Magnetic Front License Plate Install
02-06-2005, 08:45 PM
#1
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Magnetic Front License Plate Install
I tried the front plate mod and, while it wasn't easy, it went fairly fast. I was skeptical that the plate would fly off, but after getting the magnets my fears vanished - these ain't refrigerator magnets! I also attached a safety line just in case. We'll see how it goes ...
Here's what you need if you're interested:
* 9-12 NbFeD Grade 40 disc magnets
* 4 #8, 3/4" self tapping metal bolts (To mount the front plate to the OEM bracket)
* 2 stage plastic epoxy
* OEM Front license plate holder (usually shipped in your trunk)
* A zip tie
* various tools to do the job
1.) Use a very wide flat blade screw driver to pry off the OEM blank plate on the front of the car. I put a cotton rag over mine to avoid scratches. Along the bottom you'll see the slots - carefully push up firmly and try to edge out each tab. I worked the corners first. Go slow!
2.) Determine where you want to put the magnets on the OEM front plate holder. I epoxyed 3 to the back of the plate holder and then just dropped 3 onto the front without epoxy (they're not going anywhere!)
3.) Pair the magnets off to determine polarization. Be careful! They'll take a finger off. I folder rectangles of cardboard, held one magnet on the top of cardboard and then slowly lowered the cardboard to a magnet laying on the table. SNAP! Now you can mark the polarity on them and the folded cardboard will help you pry the apart.
4.) Paying attention to polarity, epoxy the magnets to the OEM plate holder.
5.) Measure their placement on the plate holder and then mark the matching spots on the back of the OEM blank plate.
6.) Epoxy another set of magnets, paying attention to polarity, to the back of the blank plate.
7.) Let the epoxy dry at least 8 hours (80% strength)
8.) Replace the OEM blank plate.
9.) Drill a small hole through the grill bracket on the OEM front plate holder. This will be used to thread a zip tie through as a safety line.
10.) Attach the plate to the car by aligning the grill bracket first and then slowly tilting the plate bracket into place. Zip the tie after threading it around the center grill post.
Here's one of the Magnets:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/18.jpg">
Here are the magnets epoxyed to the back of the OEM front plate bracket
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/21.jpg">
I just put some more on the front. They will be behind the plate.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/22.jpg">
Both OEM pieces set up, showing the back of the plate bracket:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/23.jpg">
Both OEM pieces set up, showing the front of the plate bracket and plate:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/24.jpg">
The front of the car without the plate:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/26.jpg">
Viola - plate on:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/28.jpg">
Here's what you need if you're interested:
* 9-12 NbFeD Grade 40 disc magnets
* 4 #8, 3/4" self tapping metal bolts (To mount the front plate to the OEM bracket)
* 2 stage plastic epoxy
* OEM Front license plate holder (usually shipped in your trunk)
* A zip tie
* various tools to do the job
1.) Use a very wide flat blade screw driver to pry off the OEM blank plate on the front of the car. I put a cotton rag over mine to avoid scratches. Along the bottom you'll see the slots - carefully push up firmly and try to edge out each tab. I worked the corners first. Go slow!
2.) Determine where you want to put the magnets on the OEM front plate holder. I epoxyed 3 to the back of the plate holder and then just dropped 3 onto the front without epoxy (they're not going anywhere!)
3.) Pair the magnets off to determine polarization. Be careful! They'll take a finger off. I folder rectangles of cardboard, held one magnet on the top of cardboard and then slowly lowered the cardboard to a magnet laying on the table. SNAP! Now you can mark the polarity on them and the folded cardboard will help you pry the apart.
4.) Paying attention to polarity, epoxy the magnets to the OEM plate holder.
5.) Measure their placement on the plate holder and then mark the matching spots on the back of the OEM blank plate.
6.) Epoxy another set of magnets, paying attention to polarity, to the back of the blank plate.
7.) Let the epoxy dry at least 8 hours (80% strength)
8.) Replace the OEM blank plate.
9.) Drill a small hole through the grill bracket on the OEM front plate holder. This will be used to thread a zip tie through as a safety line.
10.) Attach the plate to the car by aligning the grill bracket first and then slowly tilting the plate bracket into place. Zip the tie after threading it around the center grill post.
Here's one of the Magnets:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/18.jpg">
Here are the magnets epoxyed to the back of the OEM front plate bracket
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/21.jpg">
I just put some more on the front. They will be behind the plate.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/22.jpg">
Both OEM pieces set up, showing the back of the plate bracket:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/23.jpg">
Both OEM pieces set up, showing the front of the plate bracket and plate:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/24.jpg">
The front of the car without the plate:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/26.jpg">
Viola - plate on:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/71240/28.jpg">
02-06-2005, 11:43 PM
#5
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to make it look more realistic, cut the heads off some screws and glue it to your license plate...
a while back i tried to velcro my front plate. CHP asked how it was secured since he didn't see any screws and ripped my plate off. i felt like a 'tard. after that, i cut some old screws with a dremel and glued it to the license plate for the real effect... then i was finally able to get my fix-it ticket signed off with just the velcro behind it.
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02-07-2005, 05:25 AM
#9
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There's 2 sets of bolts: 1 to hold the plate to the bracket which ...
... are on if you look in one of the pictures, and one to hold the bracket to the bumper. The bolt heads are visible that hold the plate to the bracket, but to see the bolts that hold the bracket to the bumper you'd have to remove the plate.
In short, you can see as many bolts as you would if the bumper was drilled.
And don't worry! If Johnny tries to remove your mag-mount plate he'll need A LOT of effort and will probably get a nasty blood blister from the snap back.
This thing is on good. If you tilt it just right it comes off with a good amount of force, but nobody will be just ripping it off.
In short, you can see as many bolts as you would if the bumper was drilled.
And don't worry! If Johnny tries to remove your mag-mount plate he'll need A LOT of effort and will probably get a nasty blood blister from the snap back.
This thing is on good. If you tilt it just right it comes off with a good amount of force, but nobody will be just ripping it off.
02-08-2005, 01:29 AM
#10
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Unless (as more Police do these days) they tug on the plate...
Most states require the license be "securely affixed" to the front bumper; anything that pulls off reasonably easily isn't "secure."
