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Front Licence Plate Removal and holes plugged for $0.70

45K views 64 replies 38 participants last post by  22617 
#1 · (Edited)
My Gen Coupe came with the OEM front license plate installed and I've been wanting to remove the front plate for the longest time and I finally got some free time to do it.

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What you need:
1) A screw-driver to remove the 4 screws (2 on plate and 2 on bracket).
2) A round metal file
3) A power drill with a 3/16" drill bit
4) 3/16" Locking hole plugs from Home Depot (~ $0.70)
5) Spray paint if your GenCoupe isn't white



Sorry I ripped the bag open before I snapped a pic...Note one of the actual plugs is on top of the package in the middle.


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What I did:
1) Unmount your front plate and the mounting bracket.


The bracket has 2 hook at the bottom (for holding it in place along with the top 2 screws). Wiggle it around and it'll come out.


I like most holes, but not these...


2) Take your drill with a 3/16" drill bit (or match it with whatever size of hole plugs you bought from Home Depot) and make the holes a bit bigger, the OEM mounting screws were probably 1/8" or 3/32" in diameter.


3) After expanding the holes, take the metal round file and lightly file down inside the holes and the surrounding edges to make the surface flat. Camera FAIL sorry.


4) Now shove the hole plugs into the holes, these ones I got from Home Depot have a locking mechanism so they shouldn't come out (they're in there pretty good).








Notice the tiny holes next to the 2 I just plugged, a WARNING to you all, do not do what I did. A while back I took the plate and bracket off just to see how big the holes were before I went to Home Depot. I used my power drill to screw the screws back on and I must've over-tightened the 2 screws holding the plate and the holes were the product of my stupidity (or just lack of awareness). I'll figure out a way to patch them up later.


Much better without the front plate...




Finally, do yourself a favor and use some Turtle Wax to buff out the dark marks around where the bracket used to sit. It was getting dark out so I'm gonna have to do this some other day.

Should I keep this bracket just in case or should I sell it? hmm...






2 day-time pics added:


 
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#3 ·
I found these locking hole plugs in the nuts 'n bolts aisle...these were inside one of the pull out drawers....
 
#5 ·
x2 on the DIY sticky. If only this was legal in my state...
 
#9 · (Edited)
I think I can always put the bracket back on because I only very slightly enlarged the holes...and yeah the hooks at the bottom hold most of the weight so the screws up top can probably be a bit loose....


Meh, I just had the dealer replace my bumper. Problem solved!
haha true....you saved yourself $0.70 lol...
 
#10 ·
Very helpful post, I removed mine and hated the holes and scratches left behind. Now to find a way to get the plugs in a subtle black so they don't stand out too much.
 
#11 ·
the hole plugs I found in Home Depot all came in white....just spray paint them if you can't find black ones....
 
#13 ·
yup..but i like nipples more than holes....in this case...
 
#15 ·
Added 2 new day-time pics in the first post...
 
#23 ·
Quick question

Do we think this is waterproof... I hate my OEM Track spoiler and would love to remove that and have it replaced with a BBM CF lip spoiler or something similar.... and instead of having to have the whole trunk sanded and resprayed this looks like a great option, potentially put some silicone or something on the screws obviously would be used... just curious as to what everyone thinks...
 
#27 ·
If you shave off the rough edges around the drilled holes very carefully and put these locking hole plugs in I dont see why it wouldn't be waterproof since mine locked in pretty tight. And yeah like you said some silicon wouldn't hurt.


any idea about in a state that requires you to have a front lisence plate like NJ? does putting it in the front window compensate for that, or no good...
In CT front plates are required. I've had the front plate off of my Ralliart for 2.5 years and never got pulled over. My co-worker took hers off too and she's been ok. As long as you don't do something stupid or have a loud-a$$ exhaust i dont think cops will pull you over just for that. Well at least that's the case in CT, can't say for NJ or other states...
 
#26 ·
Paps

State of NJ required front license plate by law

Personally I have also heard if the dealership does not install brackets you are not mandated to put it on

I have never put my plate on my front end of the Gen and never get bothered

I KNOW for sure though you can get a ticket for it... my GTI I got about 7 no front plate tickets... but I also had a HUGE FMIC, 400WHP, 0% tint all around and 3" of straight exhaust, so it was a cop magnet anyway, but they would give me that ticket vs others because I was nice to them

In the front window does not count or benefit they will still hit you for it...
 
#28 ·
I did this today, thanks to this thread. Thanks.
 
#30 ·
In IL your supposed to, but Ive never ran one, and never had a problem. The only people I ever hear complain about it, are people breaking TONS of small laws, and the cops add it to the list, just like posted above, Limo tint all the way around, loud as **** car, loud as **** stereo, really blue headlights or Neons, stuff like that. When a cop sees one thing wrong, he probably wont bother, but 4 or more, yea your probably getting pulled over. lol
 
#31 ·
Ralli yeah thats what I figured, as long as I take my time and do this right with the silicon, and really make sure these sit in perfect I shouldn't have an issue... if I do... well I guess my G/Fs dad will be redoing my trunk and shaving off all badges and filling the stupid H area.... God Hyundai why did you have to recess that F'N thing grrrrr
 
#32 ·
I live in NC (no front license plate required) the dealership had my white 3.8 R-spec shipped in from Richmond, VA (where they require front license plates) needless to say it came with this front license plate bracket installed, after an hour and a half of going back and forth with the salesman and his GM finally got my way and am having it taken it in next week for them to repair the holes and repaint the entire front bumper! Man I hate this ugly black piece of plastic can't wait for it to be gone!

Phillip
 
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