Magnetic Front License Plate

[Rovert]

Hi guys,

I'm posting this as a DIY for my M3 but this can be used for any bumper. Just a little bit of creativity will be needed for your bumper. I believe this would be a similar install compared to a coupe with M-tech II front bumper.

For all those who don't want to drill holes in their front bumper and don't like the JDM tow hook mount for a plate, this is my solution for a front plate which is reliable and strong! I did this "similar" modification on my 330i (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377209&highlight=) as well and it lasted many years of my ownership of it, including hard cornering at 90MPH and breathing stretches at 140MPH+.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KxBfhN8n9to/U3Q0Ze1pXzI/AAAAAAAANQA/-fgd4JNCkTY/w996-h638-no/IMG_1925.JPG

The hardware you'll need are rare earth magnets. When you install them into cups, they increase in strength four fold. So I found these:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JD6n0jp3XxvodqZtxQ0R_gKQvofPLE1ES2qTuNcQNwg=w851-h638-no

http://www.leevalley.com/en/images/item/woodworking/magnets/99k3330s2.jpg

I purchased "D" which is the 3/4" diameter rare earth magnet set. The direct-pull strength on a naked 3/4" magnet is 22lbs when against steel. I got two of each magnet, cup, and washer for $6.30 where I live at Lee Valley Tools in Vancouver, Canada. In normal application you'll use the magnet and cup on one side and the washer on the other side to keep things together by magnet. Since I wanted to use this on an automotive application I wanted to make sure I use a magnet on each side for extra strength. So I used a total of 8 3/4" magnets, 8 cups, and 2 washers for this project. I also used two screws, two nuts, and two locking washers for the license plate. The last thing I bought were a pack of heavy duty soft acrylic pads ("B" on the image below) to stick on the bumper clear coat and magnet surface. They're non-skid, high shear load, and handle temps up to 140F so they're great to protect the clear coat as well as keep the magnet seated against the bumper.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/images/item/woodworking/magnets/99k3261s4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BYMG_X-LVf8/U3Qpv4lFtvI/AAAAAAAANRA/p4LoFjarbtQ/w851-h638-no/IMG_1905.JPG

I folded the bottom of my plate to a near 90 degree angle which you can adjust after. I used the two holes on the bottom of the plate to mount my rear earth magnets. In order from top to bottom is: rare earth magnet, cup, screw, license plate, washer, locking washer, nut.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HdZl5-wVMnY/U3QqsrmWbhI/AAAAAAAANQ4/RhDlczz6kqg/w851-h638-no/IMG_1907.JPG

You'll need to remove your front bumper for this because you need to add magnets behind to create four hidden mounts.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K3wB7lB5LNE/U3QFiIefI7I/AAAAAAAANRI/Y4SgMc4BfAI/w851-h638-no/IMG_1901.JPG

Pull off the lower grille too to make it easier to access the empty space. I didn't have to do this with my ZHP sedan.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jwHcPMzVojg/U3QrdM35qHI/AAAAAAAANQg/xLIAF-DS_q0/w851-h638-no/IMG_1912.JPG

You'll need to make sure the magnets attract to each other positive to negative. Keep them both the same and they'll repel each other. Clean the bumper so there is no dirt and test the magnets to align the plate. You'll want the bumper magnets to be as far forward as they can.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cICM7WjXGMY/U3QrG3nmDZI/AAAAAAAANQw/kidUl9n-4VA/w851-h638-no/IMG_1909.JPG

Once you have them aligned I use thin double sided tape to attach the magnets to the inside of the bumper:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YhcbLZPxv3k/U3QrL-CNTbI/AAAAAAAANQo/Oru51Ag8wd4/w851-h638-no/IMG_1911.JPG

After the two magnets were setup and taped down I installed another 2 on the plate with 3M double sided tape which is thicker than just double sided tape as I wanted it to buffer the space in between the plate and magnet should the plate need to bend a little which it was. The 3M tape made the inner magnets higher than the screwed on ones so I needed to bend the middle of the plate further down from the outside magnets.

Once the license plate is centered and inner bumper magnets are set I installed the black soft acrylic pad stickers on each magnet and where the magnets contact. To get the sticker on the bumper accurately I laid one sticker upside-down on the magnet. I let the opposite magnet set itself on the bumper while i slowly placed the sticker onto the bumper as that magnet attached to the bumper. The sticker was installed perfectly when I did that. Pop the lower front bumper grille back on if you took it off or take extra time to black Plastidip the grille if it's faded and not black anymore.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A4smUn9r9UM/U3Q0OxKf1II/AAAAAAAANQI/zhMDVlLbpmQ/w851-h638-no/IMG_1919.JPG

You can see how close I made everything in the picture below. I added another sticker to the back of the license plate where it can contact the front facing part of the bumper right in the middle.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QsrcPlbZ5uAQiwWRox99jQbi9ewRVJFtiBObBhh4tFI=w479-h638-no

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tRTqMFA-XMY/U3Q0fBJqVJI/AAAAAAAANP4/DJbvk36Rb4o/w851-h638-no/IMG_1929.JPG

Put the bumper back on and enjoy being able to take off and put on your front license plate in less than a second. This is great when you're at car meets and want a clean front bumper for photos. I'll probably cut off the excess screw length and then Plastidip the washer/nut so it blends in with the dark grille better.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/13969059199_e875f3ba24_b.jpg

[Hermes]

Dude... I'm definitely doing this

[derbo]

This is a pretty fantastic idea!

[Tnhl1989]

Probably a great idea on the fseries as well :)

Links to order the parts would be great :)

Rare-Earth Magnet, Cup & Washer (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=58750&cat=1,42363,42348)

Cups, Discs and Washers for Rare-Earth Magnets (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32066&cat=1,42363,42348)

[danewilson77]

Thanks Trevor.


As long as we are not just 'rehashing the bashing', this could and should be a useful thread.

[Hornung418]

Brilliant idea, Trevor! Solid execution.

Thanks Trevor.

Why does JR's quote keep appearing on your posts?

Sent from my GS3.

[BMWPassion]

I used a similar method to attach my license plate to the bumper but instead of magnets I used velcro. cost was about three dollars. the velcro can be removed by peeling it off and using acetone to wipe away the sticky stuff, but your idea of using rare earth magnets is top notch.

[ELCID86]

nicely done. can the title be changed to add "doityourself"?

[1 M Mike]

Ingenious. This is Simon Bar Sinister stuff!

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608037356304861593&w=300&h=350&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0.jpg

Beats my idea of using a well hidden inside the bumper monkey.

[Rovert]

Haha. I tried putting a monkey in there to hold the plate but I thought I wouldn't have enough bananas to keep him happy.

To make the button part more flush I realized you could use a much thinner washer and delete the locking washer. Or just use the locking washer. Once the screw is shaved off you can paint it which would in essence be equivalent to lock-tite.

[johnrando]

This is awesome due to the quick release, vs. the gominigo which are no-holes but not quick release. One thing I'm not sure of, when you say "quick release", you can just pull it off w/o much effort? Not that I know why someone would, but if someone wanted to just pull off your front license plate, could they just do that then? Is there something you have to unscrew?

[danewilson77]

No screws. I'm worried about jaw shattering pot holes.


As long as we are not just 'rehashing the bashing', this could and should be a useful thread.

[BMWPassion]

that's 4 22 pound magnets on maybe a5 ounce license plate, that thing could probably take 200 G's or more. somebody do the math because I suck at math.

[johnrando]

if that's the case, then how could it be 'quick release'?

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[Hermes]

He's saying the strength of the magnets is overkill for the use. I seriously doubt it's going anywhere unless it's physically taken off

[johnrando]

ohhhhhhh! :)

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[Avetiso]

Yeah neodymium magnets are really strong.

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[Rovert]

To separate rare earth magnets you need to slide them across each other to release them which is quite a task. There's no way you're going to separate them in a direct pull with your fingers either. Since sliding is out of the question against a clearcoat or a high friction pad, I use the leverage of the plate. Just tip the top of the plate forward and the magnets will pivot and be released from their hold.

[Tnhl1989]

Video to demonstrate? Also John USmillworks (http://www.usmillworks.com/)has a quick release now :)

Great for car wash machines. Of course I use the one at work and remove my plate before it gets all bent out of shape.

[johnrando]

Good info Tony. I like the quick release. I might have to get this. Anyone want a gominigo at a decent price?

[Rovert]

Video to demonstrate?

Here you go!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g75yh10ylzi267o/2014-05-17%2012.38.20.mov