[Hellrot Sachin]

Hey all.. Illinois requires a front license plate but I'm stubborn and would like to have something I can remove cleanly. Has anyone installed magnets (thinking of rare earth) on the inside of the front bumper to secure the plate. I would think they'd be strong enough to hold with ease. Ideas? Should it cause any issues?

Thanks,

Sachin

[fdriller9]

Magnets won't stick to license plates. You'll have to glue magnets onto the plate itself as well.

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by Hellrot Sachin

Hey all.. Illinois requires a front license plate but I'm stubborn and would like to have something I can remove cleanly. Has anyone installed magnets (thinking of rare earth) on the inside of the front bumper to secure the plate. I would think they'd be strong enough to hold with ease. Ideas? Should it cause any issues?

Thanks,

Sachin

I've done it.

I used neodynium magnets from an industrial magnet supplier and epoxied them to the inside of my bumper on two parts. I then bought the Skene frame and put the magnets on that. In order to secure it a bit more, I used a bit of removable caulking.

I did wrap my magnets in duct tape (hidden though) since I didn't want the magnets to scratch the car when you bring it close. The magnets are really strong!


photos:

[wchoy]

and then some one can take it with ease... id suggest a tow hook plate mount.

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by wchoy

and then some one can take it with ease... id suggest a tow hook plate mount.

With removable caulking, the only way to take it is to use dental floss to cut it first, then pull it off (which does require a pretty strong pull too). Probably easier to remove a plate with a screwdriver...

Tow hook plate mount looks funny too since it's not centered.

[DRWS10]

On my old car, I went without a front plate in IL for over 3 years and then I sold it and that guy still hasnt put it on.
Just leave the license plate in your car and bend it up a bit and if you ever get pulled over you tell them it fell off and you are really sorry you havent gotten around to putting it back on.
Honestly I dont think you have to worry about it but if you want to follow the law then id go with strong magnets.

[hipnotic]

i don't think this will hold for too long

[C.D.335xi]

Originally Posted by josh06lau

i don't think this will hold for too long

Actually neodymium magnets would hold no problem at all. If you do a bit of research you'll see that many sites that discuss these supermagnets provide hazard warnings to users. One example: "Neodymium magnets larger than a few centimeters are strong enough to cause injuries to body parts pinched between two magnets, or a magnet and a metal surface, even causing broken bones."