Dealer drilled for front plate holder. How do I fill them holes?

[Derek Bell]

I'm going to the 'no holes' front license plate bracket, but the dealer had drilled and installed the U.S. front plate holder. I would like to have the best solution to plugging and painting or whatnot to those two holes.

I don't want to buy a whole new red front panel.

I know someone's gonna say it so:

1. I was an 1173 and the 'no holes' bracket was virtually unknown when I got the car in January.

2. Front plates are mandatory in Kalifornia.

3. I won't blame the dealer.

Suggestions?

Am I in the right sub-forum?

...cricket sounds?

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by Derek Bell

I'm going to the 'no holes' front license plate bracket, but the dealer had drilled and installed the U.S. front plate holder. I would like to have the best solution to plugging and painting or whatnot to those two holes.

I don't want to buy a whole new red front panel.

I know someone's gonna say it so:

1. I was an 1173 and the 'no holes' bracket was virtually unknown when I got the car in January.

2. Front plates are mandatory in Kalifornia.

3. I won't blame the dealer.

Suggestions?

Am I in the right sub-forum?

...cricket sounds?

And leave the plate on there since it is illegal in CA to not have one. NY is the same. It looks fine with it on there. I was an 1174 and went thru the same rationalization at first but decided to keep myself off the police radar for some silly infraction like not having a front license plate.
I have enough other things to think about than to be stopped for something like that.
Just some words of wisdom.

[jwight]

I'm going to the 'no holes' front license plate bracket,

He's leaving the front plate on.

[Fredvon4]

I made my own no holes front plate holder.

But in the interim I cruised a couple of weeks with front plate inside with me... Eventually I gained the attention of a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer who, did not appreciate my scofflaw behavior.. He did give me a Warning Ticket with the expressed caution that if he, or any of his fellow DPS troopers, pulled me a second time it would be fairly expensive.

OK that does not answer Derek Bell's question... sorry to say but the two holes are going to stand out always unless you just replace the $187 panel with a new one. I doubt the prep and body work techniques to "fill" and repaint the holes will be totally invisible or as cheap as a new panel.

You might find some plugs in a color you can live with.... Or look for some good looking Chrome or Black trim item that will cover the area in an aesthetically pleasing way

[Derek Bell]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

sorry to say but the two holes are going to stand out always unless you just replace the $187 panel with a new one. I doubt the prep and body work techniques to "fill" and repaint the holes will be totally invisible or as cheap as a new panel.

$187? Wow, I was thinking that the panel would cost much more. You are right. Screwing around plugging and painting is going to cost and it still won't be right.

Going to the Marketplace Forum for a red front panel...


Thanks!

[Fredvon4]

My front panel has a significat number of rock dings that pierced te Blue paint and "raised" the black plastic underneath. Paul of classicsmarts fame quoted me a $187 cost to replace just that panel

If I were you I would wait about 6 months... the original tomato soup red is going to be replaced by the 09 deep red versions and I suspect a LOT of USA 08 Red owners will be putting their red panels for sale to change to the new color

[Derek Bell]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

If I were you I would wait about 6 months... the original tomato soup red is going to be replaced by the 09 deep red versions and I suspect a LOT of USA 08 Red owners will be putting their red panels for sale to change to the new color

More good thinking. Thanks again.

[buellwinkle]

Wow, what dealer is that? I've bought a few cars from MB/Smart of L.N. and never had a problem with license plate holes. They actually ask you when you buy if you want holes or not and if you say no holes, they make you sign saying you understand that it's illegal. I would have them give you a bumper in exchange.

Illegal is overrated, people violate the law all around me in ways that may effect me, talking on cell phones with no hands free device, speeding, rolling through stop signs, making right on red without regards to traffic, it's a scary world on So Cal freeways, the least of my worries is a guy that loves his car so much he doesn't want to cover the front with a plate. Besides, I ride motorcycles and you only get one plate, so why have a double standard where it's not allowed for motorcycles to have front plates and mandatory for cars. Afterall, my motorcycle is far more capable of exceeding speed limits and breaking the law than any car I own, let alone the Smart.