Toque

Guys:

So Texas is clamping down quite hard on the front license plate issue.
$200 fines are starting...

I got a clear front plate, and some spray paint in my color on the way.

I want to paint my front plastic cover like this guy did.
(Spray painting the INSIDE of the cover).

Any tips on doing this the "right" way the "first" time ?

Thanks !
Toque

Maxx_Z06

raydawg357

I painted Mine From The Inside And It Looked Great For Almost A Year, The Problem I Had Was The Moisture That Collected In The Inside That Eventually causeD The Cover To Yellow. I EndeD Up Settling For The 3/4 Trim.

3boystoys

LEO's will probably get you for this too.

Toque

I got a polish for that....

Hopefully they will see that I tried...

Toque

joeflyer

It's very simple:
Clean it, mask it, spray it. No sanding required.

The first time I painted the outside. Paint on the inside doesn't chip or scratch. My current cover still looks good after five years.

raydawg357

Here are pics from when I did mine:

Painted Clear Cover


3/4 Trim

NealB

I washed the inside with hot soap/water, then cleaned again using rubbing alcohol

taped the "window" on the inside and sprayed with paint code rattle can

I actually did it twice

first time the unpainted area looked too small so I did it again with a new cover and made it bigger

I can measure mine if you wish

I also drilled two new holes in the car to move the tag upward, and then got screw head covers from Lowe's and also painted them to match

in hindsight should have painted the screw head covers white

Sonny71

I'd check with local LEOs first, the clear covers are illegal here in NY (front or back).

PhysicsDude55

Clear covers are technically illegal in Texas, but its not usually enforced. I think as long as the plate is easily visible, then you'll be OK.

I haven't had a car with a front plate for the past 7 years and no tickets, but sounds like that might start to change...

envyz06

I wonder if it is gonna be hot for awhile and tapper off just because it is so new. Anyone know how to order an extra plate in texas? I only have one and it is a custom plate.

Corvette_Ed

Contact the MyPlates company. They're the only ones who can make you another plate.

My Plates

7301 Ranch Road 620N
Ste 155, 185
Austin, TX 78726-4537

Customer Service
Toll Free: 888-769-7528
Fax: (936) 632-0030

Toque

Good ideas ! Thanks !
I am going to tape mask the outside of the plastic cover first in my garage to see how I want to align the inside tape. That should give me an idea how I want it to look (Before paint). I have a custom plate so my paint area will have to be custom dimensions.
Yea I see what you mean about the screw head covers being white. Good tip ! ! !

This is as best as I can give them.... If they want more than that, then to bad. My factory cover goes back on.

I have had my car 9.5 yrs since new and had one warning.
I'll do this clear plate mod for a while to see if the dust settles.

I hope thats true...

Thanks guys !
Toque

Evil-Twin

From a pure design point of view. If it were me. I would make a cardboard template of the four corner radii. I would not use 90* sharp corners. I would make sure that the top had some paint on it. The sharp corners would be very in your face , where as the soft radii would flow much better with the rest of the front end. Just a thought
Bill aka ET

Toque

You read my mind ET.
I was planning the same.
Nice curved edges etc...

Thanks !
Toque

zesstey1

What he said. I was thinking the same thing!

steveovette

You just know Toque will do it correctly.
I myself just painted the 3/4 trim to match the car.
Might change to the clear cover after I see how Toques turns out as I don't like seeing the top screw holes in the license plate

Navybluevette

I have the painted trim on mine, I was wondering if the clear cover would fit over it also and them you would not need to paint the clear cover.

Toque

I hope so too.....

Toque

FormerlyFiero

Clear covers are out of the question in Oregon, I have a body color 3/4 cover. That said, if I were to paint the inside of a clear cover I'd air brush a feather edge and use rounded corners.