Front Bumper is like swiss cheese

V8RM · 03-23-2015, 03:08 AM

Ok, my private number plate has 5 characters and I have legal shortened plates. Plan was to remove front plate holder and bung any holes with a fastener in the same colour as the bumper. I've done this on prior cars, looks fine.

However when I went to remove the front number plate holder I thought 2 holes each side at worse, nope I guess the guy fitting it the first time wasn't too hot with measurements, 4 holes each side! ... it's a mess.

Anybody got a rough idea how much it would cost for a bodyshop to fill and paint over?

Another thought was if I could get Alpine white vinyl and cover them after applying filler... they are very small holes. No idea where to get vinyl though?

Cheers

Beancounter_74 · 03-23-2015, 03:31 AM

I'd say that unless you get it filled/painted, it will always look rubbish. I'm not doubting your skills, but if it's as bad as you describe, vinyl won't mask it.

Z_Victor1 · 03-23-2015, 04:53 AM

How about a "mounting plate" on which you could mount the number plate. Of course it's not ideal, but a mount just big enough to conceal the holes would do it.
Your holes are not right at the edge of the old plate so you'll certainly be able to reduce the width, just not as much as you wished.

V8RM · 03-23-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z_Victor1

How about a "mounting plate" on which you could mount the number plate. Of course it's not ideal, but a mount just big enough to conceal the holes would do it.
Your holes are not right at the edge of the old plate so you'll certainly be able to reduce the width, just not as much as you wished.

Thought about reversing a standard number plate and painting it... may be an option. The holes are 1-2CM in from the sides of a standard numberplate width, so still pretty wide.

Pyrocam · 03-23-2015, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8RM

... it's a mess.

I was all set for doing mine last night. Took the front plate off, took the mount bracket off ......

was delighted to see a grand total of 9 holes !!!! FFS !!!

Only one of them would be covered by my 'shorter' plate...

V8RM · 03-23-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrocam

I was all set for doing mine last night. Took the front plate off, took the mount bracket off ......

was delighted to see a grand total of 9 holes !!!! FFS !!!

Only one of them would be covered by my 'shorter' plate...

I feel your pain, sounds the same as mine, 4 each side and one in the middle. Going to try painting the reverse of a std number plate as a mount. If it looks crap, I'll go down the body shop route.

Kal101 · 03-23-2015, 04:19 PM

Wtf. You'd think the dealers would have done it enough times to get it right first time!!!

03-23-2015, 03:08 AM	#1
V8RM Private 1 Rep 60 Posts Drives: F31 330D Alpine White Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Here, there & everywhere iTrader: (0)	Front Bumper is like swiss cheese Ok, my private number plate has 5 characters and I have legal shortened plates. Plan was to remove front plate holder and bung any holes with a fastener in the same colour as the bumper. I've done this on prior cars, looks fine. However when I went to remove the front number plate holder I thought 2 holes each side at worse, nope I guess the guy fitting it the first time wasn't too hot with measurements, 4 holes each side! ... it's a mess. Anybody got a rough idea how much it would cost for a bodyshop to fill and paint over? Another thought was if I could get Alpine white vinyl and cover them after applying filler... they are very small holes. No idea where to get vinyl though? Cheers __________________ Gone but not forgotten... E92 320i / Audi A3 Blk Ed / Vauxhall Monaro VXR / Nissan 350Z / Honda Civic Type-R / Fiat Punto Sporting / Ford Fiesta ... I loved them all
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-23-2015, 03:31 AM	#2
Beancounter_74 Colonel 602 Rep 2,246 Posts Drives: M140i F20, 449i F33 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	I'd say that unless you get it filled/painted, it will always look rubbish. I'm not doubting your skills, but if it's as bad as you describe, vinyl won't mask it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2015, 04:53 AM	#3
Z_Victor1 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 328 Posts Drives: 2022 G22 M440i 👍 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SouthEast UK iTrader: (0)	How about a "mounting plate" on which you could mount the number plate. Of course it's not ideal, but a mount just big enough to conceal the holes would do it. Your holes are not right at the edge of the old plate so you'll certainly be able to reduce the width, just not as much as you wished.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2015, 04:19 PM	#7
Kal101 Major General 3105 Rep 7,032 Posts Drives: 335xd Msport + Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West mids!!!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Bmw msport + 3 ... [0.00]	Wtf. You'd think the dealers would have done it enough times to get it right first time!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote