CanadaDC

We have a 2012 ES 350. The dealer installed the front license plate holder with the 2 top screws mounted to the car so the bottom of the license hangs free. In the 18 months we have had the car the license plate is bending quite bad especially after going through the car wash. I bought one of those metal license plate holders but it's still not strong enough to keep the license plate flat. Any suggestions?

christcorp

Take the license plate off. Flatten it and get it straight again. THEN, go to lowes, home depot, or some hardware type store and get yourself a piece of 1/4" sheetmetal or similar. Cut it the same dimensions as the license plate and put 2 holes in it at the same place as the license plate holes. Basically, you're making a "Backing" for the license plate. If you want to go one step further, you can drill 2 more holes on the bottom of the metal backing. (Most license plates have 2 more holes at the bottom). Then you can use small bolts and attach the plate to the metal backing. Either way, you'll have a nice sturdy piece that even the car wash won't be able to touch.

jagtoes

I would change my car wash. I have never had this problem but I go to a touchless car wash .

christcorp

I've had the car wash bend my wife's license plate on her car. But that wasn't my biggest problem. The thing that really pi$$ed me off, but it's too late and I learned my lesson, was what the car wash did to my "Clear Bra". Along the edge of my hood and a couple places on the front bumper, the car wash scuffed up the plastic coating of the clear bra. The only thing to do, would be to spend $400+ and have the clear bra removed and put a new one on. Which I won't do. But I agree, only use a touchless car was. I go to the pressure car washes and wash the car myself from no own. I never thought the traditional car wash would screw up the clear bra. But I should have thought about it first.

John U

I did the metal frame too but I never go thru a wash with brushes. I'm very meticulous about a scratch free surface. Good tip about the clear bra...I have them also on my cars.

SICK350

iTrader: (1)

If the car wash is bending your license plate I doubt it is good for your car, hand wash or touch less washes is the way to go. I ran my car thru both styles of washes and my plate is fine.