[Joe_E]

Hey guys, I really want to take my front license plate off, but don't want the hole to be there. Anyway to cover them up and not make it look bad?

[iconoclast]

take it to a body shop and have them patch and spray it. to have it done properly the bumper has to come off and the entire thing should be painted.

[ahero4eternity]

http://www.bumperplugs.com/

Or DIY - pick up some plugs from Home Depot and paint them with some touch up paint.

[Joe_E]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

take it to a body shop and have them patch and spray it. to have it done properly the bumper has to come off and the entire thing should be painted.

How much would that cost?

[WHL102]

I used little plastic plugs with a very thin head that was tapered to be almost even with the bumper at the edges. Got them from a body shop that uses them to plug lp holes.

Find out what body shop your nearest BMW dealer takes it's cars to. Bring them the plugs and ask them if they will spray them the next time they spray a car the same color as yours. Touch up paint works too, but I'm not very good at applying it and it never looks the same...

Patch and spray is probably the best option and I wanted to do it when I resprayed my front bumper. The body shop forgot to do it.... I've heard it becomes noticeable after some time though.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Joe_E

How much would that cost?

varies regionally and by quality... $350-550.

Originally Posted by WHL102

I've heard it becomes noticeable after some time though.

when the project is done properly with the correct prepartion you'll never know. i know people who filled entire euro tubs to delete the front plate and never had issues and that's a hell of a lot more filler than a screw hole.

[Joe_E]

Originally Posted by ahero4eternity

http://www.bumperplugs.com/

Or DIY - pick up some plugs from Home Depot and paint them with some touch up paint.

Thinking of getting them from a local shop "Mod Bargains", think they'd be any good? Would be easier for me to go pick them up and not have to wait for shipping or pay it

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

when the project is done properly with the correct prepartion you'll never know. i know people who filled entire euro tubs to delete the front plate and never had issues and that's a hell of a lot more filler than a screw hole.

I work in a shop, it's an easy fix but needs to be done right. For instance, using a fiberglass patch and body filler (bondo) is NOT the right way LOL

There are products that are specifically made to repair plastic bumper covers. Fusor was one of the early developers, and I think 3M got in on it. It's a 2 part epoxy-like material that chemically bonds to the plastic of the bumper. Ask the shop how they do the repair, if they don't explain a process similar to what I have posted, do not let them do it.

And yes, depending on labor and materials costs in your area, it should cost around $400ish. We charge $54/hour body, $36/hour for paint materials and $5/hour for the body repair supplies, so I would charge right around $450-475 to do it. It will take 2-3 days for the shop to complete.

[Joe_E]

Anyone have a pic of their car with the bumper plugs?

[CalCarNut]

Check local laws on front plate requirements if you haven't already. It'd be a chunk of change to go through all of this only to be pulled over and told you HAVE to have them on......

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Check local laws on front plate requirements if you haven't already. It'd be a chunk of change to go through all of this only to be pulled over and told you HAVE to have them on......

No problem.


http://usmillworks.com/

[CalCarNut]

Plates crooked on the Porsche on the final 'tightening'. Not a fan of the off-center look. If you're going to HAVE to have a plate on, just drill the damn holes in the center and mount it. The only use I see for this is if you don't run a plate and you get nailed..and you do this to get it signed off on..drive out of the patrol office and park..and then go back to plate-less..that works for me ...but for day to day use..just drill it.

[kent11202]

I'd just use the plugs myself - they aren't THAT intrusive but, I know, I know

My dealer didn't drill holes so I'm OK and I have NO intention of mounting a plate. I haven't had one in <<clears throat>> over 50 years.

Now, a friend of mine went through this issue after getting a ticket. He got some Velcro, attached his plate with that, got the ticket signed off and then removed the plate. This was many years ago and he's never had to deal with it since then. Oh, and his ride is a black on black BMW.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

There are products that are specifically made to repair plastic bumper covers. Fusor was one of the early developers, and I think 3M got in on it. It's a 2 part epoxy-like material that chemically bonds to the plastic of the bumper.

yep, it is similar to the resin used to repair surfboards. messy to work with but gets the job done the right way the first time. also for anyone interested in spraying the bumper make sure there is flex additive in the paint. any quality shop will automatically do this and quote it as part of the job but for anyone bargain hunting don't skimp because it will look worse weeks later.