License Plates

cogitocogito Wagonist
in Bodywork & Cosmetic Modifications
Back in the old days of changing your plates out every year, it was prudent to use hardware that didn't rust together. But now, plates here last twenty years, and you just put a new sticker in the corner each year. Well, I'm finally getting my first set of new plates after many years, and had a question for you guys.

I bought some nylon bolts and nuts for this purpose many years ago and never used them because of the shift to stickers. But now.... I was going to use them but then I thought, why make it easier for someone to steal my plates? Does anyone have any thoughts on this strange topic? What do y'all use?

Comments

  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    Why would people steal plates? Only reason I can think is punk kids, or crack heads. sorry if your either or. Im not trying to offend but the truth hurts :lol: If you have a alarm on your car you shouldn't have a problem. if you have a prox-sensor then no one should be getting close enough to touch the damn car. I have custom brackets that hold my plate off to the side and its just normal hardware from true value and I have never though about the rusting. I have always like the idea of zip ties for holders. It allows the plate to flex and not be bent as easy.
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    i just use screws haha.
    or, for my Euro plated, they are enclosed in a plate frame that clips shut, never to be opened again and the bolts are behind so basically its hard to steal without using man power lol
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    skinny wrote:
    Why would people steal plates? Only reason I can think is punk kids, or crack heads. sorry if your either or. Im not trying to offend but the truth hurts :lol:
    Welcome to the big city. I'm not a punk kid or crackhead, sorry to disappoint you. People who can't get plates(because of DUI or no license, etc.) or afford them will steal them all day long.
  • WagicWagic Wagonist
    I use stainless steel hardware - spendy, but you only have to buy it once (unless people are rippin' your shit off :cry: ). I would be concerned about nylon's durability if you are doing a lot of parallel parking. They may also get brittle over time with exposure to elements.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Over here people steal numberplates to do drive-offs at petrol stations.

    Most Hondas i've owned the bolts holding the plate has rusted so they usually can't be taken off easily.
  • 1991KA81991KA8 Wagonist
    i have tamper proof torx bolts used for airbags on mine, have a coating on them and makes it harder to take them.....can still be done but eh'
  • WagicWagic Wagonist
    Haydz wrote:
    Over here people steal numberplates to do drive-offs at petrol stations.

    Hey, that's a great idea! :wink: :lol:
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    skinny wrote:
    Why would people steal plates? Only reason I can think is punk kids, or crack heads. sorry if your either or. Im not trying to offend but the truth hurts :lol: If you have a alarm on your car you shouldn't have a problem. if you have a prox-sensor then no one should be getting close enough to touch the damn car. I have custom brackets that hold my plate off to the side and its just normal hardware from true value and I have never though about the rusting. I have always like the idea of zip ties for holders. It allows the plate to flex and not be bent as easy.

    Do you read what you post? Sounds like you are the punk kid to me.

    He wants to prevent his plates from being stolen and you recommend zip ties? :roll:

    I have had my plates stolen and I am neither a crack head or a punk kid either. Mine were stolen because they were put on a stolen vehicle. I was only using phillips head screws but never again.

    I now use rivets to secure mine. Not too many thieves carry around cordless drills.
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    well here in oregon, atleast where im at license plate theft is vitually unheard of. like I stated the only people that do it around here are kids and crack heads. Reason I say crack heads is they take them in for scrap metal
  • evol911evol911 familEE
    What about the tamper proof screws you see on bathroom stalls? Or the screws that use the square bits?

    Check out this website, pretty nifty shit!!
    http://www.tamperproof.com/
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    ragenasian wrote:
    Do you read what you post? Sounds like you are the punk kid to me.
    The sig line says it all.
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    evol911 wrote:
    What about the tamper proof screws you see on bathroom stalls? Or the screws that use the square bits?

    Check out this website, pretty nifty shit!!
    http://www.tamperproof.com/

    i've seen these on a couple cars at the junkyard haha
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    pretty nifty shit!!
    you could buy a boxset for all those
    screws for app.$15 overhere...

    waste of money
    never used those exotic bits
    :mrgreen:
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    I still say pop rivets. :D

    Super cheap, easy to install, pretty hard to just rip off.
  • Dave-ODave-O Wagonist
    I've got reverse-thread allen-head bolts holding the plates on my Integra. Someone actually tried to steal my plates once, and took off after they couldn't get them to turn normally, hahaha! They're maybe hand-tight, just threaded opposite.

    Not to mention they look pretty racy. :lol:
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    ragenasian wrote:
    I still say pop rivets. :D

    Super cheap, easy to install, pretty hard to just rip off.
    I don't know anything about pop rivets. How do you remove them? Is it worth it for me to buy a rivet gun or can I go to a body shop or garage and they will be able to do it easily?
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    You have to drill out the centers and hope the rest comes out easy. you can buy the gun if you want. if you know a shop that has a dirt racing car they will have one. Anywhere that does sheet metal work should have one. hit up a harbor freight or what ever you have there for a cheap one.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    The rest 99% of the time comes out easy. A pop rivet gun is about five bucks and the rivets are a couple of bucks a pack.

    Find the right size drill bit, drill your hole, put the rivet in, slide the gun over the stem of the rivet and squeeze until the stem pops off, and you are done. Take the same drill bit, drill the top of the rivet off and pull you plate off. Most of the time the back side of the rivet will just be pushed out. Sometimes they get stuck but nothing a quick snip can't fix.

    After that you always have the rivet gun for other crap :wink:
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