Rusty No More: How to upgrade your license plate screws.

[Angus]

Friends, as hard as we work to keep our vehicles shine and clean, often our OEM license plate screws go overlooked and rust into painful little eye sores. I’m certainly guilty of letting this happen.

But enough is enough – today I decided to replace the rusting little menaces on my wife’s 2012 Subaru Impreza while at the same time adding a nice little anti-theft layer.

The oxidized culprits:





Corroded offenders removed:


License plate and mounting area cleaned:


New Stainless Steel Security Screws from Lowes (~$5):


I went with slightly longer screws then the OEM ones because I used spacer to keep the new license plate frame from touching the paint.

What makes these screws secure is without this hollow point star drive bit they can’t be removed:

(~$2.50, also from Lowes)

See the little hole in the middle:


Since I was going to trouble, simply replacing the screws wasn’t an option. The cheap-o license plate frame was starting to rust and needed to go as well:


With a brandnew stainless steel frame in hand, a quick layer of BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant is added, and the screws are secured & guaranteed not to rust out anytime soon:


Done!


Hope this little DIY helps free you from Rusty License Plate Syndrome too.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nicely done Ian. Shows attention to detail. Much better looking than rusted bolts.

Thanks for sharing.

[Mask]

Nice number plate & DIY ^^

[SameGuy]

Nice tip! Of course, if you can get a Security Torx bit at Lowes, so can anybody else! OTOH, a Security Torx Plus (five lobed) bit? Somewhat harder to get... But because it's the same type of fastener used for airbags, successful thieves always carry them around as well.

I've mentioned before that I try to keep an assortment of stainless screws and bolts on hand to replace rusty ones on any of the cars I do.

[oldmodman]

Here in California all that get's stolen is the sticker with the year on it.

[Goin Rogue]

Here in California all that get's stolen is the sticker with the year on it.

I slice mine with a knife/razor blade

[Don M]

I slice mine with a knife/razor blade

In Ohio, they are made to tear if you try to peel them off.

[c8n]

I simply painted the screws black

[DetailKitty]

Well done, that would drive me nuts too.

[99monguse]

Or do what I did. gpo to AutoZo** and get a pack of 4 stainless screws