Fixing cracked and warped Front Plate-Holder

[sad-lumina-owner]

I was circling my car trying to assess the next worst eyesore, and noticed the front (black plastic) licence plate holder.

It had a crack in one top corner and had the appearance of being melted as though someone had placed something hot on it.

In pondering, I have concluded it probably was actually crumpled, after being hit in a parking lot/street parking situation.

But the (PVC?) plastic was oddly bent.

Removing the thing (four screws, two under plate, two on bottom), I noticed the plastic was thick but looked like it could be heated.

First I tried a hair-curler/straightener. But this simply could not heat the plastic up enough to soften it.

Next, I used a propane torch, sitting it on the bench and moving the plastic quickly and briefly over the flame. This worked well.

You have to be careful not to over-heat it, it will catch fire.

But with a series of passes, I was able to remove most of the bends and kinks from the plastic cover, and press back together the cracked spot. I used a pair of pliers to bend and push the plastic.


The crack could be rejoined, but I have learned from experience that attempting to remelt plastic breaks is not reliable and usually ends up in overheating and ruining a component. So this time I was satisfied with closing 90% of the crack and I will fill the rest with Black Goop.

When I removed the plate to get at the plate-holder, The little white (nylon?) square 'nuts' that snap in and provide threads for the screws just fell apart.

So I opted for metal nuts and bolts. Problem is, you can't get at the back of the nut/bolt deal when the holder is mounted on the bumper.

So I put the bolts in backwards and tightened the nuts on after installing the holder. I am not too pleased, because the bolts are too long, and can snag clothing and hurt legs. I may saw them off, or go and buy proper retainer-nuts/bolts (nylon?) later.

I hope this helps others who may have noticed that the licence plate-holder takes a pounding in the parking lot, instead of the bumper (maybe that would be good if the plate holder was cheap).

[gw84]

not trying to be sarcastic, but ...junkyards ftw in this situation.. that item would cost like $1-2 saving lots of time and energy

[sad-lumina-owner]

Originally Posted by gw84

not trying to be sarcastic, but ...junkyards ftw in this situation.. that item would cost like $1-2 saving lots of time and energy

No sarcasm registered...

Of course, in an ideal world, the junk yard would be about a block away, and it would be summer all year round.

But for some of us, it will be at least $5 worth of gas, and $20 of time to get there, and in Snowy Canada, you aren't going to get the junkyard guy to go a mile back into the wrecks and forest, and kneel in the snow for 5 minutes to get you a plate part for $2.

If you don't get it yourself, you'll be paying more like $10-20, and you'll be hearing "You want it when?..." (snicker).

And so its actually the same or less labour to unscrew your own plate holder in your dry garage, and bend it right there.

It cost me a minute or two to bend it and a few cents of propane.

For some this could be encouraging, if they happen to have a few tools.