (I just don't want you embarrassing yourself in front of a ricer when you talk about build techniques), just remember, short of our motors, our cars are held together with these push pins too!

[CRC]

True! but most of those clips in the auto parts stores are for Nissan, Toyota Or Honda,

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Zack
What everyone should know is this. The factory rivets that hold on the plate frame cause the paint around the holes to 'spider-web' if you know what I mean. Yes, filling in the holes will look ok, But a complete bumper repaint will be the correct way of doing things...which is out of the question.

Ummm...I'm wondering...The front bumper is flexible, right? So what do you use for fill that won't pop out from changing temps or a slight parking lot bump?

[Zack]

You might not believe me, but it has worked for me in the past. In a situation like this with a bumper that flexes, I would fill the hole with great stuff expanding foam sealant. When it dries, i trim the dried product so its a little less than flush with the hole. I finish it off with fiberglass resin, not bondo, then sand smooth and flush with the surface. Ive done a repair similar to a bumper in the past with this method with success.
Sounds stupid but it works.

[Constable]

Sounds like MacGyver is what it sounds like. Good job.

Cruz - Thanks very much for the offer, I really appreciate it. I'm going to take some time and look around my local parts stores first to see if I ovelooked a product. I'll get in touch if I need anything. Thanks.

[MI2QWK4U]

Slowpoke, I found it, and cant think of any reason to hang on to it. PM me and its yours if you like.
Dave

[sprtyworty]

A couple of rubber grommets(plugs)would easily work and would not pop out. However I think the plastic caps would look best. Put a little vinyl cleaner on them and they might blend in o.k. Just a thought.

[RCSignals]

There is actually a special flexible bonding material used to repair bumper covers.

[SouLRioT]

If you use the plastic plugs, you might want to use the touch up paint to match the color. Thats what i did. http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/watermark.php?file=500/903DSC00446-med.JPG

[jgc61sr2002]

Zack - I wouldn't recommend repainting the front bumper if you don't have to. Even when the surface is prepared properly you greatly enhance the chance of peeling or spyder cracks in the paint. I would use one of the alternative measures listed above. IMHO.

[robotek911]

My Marauder did not come with a front plate bracket so I just keep the extra plate in the trunk. Even when I was pulled over (the cop wanted to look at the car :-) he did not say anything about no front plate.....

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by robotek911
My Marauder did not come with a front plate bracket so I just keep the extra plate in the trunk. Even when I was pulled over (the cop wanted to look at the car :-) he did not say anything about no front plate..... The front plate bracket was originally in the trunk of your MM. It was to be installed by the dealer if your state required two plates.

[looking97233]

Zack, ask a body shop or body supply store. Somebody makes a repair kit for the plastic facaia. I know. Mine got hit already. Body shop told me about it when I asked how they fixed it, being flexiable and all.

[rct]

Mine delivered sans front bracket. It's in the trunk. I asked New Jersey MV people. Possible $120 dollar fine, won't pass inspection, which I'm not worried about for another...5 years I think? 4 maybe. Anyway, I don't give a crap, and it'll stay in the trunk until The Man tells me otherwise.

[MMManic]

Zack- I removed my bracket like you. Fortunately the dealer only installed two rivets so I only had two holes to cover. If you were careful in drilling out the rivets, you should be left with 1/4" holes. I used two black plastic hole plugs which I bought from an electronics distributor. They are very low profile with a very narrow head and look great even against the blue. I bought ten so I have eight left. If interested I'll mail four to you- free.

[Hemlock]

USED A BLACK PERM. INK PEN TO KNOCK DOWN THE RAW HOLES .

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by MMManic
Zack- I removed my bracket like you. Fortunately the dealer only installed two rivets so I only had two holes to cover. If you were careful in drilling out the rivets, you should be left with 1/4" holes. I used two black plastic hole plugs which I bought from an electronics distributor. They are very low profile with a very narrow head and look great even against the blue. I bought ten so I have eight left. If interested I'll mail four to you- free. I would agree that the above is the best method of covering the license plate holes. Don't paint unless absolutely necessary.

[martyo]

What about these?

http://www.geocities.com/esklut/BumperPlugPics.html

I would imagine the finish on a black Porsche would be almost as nice as the black on our cars.

I may just have to remove that front plate after all........

[Clarkitus]

Got my plugs from Pep Boys - they look great! Thanks for the tip! I don't think that I would have come up with this on my own.

[martyo]

Clark: Please post the part number for what you used. Thanks from all of us!

[Clarkitus]

The part that I used was a Dorman Body-Tite 45470 from Pep Boys - it's for Nissan & Toyotas. (I can't believe what I just wrote!) There were several other fasteners there, but these were the smallest.

Here's a picture of the finished product - please for give the dirty bumper!

[BlackVelvet]

Greetings,
My first post, and first question (of many?) What is the best way to remove the rivets holding the plate holder? No front tags in my state, but the dealer obviously thought his advertising looked good on the front. Thanks for your suggestions (And thanks to my neighbor Bob Mathis for clueing me to this site!)

[SergntMac]

Leave it on, BV, and come to Ennis TX for the Sept. Marauder Round Up. You'll get something for your nose that will make you want to keep your bracket.

BTW, glad to have you on board. (can't say welcome, that's ------John's job).

[jgc61sr2002]

BlackVelvet - Welcome to the site. You will probably have to drill them out. The holes in the front bumper will be difficult to cover. IMHO I would leave it alone. Definately remove the dealer logo if you haven't done so already. Enjoy your new ride.:D

[jgc61sr2002]

Thanks Sarge - Took care of it.:D