Rusty No More: How to upgrade your license plate screws.

Calendyr said:
What do you guys think about going with Torx heads instead of Philipps, Robinson or flat?
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It's a nice touch to offer that a screw replacement service to your customers.

As much as I prefer the torx head screws, I'd suggest you go with something more common such as a Philips or flat head SS screw. When the time comes to remove the plate, whomever is doing it should already have the right tool on hand/ shouldn't need to go out and buy a special torx screwdriver. :dblthumb2:
 
Angus said:
It's a nice touch to offer that a screw replacement service to your customers.

As much as I prefer the torx head screws, I'd suggest you go with something more common such as a Philips or flat head SS screw. When the time comes to remove the plate, whomever is doing it should already have the right tool on hand/ shouldn't need to go out and buy a special torx screwdriver. :dblthumb2:
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Hum Torx comes standard on all of my cheap multi-head screw drivers, same with my Ratch Set kit. But you are right, don't want to inconveniance the Customer if his doesn't have it.
 
Oh and one more thing. I did some research of screw sizes and the reason I can't find any around here is that we use the metric system so 1/4 X 3/4 is simply not available. Here the equivalent is #12 screws and for some reason I think the 3/4 is still used. Very strange! Will buy some tomorrow.
 
Angus said:
Thanks! WeatherTech makes nice products alright. Do the clear plate cover yellow over time?
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Angus, where did you get your license plate frame? I like the caps over the screws, so let me know brand and/or where you bought it.

Looks nice. Dresses car up without being flashy.
 
spewking said:
Angus, where did you get your license plate frame? I like the caps over the screws, so let me know brand and/or where you bought it.

Looks nice. Dresses car up without being flashy.
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Thanks! I agree, the black version is on my black car and I like how clean and simple it is.

I picked up both frames from my local BMW dealer for ~$30 each. Google "4 Hole Slimline License Plate Frame - Brushed Stainless" and you'll see it... ;)
 
I go with stainless. My daily driver sits outside 24/7 & the plate screws have been on it since '05. They still look like new. +1 on slicing the registration sticker.
 
Angus said:
Thanks! WeatherTech makes nice products alright. Do the clear plate cover yellow over time?
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Yes, and haze up just like a headlight. Also our plates here in NJ don't really fit (too big--aren't all license plates the same size? I guess not) so the gasket doesn't seal right, etc. That being said I haven't been able to find anything better, but I haven't tried everything out there, looked at a lot of diagrams though.
 
Calendyr said:
Oh and one more thing. I did some research of screw sizes and the reason I can't find any around here is that we use the metric system so 1/4 X 3/4 is simply not available. Here the equivalent is #12 screws and for some reason I think the 3/4 is still used. Very strange! Will buy some tomorrow.
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A #12 screw is an imperial screw size that's between #10 and 1/4. An M12 would be way too big for a license plate, eh?
 
asianisafish said:
someone stole TWO of my screws.

just two.
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Well that's annoying. At least they didn't take the plate too. Not sure if I already mentioned this already but my brother had his plate stolen once and immediately started getting parking volations in the mail courtesy of the jerk who took it despite going to the police station and filling a report. Long story short, the report was "lost" and it took PA months to fix their filing error and catch the guy who was still driving around with my brothers stolen plate.
 
I like the spacer idea too! I went with some foam tape around mine to keep it softer on my paint but it "bleeds" black a little bit when i wash. I think i'll simply remove that and install some washers. I think that would work better for cleaning and then blowing out any water behind.

Great tip to add on as a customer provided service. I check tire pressures for customers and let them know if i find one or more low but swapping out rusty screws sounds awesome.
 
Nice find Angus!! Seems like the heads are small enough that they fit nicely in the little caps which is a problem with the stock screws.

What did you use for spacers to keep the frame away from the paint??
 
Puckman said:
I like the spacer idea too!
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Thanks!

ski2 said:
Nice find Angus!! Seems like the heads are small enough that they fit nicely in the little caps which is a problem with the stock screws.
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Thank you!

ski2 said:
What did you use for spacers to keep the frame away from the paint??
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Shoot, I should've taken pics of the spacer last last weekend while the plate was off during it's pre-winter detail. They're little plastic washer around 1/8 thick. Plus one side has sticky tape to hold them in place while you screw on the license plate. I'll try and remember to search around Lowes/ HD for an off the shelf option for you guys. :dblthumb2:
 
Angus said:
Not sure if I already mentioned this already but my brother had his plate stolen once and immediately started getting parking volations in the mail courtesy of the jerk who took it despite going to the police station and filling a report. Long story short, the report was "lost" and it took PA months to fix their filing error and catch the guy who was still driving around with my brothers stolen plate.
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Oh shoot, I got a much better story than that.
 
I got the stainless steel pool screws for my license plate:


Thanks for this post!
 
Hey I have the same frame and from PA also. mine is by Cruizer I believe. Get the stailess steel one though. I bough the chrome one the first time and in 3 weeks of PA salt last rear it had huge pits. I emailed the company and set photos and she told me to pick anyone I wanted and sent it free.
 
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