05-03-2024, 05:47 PM | #1 |
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previous owner drilled into the trunk
i was swapping out the license plate bracket to get rid of the awful dealership frame and noticed that the previous owner made mounting holes by actually drilling into the trunk itself.
it doesn’t appear there’s any rust right now, but what are my options here to prevent any rust? also, i guess im kind of stuck using these holes now? not really sure how to proceed. |
05-03-2024, 06:22 PM | #2 |
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I wouldn’t worry about it, but If you’re really concerned about rust get a touch up & apply some paint to the holes edges.
I haven’t taken my plate off but I suspect there’ll be a couple of holes in my tailgate where the number plates been fixed & that’s the supplying BMW dealer plate…now I’m thinking about it, all of my previous BMWs have had their rear plates screwed to the boot/trunk
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05-03-2024, 06:25 PM | #3 | |
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i was considering some touch up paint but won’t the screws just take that right off? i was also thinking of putting some neoprene washers between the plate bracket and the paint to help keep water out of there. |
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05-03-2024, 07:30 PM | #6 |
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My E39 came from Belgium of all places and had holes for Euro plates drilled right through the trunk. Plates down here have the same dimensions as those in the USA so the holes ended up exposed.
I've had that car for almost 20 years, never given a second thought to the holes and never had any issues with rust. That being said, I don't have to fight with salt, just rain and humidity. |
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05-03-2024, 09:32 PM | #7 | |
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I was assuming the fixings just passed through the trunk & into nuts behind
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05-04-2024, 06:55 AM | #8 |
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no, the screws are just threaded into the sheet metal. i’ll get pictures in a few minutes.
Last edited by dickmidnight; 05-04-2024 at 07:06 AM.. |
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05-04-2024, 08:27 AM | #9 | |
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Maybe you could get some of the correct plate fixings, clean up the holes, paint bare metal & pop them in
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05-04-2024, 08:58 AM | #10 | |
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drill larger holes, touch up paint on all bare metal, install some riv-nuts and reinstall the plate holder. |
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05-04-2024, 09:09 AM | #11 |
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Jesus wtf. The dealer was too cheap to buy a rear plate bracket or something? I'd be pissed
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05-04-2024, 05:52 PM | #13 |
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Jesus! I wonder if bumper plugs would be an option as well.
https://bumperplugs.com/welcome?gad_source=1
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05-04-2024, 06:47 PM | #14 | |
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i actually have to drill them out wider, and install a threaded rivet that’ll take the screw for the license plate bracket. before those go in, i’ll paint any bare metal. |
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05-04-2024, 06:49 PM | #15 |
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WOW! They did a number on plate install.
Well, the trunk/boot lid (#1) is made of aluminum…so that may help with the “rust” issue. All they needed was the US license plate holder (#2), which would have screwed into the two holes already there…and the holder has the four holes that fit to the holes in the US license plate. As mentioned already, you could find plugs for the holes they drilled, then pick up a US license plate holder and use the holes designed already to hold the license plate. If the holes drilled in will be covered by the plate…you can pick up push plugs at the big box stores like Lowes…if you can find the right size to fill the hole (or you can drill if too small)…they simply push in and are held by compression. Plus they don’t cost that much and will fill the hole to prevent water from running inside.
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05-04-2024, 09:24 PM | #16 | |
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05-05-2024, 11:26 AM | #19 |
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Did you go with the body colored painted plugs or generic?
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