GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Rear License Plate Scratching Paint

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-26-13, 09:22 AM
  #1  
terrycs
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
terrycs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default Rear License Plate Scratching Paint

Just thought I'd throw this out there ...

I finally got around to installing my rear license plate and discovered that the bottom edge of the plate/frame will eventually scratch or cut through the paint on the trunk lid over time. I had some of this around so I attached two strips side by side to the entire bottom edge of the rear plate and it appears to work well. I'll see how it holds up over time.



Old 03-26-13, 02:17 PM
  #2  
mehran888
Advanced
 
mehran888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ON
Posts: 720
Received 113 Likes on 62 Posts
Default

My plate was originally mounted poorly and had the same issue. I got the dealership to put some felt underneath the bottom edges when I heard the plate rattling against the trunk whenever I closed it. There are a couple of chips there from the first couple of weeks of ownership, but hopefully it helps.
Old 03-26-13, 02:55 PM
  #3  
harleymark
Pole Position
 
harleymark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I read this thread and went to look at my GS...Yup, I have a little scratching around the plate. Gonna have to rig something similar to prevent rubbing and further damage.
Old 03-26-13, 03:22 PM
  #4  
mso4
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
mso4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Just be sure to stick the weatherstrip to the paint and not the plate. So the plate can vibrate freely over the strips.
Old 03-26-13, 03:33 PM
  #5  
terrycs
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
terrycs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mso4
Just be sure to stick the weatherstrip to the paint and not the plate. So the plate can vibrate freely over the strips.
I stuck mine on the plate. Didn't want any adhesive on the paint either.
Old 03-26-13, 03:42 PM
  #6  
mso4
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
mso4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by terrycs
I stuck mine on the plate. Didn't want any adhesive on the paint either.
After a week of driving, dirt will get in between the strips and your paint. With small amount of dirt trapped between the strips and your paint you've essentially created a strip of sandpaper. Vibrations from trunk closure or driving over rough surfaces might create noticeable damage over the long run.

So just be careful. Adhesive stuck on pain can easily be remove with a little soap and water
Old 03-26-13, 04:17 PM
  #7  
mehran888
Advanced
 
mehran888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ON
Posts: 720
Received 113 Likes on 62 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mso4
After a week of driving, dirt will get in between the strips and your paint. With small amount of dirt trapped between the strips and your paint you've essentially created a strip of sandpaper. Vibrations from trunk closure or driving over rough surfaces might create noticeable damage over the long run.

So just be careful. Adhesive stuck on pain can easily be remove with a little soap and water
Hmm. Good point. I'm going to wait till the weather is warmer and take off my plate to see what I can do.
Old 03-26-13, 07:58 PM
  #8  
XBimR
Driver
 
XBimR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for bringing this up. Just checked mine and you can see very small marks (car is two months old). I used a small amount of gorilla tape (like duct tape but stronger, can be used outdoors) on the top where the screws go in and a bit of weatherstripping as you did on the bottom to act as a shock absorber.

My wife's RX has metal plates at the contact points up top. I think one of those details they overlooked on our cars. I'm a little disappointed to be putting weatherstripping on a $60K car!
Old 03-26-13, 08:23 PM
  #9  
terrycs
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
terrycs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mso4
After a week of driving, dirt will get in between the strips and your paint. With small amount of dirt trapped between the strips and your paint you've essentially created a strip of sandpaper. Vibrations from trunk closure or driving over rough surfaces might create noticeable damage over the long run.

So just be careful. Adhesive stuck on pain can easily be remove with a little soap and water
Oh! Good point! I'll redo mine.
Old 03-27-13, 07:01 AM
  #10  
bigblack06
Moderator
iTrader: (20)
 
bigblack06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Beantown
Posts: 7,042
Received 326 Likes on 223 Posts
Default

Yeah dealership installed felt to the back of mine, got to get it done needed to replace my frame.
Old 03-29-13, 07:52 PM
  #11  
sarmyth
Driver
 
sarmyth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

So you guys know you can just bend the plate right? I ended up doing that right when I put the plate on the car as before the bend, the contact looked like it was going to be an issue. That being said I don't run a frame so I only have the plate to worry about.
Old 04-06-13, 11:25 PM
  #12  
terrycs
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
terrycs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Just thought I'd update this. I have a frame so bending the plate wasn't an option for me. Also the product I first tried in my original post didn't stick very well to the paint. I switched over to 11" of this single side adhesive foam tape and it seems to work perfectly.



Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FutLex
RX - 4th Gen (2016-2022)
15
03-16-22 06:54 AM
YODAONE
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
4
11-29-17 01:24 PM
Abermac
GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020)
9
03-14-14 02:34 PM
Kalaries
Pacific
13
06-18-12 09:45 AM
sjgIS350
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
8
02-19-06 04:29 PM



Quick Reply: Rear License Plate Scratching Paint



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:52 AM.