Hey All,

I moved to a state that doesn't require front plates. So I took the front bracket off and now have to drill holes to deal with. Any inexpensive ideas to patch these up other than leaving the bracket on lol.


TIA!

 

bumperplugs.com

 

I'm about to move from Ohio (front plates required) to Arizona my solution is slightly different :P personalized plates front and rear

 

How about a couple of black button head allen bolts?
Just a thought.

 

How big are the holes? I asked my dealer not to put on be front plate and I have two pin holes which I assumed were factory drilled. Don't bother me in the least

 

Those are 'dimples' molded into the bumper when it is produced and used by the dealership to drill the mounting holes without having the drill bit wander all over the bumper. Since the bumper is painted after molding, the 'dimples' are painted as well and are pretty unobtrusive.



I told my dealership not to mount that ugly thing and not to drill holes and they followed my instructions. I then mounted my front plate my way (Washington requires a front plate and they WILL ticket you if you don't have one).

 

Bumperplugs.com is the best option if they have your color. For some reason they don't make Grabber Orange and they wanted to charge me over $100 for a "custom set." Total ripoff so I just went to Ace Hardware and bought 2 black license plate screws for under a dollar. Looks fine to me.

 

A simple nylon retainer works as well. Don't forget a bottle of touch up paint to paint them.

 

How about a little JB weld and some touch up paint.

 

I live in Nj where front license plates are "required" I didn't want the two big holes drilled in my bumper so the dealer didn't drill them. I got a license plate bracket that doesn't require mounting holes but have yet to mount it. I have passed plenty of cops and they didn't say anything. Some look down and shrug their shoulders but have yet to be pulled over. The license plate and bracket is on the floor in the back incase anything happens.

 

Missouri is the same and I requested the bracket not be installed on my new steed. I chose a STO N SHO bracket from Big Mike's Performance instead. But, it's been in the trunk since I've had the car. I use the "I removed it to wash the car and forgot to put it back on" excuse. I've skated so far. Guess it's because the plate is mounted to the bracket and is "lock-on ready" that gets me a pass. Hopefully, my state will take up the "two plate" issue soon and get rid of the front one. Passenger cars and trucks with 12,000 lb registration and below are the only vehicles with 2 plates. All others are required to have one plate only.

 

One reason why I love Indiana. No front tags and no window stickers!!

I've had too many tickets for no front plates in Texas and Alaska. I paid my dues.

 

Amen to that!! I live in Indiana, but unfortunately bought my car in Illinois (couldn't pass up on the deal) and the holes had already been drilled. I need to get some of those plastic push in fasteners and some Race Red touch up paint. I think its a bit absurd to pay $25 or whatever they charge at bumperplugs.com. That's pretty much what they are selling.

 

Yes! It's the same thing. It's a gimmick. Those retainers can be bought at NAPA for couple of bucks. You get a bag of them too.

P.s. my wife's new Fusion came from Chicago with the bracket drilled on front. She made the replace the entire bumper! Lol

 

My state requires front plates, so I bought one of Craig's Custom Brackets. Well worth the $ not to have extra holes. When I picked up the car, I wouldn't let them touch it. I drilled the rear plate holes myself!

 

Bumper plugs are huge and ugly holy crap.

Ohio is planning on doing away with front plates so I'm going to have to plug the holes. I was thinking about a small piece of rubber and putting touch up paint on it but that was just brainstorming

 

if u ever plan to do stripes just leave them alone... vinyl stripes will go over the top n cover it... looks fine on my car.

 

I think I might have to go the bumper plug route for my deep impact blue...

 

Its too bad the dealership I got mine from drilled them before they even put it on the lot for sale. Could've avoided that by ordering a 2014 from the factory...but I probably would've paid $5k more than I got my '13 for...I have yet to make my own plugs because the local dealership had to order the touch up paint and I passed on that, thinking I would get it at another dealer. Still haven't done that yet.
annnd then I found five dollars....

 

that moment when your realize you spent 10 minutes using your phone writing a pointless message on a forum...