What are peoples' plans for front license plates?

Illinibird

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Thanks much

- Craig's website description says not for installation on Clear Bra type material. Does that mean the XPEL Ceramic stuff is to be avoided where this bracket goes?
I think it does and I want my 3 M clear bra protecting my car.
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Davedough

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I think it does and I want my 3 M clear bra protecting my car.
If I had to guess, I would say it's only because the adhesive would pull off the clear bra material of you removed the bracket. I would think that if you simply didn't apply the material under the nose cone then it should be fine, but I'm just speculating.
 

Illinibird

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If I had to guess, I would say it's only because the adhesive would pull off the clear bra material of you removed the bracket. I would think that if you simply didn't apply the material under the nose cone then it should be fine, but I'm just speculating.
I agree with you. The installer would just razor cut the PPF around the mounting plate so the 3M PPF wouldn’t interfere with the the 3M adhesive.

However, I’m pretty sure I’m going with the OEM mounting bracket. I went that route with my 2002 retro T-Bird and when I showed it at the Chicagoland Thunderbird Shows (at different Ford dealers) it was never an issue. I won mostly First Place Awards at the shows in the 2002-2005 category. It was really difficult judging the car, however, since it was brand new and in looking back, I think the voting for the awards was mostly political. I saw many of the 2002-2005 contestants walking around lobbying for their cars hoping to get the most votes. Almost ALL the T-Birds had the OEM brackets mounted on them as it’s the law in Illinois and I wasn’t willing to pay the fines just because I didn’t want two little holes in the bumper (where they couldn’t be seen anyway).

To each his own.
 
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ChasingCoral

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Thanks much

- Craig's website description says not for installation on Clear Bra type material. Does that mean the XPEL Ceramic stuff is to be avoided where this bracket goes?
That’s what I understand from the website as well. I’ll have to inform my XPEL installer to leave a section under there open to install the mount — or have them install the mount too.
 


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ChasingCoral

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I agree with you. The installer would just razor cut the PPF around the mounting plate so the 3M PPF wouldn’t interfere with the the 3M adhesive.

However, I’m pretty sure I’m going with the OEM mounting bracket. I went that route with my 2002 retro T-Bird and when I showed it at the Chicagoland Thunderbird Shows (at different Ford dealers) it was never an issue. I won mostly First Place Awards at the shows in the 2002-2005 category. It was really difficult judging the car, however, since it was brand new and in looking back, I think the voting for the awards was mostly political. I saw many of the 2002-2005 contestants walking around lobbying for their cars hoping to get the most votes. Almost ALL the T-Birds had the OEM brackets mounted on them as it’s the law in Illinois and I wasn’t willing to pay the fines just because I didn’t want two little holes in the bumper (where they couldn’t be seen anyway).

To each his own.
My concern is when I sell it or if I move to a state that doesn’t require front plates, then those holes will be glaring. ,
 

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That’s what I understand from the website as well. I’ll have to inform my XPEL installer to leave a section under there open to install the mount — or have them install the mount too.
Did you get a quote on the XPEL already?
 

Illinibird

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My concern is when I sell it or if I move to a state that doesn’t require front plates, then those holes will be glaring. ,
True. ALL worried about that thinking our nostalgic T-Birds were going to be collectors items someday and many wanted them “pristine” and actually trailered them around. Never happened though so front license plate brackets are the least of my concerns.
 

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I have zero concerns about the car being collectable. I simply don't want to drill arbitrary holes in the front of my car. Honestly, I can't understand how after all this time automakers haven't devised a simple system for hidden plate mounts. In the case of this car, they could have a pair or recessed screw holes under that front lip that a bracket mounts to. Damn near every automaker simply relies on the dealer to allow their $7.25/hr prep person to haphazardly drill three holes in the front of a pristine vehicle. I don't want my car abused like that. Also, as ChasingCoral alluded to, if I resell it to someone in a single plate state, I don't want the bracket holes to be a negative mark on the sale. If I were in a single plate state and someone had a vehicle I wanted to buy and it had holes in the front, I would pass on it.
 

Illinibird

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I have zero concerns about the car being collectable. I simply don't want to drill arbitrary holes in the front of my car. Honestly, I can't understand how after all this time automakers haven't devised a simple system for hidden plate mounts. In the case of this car, they could have a pair or recessed screw holes under that front lip that a bracket mounts to. Damn near every automaker simply relies on the dealer to allow their $7.25/hr prep person to haphazardly drill three holes in the front of a pristine vehicle. I don't want my car abused like that. Also, as ChasingCoral alluded to, if I resell it to someone in a single plate state, I don't want the bracket holes to be a negative mark on the sale. If I were in a single plate state and someone had a vehicle I wanted to buy and it had holes in the front, I would pass on it.
I hear you! I had a $7.25/hr prep person install a rear license plate on my brand new 2015 $60,000 Acura MDX and he "screwed" it up going into the body of my car!! It had to go to the body shop immediately for repair! So that definitely can happen and I appreciate your concerns.

Having said that, I've had over 15 new cars over my lifetime with the plates mounted on the front bumper (as per Illinois State law) by the "prep" people and it only happened once (and that was the REAR plate).

My new Mach E won't be "abused" in my eyes in any way.

Again, to each his own.
 
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ChasingCoral

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Excellent! I was supposed to go to see the Mach-E today but my plans changed. Looking good for Craig's plate solution. If you haven't, please, send your pics to him. Now, to go bug my salesmen to make sure the OEM bracket stays off mine.
Excellent! I was supposed to go to see the Mach-E today but my plans changed. Looking good for Craig's plate solution. If you haven't, please, send your pics to him. Now, to go bug my salesmen to make sure the OEM bracket stays off mine.
Scott,
I am guessing you were planning to be at Metro in Schenectady yesterday. I drove from Buffalo and met a couple of guys from the Capital area EV group and they mentioned a friend from Syracuse planned to come but work got in the way.

I am also concerned about drilling the front bumper for a bracket and if the 1.5 inches is sufficient per Craig, that is the way to go.

Sorry you missed it.

mme1.jpg


mme2.jpg


mme3.jpg
 
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ChasingCoral

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Scott,
I am guessing you were planning to be at Metro in Schenectady yesterday. I drove from Buffalo and met a couple of guys from the Capital area EV group and they mentioned a friend from Syracuse planned to come but work got in the way.

I am also concerned about drilling the front bumper for a bracket and if the 1.5 inches is sufficient per Craig, that is the way to go.

Sorry you missed it.

Ford Mustang Mach-E What are peoples' plans for front license plates? mme3


Ford Mustang Mach-E What are peoples' plans for front license plates? mme3


Ford Mustang Mach-E What are peoples' plans for front license plates? mme3
Nice photos. That space is shown even better in red. Rather jealous you got a Rapid Red. All we got were black and two IBs.
 

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For those looking @ Craig's solution + PPF, what are peoples plans for those who are apply PPF onto the front grill/bumper?

Per Craig's site - *CAUTION: Not recommended for install over vinyl stripes or clear bra type material.
 

buffasnow

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Nice photos. That space is shown even better in red. Rather jealous you got a Rapid Red. All we got were black and two IBs.
They had an IB and a red......red looked great, but I already have 3 red cars in the driveway. Like you, I am getting a grabber blue FE (mine is a drop). That's the one that counts, right?
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