Cabrera_87

Hey guys I had this car for about a year now and decided to move the plates and put it on a tow hook. When I remove the plates from the bumper I notice the screws that the dealers had install my plates with had rusted and mess up my paint. I'm looking for suggestions on how to cover up the holes and remove the rust from the paint. I'm looking for simple solutions to save a couple dollars for I don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars repainting the whole bumper. Any suggestions would be appreciated . Thank you

rediesel

Honestly - Damage is done I would move the plate back.

I was in the same boat with my W211 after I did an HID upgrade and didn't want to put the Star plate back on the front. I did an ok job w/ bondo/touchup paint (it helped I had lots of other chips), but honestly it looked about as good as with the plate, and in your case I think the small flaws that would be left coupled with an off-center plate look worse than putting the plate back in the center.

Having a body shop take it off and repaint should be $500-700. My bondo/touchup was ~30. There are also plugs, but I think you have to drill bigger holes and I'm not sure what those cost.

Cabrera_87

Thanks for the advise.im going to try and do what you did with the bondo and the touch up paint and see how it comes out othewise I might just have to put the plate back in the center which I hope I don't have to do. Did you get the touch up paint from the dealer or any auto parts btw. And yea I asked a body shop for a quote and is about $800 to paint just the bumper.i live in New York where everything is expensive ( specially when ppl know you own a benz smh). Also I'm going to look into plugs like you said. Thank again

KEY08

The plugs don't look too bad and you can get them cheap. Worth trying that first. They will help cover up some of the rust. I'm not a fan of the off center plate, but I understand a plate right on the crease is bad also. I wish Illinois would do away with front plates. I have received too many tickets in the past for not having my plate mounted so I am stuck like you with that ugly plate right in the middle of the crease.

Cabrera_87

I looked into the plugs and found that bumperplugs.com makes them. They sell them for $27.99 and will probably cost me around $35+ Which isn't so cheap but I don't mind spending if I knew the specs or had any reviews about it.im still searching around to see if the color match is good or how big it is or if it's worth it.ill probably end up buying it by next week but hopefully I get more info on this by then. And yea New York also needs a front plate mandatory.

mleskovar

Go to Ace Hardware, pick a plastic hole plug that fits tightly, use touch up on the plug. Try rubbing the rust streaks out with mild paste or the rust might just come off with a good polish. Before installing the plugs use the handle end of a screwdriver to flatten out the edges of the holes so the plug will lay flat. Picture when done.......

MBSebas87

+1

Mud

IMO it looks worse with the plate sitting there on the side like that, but now are there more holes in that bumper?
I've ordered a lot of stuff from McMaster-Carr over the years, my favorite on-line source for dang near any sort of hardware. They carry a variety of plastic plugs as well but not color-matched. However, as mentioned you can get touch-up paint for them, it's a good idea to have some for the inevitable scratches/dings that will happen.
I also think that there is a bracket that should be behind the plate that accommodates the flat plate against the bumper contour - sort of looks like the plate was stick on there without the factory bracket from the look of the pull that was on those holes.

KEY08

Hey Mud, he said the new plate position is on a tow hook mount.

rediesel

I used the touch up from the dealer. BTW the factory front plate mount is about $100 part . . . so don't toss it in the trash.

Mud

Ah, missed that, thank you

wanderfalke

I think the real problem is it looks like the screw holes are puckered out. A plug is not going to fix that. I would reattach the plate centered. The main reason to not put front plate on is to avoid holes and the ship has sailed on that one. The installation was rather heavy handed. Remount plate and it all goes away. If not maybe one of the mobile bumper repair guys could help. Good luck whatever you decide.

Cabrera_87

Yes the plate is on the tow hook mount right now. I forgot to mention also that the reason I remove the center plate mount is that it was crack I guess something or someone hit it, that's why I decided to get a tow hook mount to avoid damaging more my bumper I just bought some plugs and some touch up paint.i will be putting it on today or tomorrow .i know the bumper needs body work but I just want a quick fix for now. Anything at this moment looks better than 2 holes and rust. Thanks everyone for the great advise

RSIKR

If you are required to have a front license plate in your state MB sells a front license plate frame that conforms to the curvature of the front bumper cover. Very nice I have them fore and aft on my MB, 5 years, two different Es, no corrosion or pickling. The rear frame is obviously straight. They come in chrome or black.

bmeck2003

My car was pre-owned and it had a front license plate bracket installed. I removed the bracket and used short stainless steel sheet metal screws large enough to fit the existing holes. I went to a marine supply store and purchased some plastic washers that accept a plastic cap which snaps over the screw head onto the washer. These are commonly used on fiberglass boats.

My car is red and the plastic caps are black. I guess I could paint the caps red to match the car, but the black caps do not look bad since the lower grills are black.

KEY08

That is an excellent solution. My hot tub has those fasteners with caps on the cover hardware. Those caps are on there really well. Nicely done.

rediesel

I guess along these lines you could get license plate screw covers too.

Russ103

How about trying to buff the rust spots with compound on a wool pad rotary buffer? Follow it up with a sealant and wax. May as well do step 2 and 3 on the whole bumper.


I've heard (never tried) that WD-40 is good at getting rid of rust stains, I doubt it could hurt to try and let WD-40 sit on the rust marks and then try to rub it with a microfiber rag.

schorert1

Move it back, move it back, move it back! that looks terrible!


did I suggest moving it back?

wanderfalke

Take a hole punch and punch out a little circle of wet or dry sandpaper and glue it on a pencil eraser. Use WD 40 instead of water and clean out the rust and repaint.