Gang,

I do not want a front license plate but now I have ugly screw holes. What suggestion do you have for filling these in so that it looks better then this?

Thank you,
James

 

James, will the center rectangle rub out or is it into the paint? If it won't rub out, you will have to have your bumper repaired and painted.

If the center will rub clean, you can find flush plastic plugs to fit into the holes. Paint them in your color before installing. I have seen this done on yellow and are nearly invisible.

James

 

thats your best bet, if it wont rub out your screwed tho

 

only two options I know of....I had my body shop fix a ding in mine for $200...painted the whole bumper cover...so, the plugs is a great way to go if you can buff her out...

 

James,

Yes the "rectangle" rubs off and can be buffed away. I'll have to look for these clear plugs you mentioned. I believe the color code is in the VIN code, correct?

Thanks,
James

 

Thanks oledoc2u. I think I'll try the plugs first.

 

those plugs (fasteners) are an excellent idea. We use them at work, if you have a hard time finding clear and want to try black just PM me and I'll send you out a pair. Ace hardware sells them too.

Pooly

 

Good post! I was a bit angry when Carmax stuck that plate on the front after I had purchased the car.

You mentioned that Ace Hardware sells them. Is there a name for the fasteners? Or an isle I should look on? thanks.

 

Well, I cant seem to find any in the garage right now to post a pic. They are plastic, with a round head and have "threads" so to speak, that grip as you push them in the hole. They come in various sizes and head size. At ace, they are in the back section that has the little drawers of springs, clips etc. If you cant locate them PM me. Im here to help

Pooly

 

The yellow car I am speaking of belongs to the Rapps. You may want to PM Ann and ask her what she used. Hers are nearly invisible.

James

 

Lowes also has them, Thats what I did. Painted them with touch up paint and pressed in the holes.
It looks fine. North Carolina is talking about requiring front tags so I'll be ready if they do.

 

The color is not in the VIN per-say, but it can tell you, if they have the info. Watch ebay for touch up paint in your color.

 

Wife's '05 had a the front plate holes when we got her, did the paint the plugs and installed them. Hers is an Alabaster, so I just used white Krylon for plastic chairs. They've been on there a year, and you still have to get within a few feet to tell the diff in color.

 

I had the same issue, however, the car which came from Ohio, had front license and I’ll assume the license hanger was installed at the dealer. However the holes got there, they were drilled about 3/16 inch off center and noticeable.

So, after giving some thought my solution was those plastic push rivets that you can get from the auto parts stores. I bought then with a large rim diameter, because I was going to drill new holes to be closer to the centerline of the bumper and needed some extra diameter to hide the offset holes. I purchased some matching spray-can paint and primed, painted and clear-coated them.

They actually don’t look too bad for the small amount of money spent on this project, and I had enough paint to paint the grill to match.

 

The following link is where I bought my color matched paint, this outfit is just south of me and I was very pleased with the product, but Krylon is cheaper.


Automotive Touch Up Paint

 

smfrycruzr - you did a nice job. thank you. i love the photo.

 

Thank you vpats. i will look into this.

 

Here is another link for paint identification and part numbers:

http://www.mopar.ca/en/accessories/p...nt%20Guide.pdf

 

I'll chime in with another internet touch-up paint source:

Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories

I have paint pens for all my cars. Easy to use whenever a small chip occurs. These guys do a very good job of matching OEM colors.

 

Like oledoc2u said above, having the front bumper cover repaired professionally & repainted will run you $200 to $300. Most body shops, worth their salt, will remove the bumper cover, repair it & then spray it in the paint booth. Then re-install it. Best way to get a more uniform covering that matches.

My rear bumper cover was repaired this way after it was damaged by some jerk who couldn't drive around in a parking lot at a nearby resort we stayed at one weekend. Scaped my left rear and broke the taillight. Cost me $350 for bumper repairs & re-paint (not including taillight, which I found on eBay).

Actually using the plastic push-in retainers or finishing plugs is a really great idea. These will mount nearly flush with the bumper and be hardly noticeable when painted the body color. They have tremendous grip and have to be practically destroyed to get them out. So make sure when you decide to install that you don't plan on taking them out again.

I bought a kit some years back that has all different types & sizes in it. They come in handy from time to time during various auto projects. You'll also find these in the HELP section of your local self-serve auto parts store.