Alternative license plate mounts for 2021 refresh Model S

[hotsoup]

Anyone have experience with alternative removable front license plate mounts for the refreshed 2021 Model S? Specifically looking for feedback on the SnapPlate which seems to be the only option for now, but curious if there are other options out there. The mounting on the grill plastic seems iffy to me but would like to see what the real-world experiences have been like.

 

[impastu]

Anyone have experience with alternative removable front license plate mounts for the refreshed 2021 Model S? Specifically looking for feedback on the SnapPlate which seems to be the only option for now, but curious if there are other options out there. The mounting on the grill plastic seems iffy to me but would like to see what the real-world experiences have been like.

I ordered SnapPlate.

 

[WilliamG]

If I had the guts to remove my front plate mount, I'd do the SnapPlate, too. I loved it on my 3.

 

[hotsoup]

I just ordered the SnapPlate, and I'm going to try removing the front mount this weekend when it gets a little warmer... with a hair dryer. Will report back.

 

[hotsoup]

Reporting back, wanted to share some learnings:

1. An adjustable spanner works really well for removing the weird star-shaped screws. I see a lot of recommendations using needle-nose pliers, but I think the wrench poses a lower risk of scratching up that front plate.
2. Hair dryer doesn't work - or will take forever. What worked really well for me is the "floss" method. Take a string, some gloves, and start sawing at the adhesive while pulling the string towards you. Worked like a charm, but was pretty laborious to get the leftover adhesive off the mount.
3. The SnapPlate is awesome. Very easy to take on/off, 3 options on how high you want to mount the license plate, and an optional break-away mount. Have yet to test durability.

 

[WilliamG]

Reporting back, wanted to share some learnings:

1. An adjustable spanner works really well for removing the weird star-shaped screws. I see a lot of recommendations using needle-nose pliers, but I think the wrench poses a lower risk of scratching up that front plate.
2. Hair dryer doesn't work - or will take forever. What worked really well for me is the "floss" method. Take a string, some gloves, and start sawing at the adhesive while pulling the string towards you. Worked like a charm, but was pretty laborious to get the leftover adhesive off the mount.
3. The SnapPlate is awesome. Very easy to take on/off, 3 options on how high you want to mount the license plate, and an optional break-away mount. Have yet to test durability.

Thanks for that info! Fancy helping me remove mine?

 

[GaryF]

Anyone have experience with alternative removable front license plate mounts for the refreshed 2021 Model S? Specifically looking for feedback on the SnapPlate which seems to be the only option for now, but curious if there are other options out there. The mounting on the grill plastic seems iffy to me but would like to see what the real-world experiences have been like.

Hated how the front license plate holder looked on my 2021 S and had a high end body shop remove it yesterday. They said it can be a little tricky but they got mine off with little trouble and no affect on the paint. I love how it looks now!!!!

 

[hotsoup]

Thanks for that info! Fancy helping me remove mine?

Something something liability . But seriously, if I can do it, anybody can do it. It's super easy. Just get any durable string that can fit in the gap behind and floss.

The SnapPlate inventor actually has a pretty good walkthrough - here's a link starting from the screw removal part:

. One thing is that he uses a heat gun in the end because his floss breaks, but just get a string that won't break as easily and you're good. The heat gun method is so much more time consuming, messy, and nerve-wracking.

String I used, random thing I found in my utility closet:

Used De-Solv-It to remove adhesive residue, no impact on paint:

SnapPlate:

 

[WilliamG]

Something something liability . But seriously, if I can do it, anybody can do it. It's super easy. Just get any durable string that can fit in the gap behind and floss.

The SnapPlate inventor actually has a pretty good walkthrough - here's a link starting from the screw removal part:

. One thing is that he uses a heat gun in the end because his floss breaks, but just get a string that won't break as easily and you're good. The heat gun method is so much more time consuming, messy, and nerve-wracking.

String I used, random thing I found in my utility closet:
View attachment 707548

Used De-Solv-It to remove adhesive residue, no impact on paint:
View attachment 707546

SnapPlate:
View attachment 707547

Thanks for the pics. I’ll just mess it up. But that’s fine. I rarely look at the front anyway.