Front license plate removal/cleanup help

Exitious · 05-23-2022, 02:10 PM

Hi guys,

I wanted to take the license plate bracket off my car because I live in a state that does not require us to have front license plates. Plus, I think the front end looks so much cleaner without it. So, I took it off and now I'm left with two (actually three) holes and some residual marks.

From the images, you can see that underneath the left hole there is some significant wear to the paint. Does anyone know a good way to cover up/repair this? Also, you can also see that the right hole has a smaller hole right on top of it.

Initially, I thought I would be able to just take the bracket off and put some bumper plugs in from BumperPlugs.com. If I did this, do you think I'd have to drill out a larger hole since there is that smaller hole above the right hole? Drilling even larger holes seems very inconvenient and might lead to more damage if not done properly. Kinda worried about that.

I may just end up leaving the bracket on to cover all this up to avoid spending a lot of money taking it somewhere to get fixed or putting on an entirely new bumper. Does anyone have any advice on how I can clean this up and get it looking nice again? Thoughts?

StuKatz · 05-23-2022, 09:17 PM

I had same issue, plus many rock chips and clearcoat peeling, so I removed the bumper cover and took it into a shop to get repainted. About $200

Serf27 · 05-24-2022, 12:38 AM

The bumper plugs will cover the holes.
Nothing to do on the peeled clear coat with out repainting the bumper, but at the point the holes could be completely eliminated.
Haven’t ran a front plate in 10+ years. It looks a lot cleaner.

05-23-2022, 02:10 PM	#1
Exitious New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Front license plate removal/cleanup help Hi guys, I wanted to take the license plate bracket off my car because I live in a state that does not require us to have front license plates. Plus, I think the front end looks so much cleaner without it. So, I took it off and now I'm left with two (actually three) holes and some residual marks. From the images, you can see that underneath the left hole there is some significant wear to the paint. Does anyone know a good way to cover up/repair this? Also, you can also see that the right hole has a smaller hole right on top of it. Initially, I thought I would be able to just take the bracket off and put some bumper plugs in from BumperPlugs.com. If I did this, do you think I'd have to drill out a larger hole since there is that smaller hole above the right hole? Drilling even larger holes seems very inconvenient and might lead to more damage if not done properly. Kinda worried about that. I may just end up leaving the bracket on to cover all this up to avoid spending a lot of money taking it somewhere to get fixed or putting on an entirely new bumper. Does anyone have any advice on how I can clean this up and get it looking nice again? Thoughts? Attached Images Last edited by Exitious; 05-23-2022 at 02:40 PM..
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05-23-2022, 09:17 PM	#2
StuKatz Private First Class 245 Rep 172 Posts Drives: M Roadster, E46, E91, F30 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Balzac iTrader: (0)	I had same issue, plus many rock chips and clearcoat peeling, so I removed the bumper cover and took it into a shop to get repainted. About $200 __________________ 2001 M Roadster Imola Red 2002 E46 Sedan Sapphire Black Metallic 2012 E91 xDrive Sapphire Black Metallic
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05-24-2022, 12:38 AM	#3
Serf27 Brigadier General 2851 Rep 4,322 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	The bumper plugs will cover the holes. Nothing to do on the peeled clear coat with out repainting the bumper, but at the point the holes could be completely eliminated. Haven’t ran a front plate in 10+ years. It looks a lot cleaner.
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