Screw Marks Installing Rear License Plate

[Howard1485]

I wasn’t paying attention and the screws that came with the rear license plate were a bit long and left a small mark. I purchased some touch up paint from TouchUpDirect. I’m not super concerned with the matching as it will be covered by the license plate but wondering if this is necessary to prevent corrosion? For what it’s worth it’s Frozen Portimao Blue. Has anyone also done this and done anything differently to fix?

[Howard1485]

Here are some pictures of the damage for reference.

[M5Rick]

Don't use screws! I only use double sided licence plate tape from a Honda dealer which are the best and don't peel off in rain or hot weather and the plate is flush with the body without a holder.
Just a dab of any blue car touch up will suffice for the stab marks as they are hidden by the plate.

[Howard1485]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Don't use screws! I only use double sided licence plate tape from a Honda dealer which are the best and don't peel off in rain or hot weather.
Just a dab of any blue car touch up will suffice for the stab marks as they are hidden by the plate.

Would I use the double sided tape for both the license plate to the back bracket and for the front frame to the license plate?

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Howard1485

Would I use the double sided tape for both the license plate to the back bracket and for the front frame to the license plate?

On mine the licence plates are flush with the bodywork and no holder, once the Honda d/sided tape grips it won't let go, my licence plate holders were put away in the garage and the larger holes on the trunk are covered up with duck tape.

[Howard1485]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

On mine the licence plates are flush with the bodywork and no holder, once the Honda d/sided tape grips it won't let go, my licence plate holders were put away in the garage and the larger holes on the trunk are covered up with duck tape.

One last question, do you know if that area will corrode being exposed? I would suspect that it is sheet metal behind there since it’s the trunk? Will touch up paint protect corrosion from occurring?

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Howard1485

One last question, do you know if that area will corrode being exposed? I would suspect that it is sheet metal behind there since it’s the trunk? Will touch up paint protect corrosion from occurring?

So long as primer still covers the puncture marks as it appears in your pic, if you can see shiny metal then a dab of primer and when dry the colour will suffice , it is then sealed.

[Howard1485]

Here are some after touch up photos. I used paint from Touchup that actually matched pretty well but not the greatest touch up job. Anyone who has done this, is it normal for it to look uneven. I’m new to this.

[spazzz]

That's normal. The screw created a crater.
Usually a toothpick dabbed into the crater would do it. I never use the brushes that come with touchup.
I buy 00 artist brushes and use a baggie as my paint tray. You can practice on the baggie before you hit the spot.
Without sand paper before and after it is almost impossible to get it perfect.
But what you did serves the purpose. Did you wipe the area with a paint prep before the paint went on?

The dipshit who owned my X1 before me cranked a sheet metal screw right through the metal, securing the plate. Made their mama proud on that one. I used JBWeld to plug it

[Howard1485]

Originally Posted by spazzz

That's normal. The screw created a crater.
Usually a toothpick dabbed into the crater would do it. I never use the brushes that come with touchup.
I buy 00 artist brushes and use a baggie as my paint tray. You can practice on the baggie before you hit the spot.
Without sand paper before and after it is almost impossible to get it perfect.
But what you did serves the purpose. Did you wipe the area with a paint prep before the paint went on?

The dipshit who owned my X1 before me cranked a sheet metal screw right through the metal securing the plate. Made their mama proud on that one. I used JBWeld to plug it

I wiped with some cleaning/prep cloth. I used primer since I saw some metal. So primer/color/clear.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Howard1485

I wiped with some cleaning/prep cloth. I used primer since I saw some metal. So primer/color/clear.

You're 100% good to go.

I use screws but I did buy some I knew were long enough to hold the plate but short enough to not poke through the plate holder. It's still an option for you.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5S553C...roduct_details

For my 135i. Not sure about any other cars.

[NickyC]

If it's any consolation to you, at first I thought you were talking about the indents in the black VIN tape and didn't even notice the scratches you were really talking about.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I use screws but I did buy some I knew were long enough to hold the plate but short enough to not poke through the plate holder. It's still an option for you.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5S553C...roduct_details

For my 135i. Not sure about any other cars.

Was surprised to find my 2022 X3 came with BMW plastic screws for the license plate, no risk of scratching:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...al-07146959895

(Not sure about the fitment on the FCP page -- I had a 135i that used the same screws as you posted).

There are no longer threaded inserts in the plate bracket: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...BoClcwQAvD_BwE

[Howard1485]

I decided to bring my car to an auto body shop to do the touch up. They seemed pretty confident that I wouldn’t know when they’re done. Has anyone had touch up performed by a professional and what were the results that they saw?

[shiftdnb]

honestly I wouldn't worry too much about how it looks because it will be covered by the license plate. The true need to fix it would be to prevent it from rusting and spreading underneath the paint.

[Howard1485]

Originally Posted by shiftdnb

honestly I wouldn't worry too much about how it looks because it will be covered by the license plate. The true need to fix it would be to prevent it from rusting and spreading underneath the paint.

Unfortunately I’m a little OCD haha. I was curious how good touch up paint will be done by a professional. I’ll post some pictures if anyone is curious.

[JJ 911SC]

Oh the humanity...

[Howard1485]

Auto body shop definitely did a better job than I did!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

for what its worth, it was less noticeable before touch up. now thats just my opinion not shitting on you and your car and your ocd

sometimes leaving it is better than touch up IMO

[Howard1485]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

for what its worth, it was less noticeable before touch up. now thats just my opinion not shitting on you and your car and your ocd

sometimes leaving it is better than touch up IMO

I realize many on here are rolling their eyes haha but figured it might help someone decide between doing touchup themselves or having a professional do it. Or maybe not do anything at all. Only reason I wanted to do something was because of the metal showing and at least wanted to protect it.

[Gladius Nova]

I'm OCD to a point, but this is a first world problem.

[fcman]

I used Dr Colorchip on a few rock chips on the front of my C7 corvette. I put the paint on and left to let it dry and then came back to wipe them as instructed and not even lying I couldn’t even find most of them anymore. That stuff is absolute magic.