Removing Front Plate

[DeanM45]

I never really liked front plates but especially on the M so today I went ahead and gave it a shot removing and painting. Over all not hard to do, color matching the paint is the hardest part. The bumper itself gets pretty mangled when the plate bracket is screwed into it but a little time and patience will get you through it. I didn't take pictures of the whole process but you can see in the one working shot the area that needed to be addressed and cleaned up before painting.

Before:


In process:


Done:





I REALLY like the look now. Much, much cleaner. Still need to sand and buff. I'll do that next weekend and address some other minor road rash .

[wingFeather]

Looks GREAT! But... aren't you concerned about being ticketed?

[DeanM45]

Nah, if it happens then it happens. Tint, exhaust, you name it is illegal now. I want to enjoy my ride and if it does not cause any danger, then why not?

[Partysan7]

Hey dean,
Looks really good now I have a few questions as Im about to do some
Touch up paint on my car too. First off where did you buy the paint snd in what form ?! Did you paint the whole bumper or just a blend ? Now did you use hardner to the paint ? And lastly did you clear coat ? If so can you please tell me what clear was used ? Plus can you tell me more about the prepping esp. If you painted the whole bumper ? Thanks in advance

[donnieb83]

Wow! Looks great! True comment on the exhaust, tint, etc. I've been pulled over a few times for my tint, but in the end it is worth it! Have you considered a motorized hide away plate for the front? I think it would look good on our cars because we have an opening in the center portion of the front bumper.

[candymanfb]

It looks great .. you did a good job.

A few weeks go I saw a Mitsubishi Evo with a color photocopy of it's license plate on the fromt bumper instead of the metal plate. The guy got it in a "sticker" format. It looked real enough and with no holes drilled to attach.

I personally made a metal bracket for my 2004 M45 that is attached magnetically to the frame. I just attach it when I'm parked in an area with parking enforcement.

[DeanM45]

Hey dean,
Looks really good now I have a few questions as Im about to do some
Touch up paint on my car too. First off where did you buy the paint snd in what form ?! Did you paint the whole bumper or just a blend ? Now did you use hardner to the paint ? And lastly did you clear coat ? If so can you please tell me what clear was used ? Plus can you tell me more about the prepping esp. If you painted the whole bumper ? Thanks in advance

I bought the paint of EBAY in aerosol form (pre-mixed, pretty good stuff. Used it on the side mirrors and with impressed with the quality and ease to lay down) from seller aircardcorp. Just did a blend, did not paint the whole bumper. Hardener is premixed in the paint, its waterborne paint so it sets up nice. Yes, you have to clearcoat as clearcoat darkens the paint slightly and obviously protects it. I use just standard rattle can clear that you get at most autoparts stores.
When I took the plate off the area behind was mangled pretty good, you might get lucky and just have to do the screw hole areas (2). I started with 100 grit and sanded the area smooth, cut out any areas that were too damaged (SHARP exacto knife). Then used some urethane spread to fill in areas that were damaged. Had to use some backing material in two areas as the damage was larger than a dime. Sand everything smooth with 320 grit. Went over the whole area with glazing putty and then once dry sanded smooth with 600 grit. Then a grey scuff pad to scuff the area and about 2" around the area. Clean everything with rattle can prep spray (removes and paint or contaminates that may still be there).
Two coats of rattle can adhesion promoter primer. The adhesion promoter is more flexible than standard primer so you don't have to worry about cracking. After drying 30 mins I laid down three coats of base (2 minutes between each coat) and then one minute after the last base coat I laid three coats of clear with two minutes drying time between. Feather the paint out as you get to the ends of the repair area. If you have metalic paint you have to make sure when laying the base that you are always at 90 degrees to the area, always 8" or so from the area you are spraying and maintain a constant fluid motion (otherwise you get clumps of the metal particles and it WILL look like a rattle can paint job!)

After everything hardens (I give it about a week) I go back and wet sand with 1500 grit and use a PC buffer with Meguires red foam cutting pad and Ultimate Compound then a foam finishing/polishing pad with Ultimate Polish.

It sounds like a lot of work now that I wrote it out but once you get moving it took me about 3 hours of actual work (with masking and drying time removed).

Body guy wanted $300 to do it but I did it for less than $40 in materials and I prefer to do everything myself. If I don't know how to then I want to learn how to.

[DeanM45]

Wow! Looks great! True comment on the exhaust, tint, etc. I've been pulled over a few times for my tint, but in the end it is worth it! Have you considered a motorized hide away plate for the front? I think it would look good on our cars because we have an opening in the center portion of the front bumper.

You're the third person now to bring that up. Never looked at them before but I will now.

Thanks!

[DeanM45]

It looks great .. you did a good job.

A few weeks go I saw a Mitsubishi Evo with a color photocopy of it's license plate on the fromt bumper instead of the metal plate. The guy got it in a "sticker" format. It looked real enough and with no holes drilled to attach.

I personally made a metal bracket for my 2004 M45 that is attached magnetically to the frame. I just attach it when I'm parked in an area with parking enforcement.

I've got a REALLY good vinyl guy but I would never use him for a fake plate (I think there is actually a larger fine for doing that). I do, however, like the magnetic metal bracket idea.

Thanks!

[EniGmA1987]

Looks GREAT! But... aren't you concerned about being ticketed?

I live in Cali too and have gone by plenty of police and been in situations where they would easily see no plate on the front and the police just dont care. Even my custom turn lights that I am 90% sure wouldnt be considered legal the police dont care about.

[wingFeather]

I must have incredibly bad luck then. I got busted for no front plate, and the way the officer wrote it I couldn't "fix it"... had to appear in court, losing a day's wages and the fine.

[MaxBolus]

I live in Cali too and have gone by plenty of police and been in situations where they would easily see no plate on the front and the police just dont care. Even my custom turn lights that I am 90% sure wouldnt be considered legal the police dont care about.

Here in Ohio, I have been running with no front plate for over a year. I also see tons of other cars without the plate and know of nobody that has been pulled over for just that reason.
But of course, even though nobody's bothered you to this point doesn't mean they won't. I'm big on (trying) not giving the police *any* reason to pull you over (for mechanical reasons, anyway)...but I realize that they have a bagful of tricks they can use to find a reason to stop you if they want to.

In addition, if you *do* get stopped for another reason this can be an added fine. I have heard that in Ohio they will write you a $60 ticket even if you are parked (legally) with no front plate.

But I still resist adding that plate I hit a truck tire scrap on the highway and ended up getting a new front bumper. Looks sooooo nice I just can't bring myself to put the holes in it. That magnetic mount sounds good to me as well.

cheers

[atlM35]

Good job! Paint is one thing that I have the most difficulty with, but like you, I try to do everything myself.
My current M came with 3 out of 4 wheels with curb rash. I followed similar steps that you took and the damage isn't noticeable unless if you're less than a foot away.