I happen to live in a state (Texas) that requires a front plate (been stopped and warned about not having mine on). I have seen in several of the Corvette Parts magazines that there is something that is called a "smooth front license surround" that is color matched to your car and fills in the void between the license plate and the body. In the magazine pics it looks decent. Has anyone bought one, and what do you think of it? Thanks.

 

I have one on my car. The pewter color matches very well to the original paint on the car. I bought mine directly from Kewl and received great customer service. Contact Greg at Kewl (www.kewlauto.com).

 

You can also buy the clear plate cover, and paint the inside to match your car, painting tight to the plate numbers. One of my friends did this as well as some other members and its the closest to NO tag you can get. I'll be doing this if I get another ticket for no front tag.

 

I had some rustoleum "Emergency red" lying around from a prior project. I sanded and painted the oem surround and it turned out great. closely matches "torch red". I used a sponge brush to apply, waited for paint to dry and wet sanded till smooth. then i used polishing compound to shine. when folks see it they can't believe i didn't spray it.

 

I had my stock surround painted Torch Red while the car was in for some body work. It looks fine. I think the smoothy may be a painted stock unit with some extra work to smooth out the little dimples that are in the plastic.
Bill

 

I bought the Kewl - see the sig picture.

 

http://www.vetteshop.cc/default.asp?...28&NID=1866070

We have them for $49.99...

 

I have never installed my front plate, I've been lucky.

 

Either have I, but we won't go there.

Anyone have close ups of the surround installed?

 

I went with an unpainted surround, which is black, to tie in with my blackouts and my black z06 screens. But, the pic should still give you a good idea on the fit.

 

You can make your own smoothie. Buy the part from the GM dealer and a can of matching spray paint. Sand down the surround to get out the crinkle finish and paint it. Do some wet sanding in between coats and finish off with a clear coat spray that you can get at your local auot parts store. You will save a lot of $$$$.

 

The Kewl surround is good, but the difference in looks depends on the color of the car. On my MSG, the black one looks pretty good (That's the one you see in my sig pic). But I bought the Kewl one anyway and it is just a bit better looking close up.

 

 

As much as I didn't want to, I broke down this past weekend and installed my front plate with the GM surround. Decided I didn't need to add to the coffers of Texas by getting ticketed for a no front plate infraction. But I also smoothed the rough finish of the GM piece, then applied some plastic adhesion promotor followed by primer and lastly a couple of coats of Lemans Blue. Used acrylic enamel instead of the BC/CC factory finish. Great match. Still, I'd much rather have the factory closure panel displayed since it ties the front end together so well.

 

I also had mine painted when at the shop for something else and then covered it with 3M's bra material. Now it looks like it belongs. I should change my sig file to show it sometime.

 

Just ordered my mag red Kewl front plate surround last night. Has anyone found a product that allows you to place in front of the plate for rock & bug protection (ie. clear plastic cover) with the Kewl surround?

 

Greg's painted stuff for the C5's matches the OEM colors perfectly.

 

look at mine. it is MY and it matches perfectly.

 

Do you have the part number by any chance? Thanks

 

Mid America sells a clear plastic cover that covers the plate but not the surround. Works well with the surround and together is the next best thing to running with no front plate.