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Front license plate falling off

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by KATS, Dec 9, 2020.

  1. rsilva

    rsilva Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2019
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Novato CA
    Hi. I waited a year to install the front license plate. I thought I followed the installation steps. But afterwards when I looked at the finished installation I saw that only the top strip of adhesive was holding the whole thing. I got Tesla mobile service to reinstall the whole thing. It cost me $40.
     
  2. elptxjc

    elptxjc Member

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    Dec 15, 2019
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    706
    Location:
    El Paso, TX
    Glad to hear it's just a stick-on affair. Will ask SA to leave it off. And I'll carry it in the trunk, and if bothered, then just stick it on. Will also carry a little alcohol pack, to clean all surfaces. That's the most important step for a good, lasting bond.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. dmurphy

    dmurphy Woof.

    Joined:
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    New Jersey - Morris County
    Yep. The factory one is just stick-on.

    I dropped a few bucks on the Quick Bandit plate holder. Absolutely love it - installs super easy, holds the plate away from the bumper so it won’t scratch. Well done, quality product, if a bit pricey.
     
    • Like x 1
  4. elptxjc

    elptxjc Member

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    Will search for it; thank you.
     
  5. tps5352

    tps5352 Supporting Member

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    Bay-Delta Region, California, USA
    I jjust discovered this:

    https://licenseplatewrap.com/

     
  6. 5150

    5150 Member

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    San Diego
  7. f308gt4

    f308gt4 Member

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    SoCal
    Yep, I went with the license plate wrap too. Great solution.

    Thought about this afterwards, but I wonder if you can attach it to those static cling sheets, like what people do with the HOV stickers, to make it removable. Not sure how well it would stick at high speeds, but if it works, would be the ultimate solution.
     
  8. puckpurnell

    puckpurnell Member

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    Location:
    Connecticut
    DITTO. Got mine in 2018 and it's been awesome. Great product that woks perfectly.
     
  9. tps5352

    tps5352 Supporting Member

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    Location:
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    You folks with Model 3s are fortunate. The Quick Bandit, which I would totally buy, is so far unavailable for Models S and X.
     
  10. buddhra

    buddhra Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2017
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    Location:
    San Luis Obispo
    Unless Tony has some other tricks up his sleeve, I suspect that's always going to be the case for S and X. The QB grabs onto the top and bottom of the grille/bumper on the 3 and Y, but there is no bumper there on the S and X. Those grilles are particularly flexible compared to the 3 and Y also. It was a challenge to design our mount for them, but we made it work.
     
    • Informative x 1
  11. tps5352

    tps5352 Supporting Member

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    Location:
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    I am new to the whole wrap issue. But trying to learn.

    I do not know about static cling sheets. Is that a thing? But I do know that some people are on Craig's List selling 3M paint-protection film (a form or wrap, right?) cut into small rectangles to use to allow HOV stickers (in California) to be more-easily applied and removed.

    Then there is this:



    which seems to be another variation on the same sort of thing.

    My question: Isn't the license plate wrap in itself like paint-protection film/wrap? So is it even necessary to use something under the license plate wrap? I don't think so. It would be a classic case of gilding the lily, right? (Look it up.) Here's how I see it (please correct me as necessary):
    1. California HOV stickers.
      - Very strong adhesive.
      - Just like annual metallic, colored license plate update stickers, these are (purposely) difficult to remove.*
      - Use good brand of paint-protection film/wrap (by 3M) underneath to protect auto paint and allow easier removal.

    2. Tesla front license plate holder adhesive strips.
      - Strong adhesive.
      - Difficult to remove (especially with age).*
      - Consider using good brand of paint-protection film/wrap (by 3M) to protect auto paint and allow easier removal.

    3. License plate wrap.
      - Moderate adhesive.
      - It's a wrap product, so it's intended to come off more easily, correct?.
      - Unless I'm mistaken, it's not necessary to use an additional paint-protection film/wrap.
    ______
    * Then there is the issue of whether you even want these things to be easily removable.

    *****​
    • In the world of F1 racing, every saved ounce is valuable. What weighs more? A car painted with primer and a matte topcoat (like Ferrari), or a primed car with a wrap finish? Probably the wrap, correct? Thicker?

      ferrari-sf90-detail-1.jpg
    • How much does full coverage wrap of an average auto weigh in total?

    • The way things are going, will wrap eventually replace conventional top-coat auto paint entirely?

    • How long does wrap last? Assuming proper maintenance, what does a 10-year-old wrapped car look like? Sun damage? Cracks? Fading?

    • Wrap must help protect eastern cars from salt-caused body rot, correct?
     
  12. dmurphy

    dmurphy Woof.

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    He's got a prototype on the bench for the X. We've talked about it. :)

    In the meanwhile, I've picked up The Law for our X. (Got it second hand @buddhra - sorry; didn't realize you were the genius behind SnapPlate!) It's not nearly as slick as the Quick Bandit, but it does the job. Excuse the Rudolph nose on the X; it was a picture from the holidays.

    The Law - Tesla Model X Front License Plate Bracket (Auto Pilot Compatible) x7340

    IMG_6991.jpg
     
    • Like x 1
  13. tps5352

    tps5352 Supporting Member

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    Location:
    Bay-Delta Region, California, USA
    I've watched your videos. Good work making the best of a challenging engineering problem with the Models S and X.
     
    • Love x 1
  14. Gasaraki

    Gasaraki Active Member

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    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
  15. Ampre Sand

    Ampre Sand Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    36
    Location:
    Seattle
    I installed the OttoSteer OttoPlate mount that uses the Tesla OEM Paton plate holder. I like that it looks stock and has a lower profile when viewed from the side compared to the “floating” options. As I have PPF film on the front bumper, I’m not worried about the physical contact. Still easy to remove to clean behind and stow for my winters in AZ.
     
  16. f308gt4

    f308gt4 Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2020
    Messages:
    111
    Location:
    SoCal
    I’m fairly new to this too. Yes, the license plate wrap is like a paint protection wrap, but I suspect it will be difficult to take off (I.e you will probably ruin the plate when it comes off). I don’t think you can easily remove it and reapply. But, I may be totally wrong about that.

    The static cling sheets are available and people use them for the HOV stickers so that they are easy to remove and reapply, which means you don’t have to keep them on the car all the time. There is a thread about this, linked below:

    CA HOV sticker reapplication and paint protection solution

    I was thinking that you could use the same film underneath the license plate wrap so that you can remove and reapply as often as you want. But, I don’t know how strong it is, and if it would work in that particular situation.
     
  17. tps5352

    tps5352 Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    Messages:
    298
    Location:
    Bay-Delta Region, California, USA
    Just when I think I've seen it all, along comes a new, clever engineering idea. But once again, only for Models 3 or Y. Tesla discrimination. Boo! (Ha, ha.) By necessity, I am still focused on license plate wrap for Model X.
     

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