License Plate Frame...chrome or black?

[White95Max]

Originally Posted by John N.

Here's one that will attract a little more attention, and would make Mr. T. proud - which, if you are like most people, is something that is probably pretty important to you.

http://www.traffictalk.com/tt/product/?pid=371

I prefer to attract attention via my glossy paint.
No gold nugget license plate frames needed. lol

[klnyc]

Paul,

Go with frameless
Nah seriously get what ever you want. It's your ride.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by ceiol

If anything, black. But on my cars, nothing.

Agreed. Plain black or nothing and I go with nothing on most of our vehicles. But then I'm always giving White95Max ultra-conservative advice

One more reason not to get the "ZOOM ZOOM" one- the way LEOs will react when they radar you. You will *not* be the guy they let off with a warning

Put some rubber/silicon self-adhesive bumpers on the back side of the plate. They'll hold it away from the paint and also keep it from vibrating. Get the big rectangular ones they sell at Lowe's.

[boehljed]

I would second the suggestion for the Weathertech frame with cover. They seal out water and dirt and keep your plate looking new. I think they are the classy way to display an normally un-classy license plate.

[JohnnyDaJackal]

I voted for chrome, I think it will match your car a little more and look a little subtle. The black seems a little overpowering. Maybe if you had a hooked up RX-8 or the new turbo'd 6's I'd say get the darker one to get the point across (zoom-zoom), but you don't. Are any of the mazda forums worthy enough for a license plate frame? I have the Club RSX license plate frame which IMO isn't to flashy, but gets the point across. I learned a lot from the site so the least I can do is represent a little.

[White95Max]

Johnny - No, there really isn't any Mazda forum that I like that much. Forums as great as Autopia are a rare breed!

Accumulator - I don't know how much of a concern that should be. I don't drive THAT fast. If I had a custom plate = DRV2FST, I could understand why a cop might be influenced. But a Zoom-Zoom plate frame? Most people realize that it's just a slogan. It doesn't necessarily mean that I drive recklessly or anything. Who's to say the plate frame didn't come on the car from the dealership?

Actually, despite my Passport 8500, I very rarely speed within the city limits. I typically only speed on county highways.

[DuMouixe]

I am going to try black piping on mine first, cause the only part about the plate
that bugs me is the raw tin edge. Maybe a black herringbone with red thread.

Hunt the dollar bin at auto parts store. Buy cheap version of black and chrome to test 'the look'. Then order something custom. Plain is the best imho.

Or take a picture and have somebody photoshop it.

I made my own vinyl plate backing with a $4 roll of shelf liner.

this joint will do a 14 character custom job with auto logo for $29.

http://www.autolicenseframes.com

[Arved]

Originally Posted by White95Max

I don't like to have the corroding edges of my plate touching the paint. I want something to hold the plate away from the paint.

I think the license plate frames you're looking at mount on top of the license, so they do nothing to protect your paint from the rusty edge.

I was thinking about those self-adhesive silicone rubber nubs they sell for (picture) frames, but they may mar the paint if dirt gets underneath and the plate vibrates.

How about a couple rubber washers under the license plate, to lift it up off the painted surface? That and the piping you were discussing should work out nicely.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Arved

..I was thinking about those self-adhesive silicone rubber nubs they sell for (picture) frames, but they may mar the paint if dirt gets underneath and the plate vibrates...

The soft silicone ones don't seem to do that. At least not to a noticeable extent. I've had them on my vehicles since forever and they're the best thing I've tried yet. The plate doesn't really vibrate if you snug the mounting bolts/screws down so the silicone pads are just barely under tension. Sure beats having the edges of the plate (or even a frame) dig into the paint.

White95Max- Well, my response was predictably conservative, huh

[White95Max]

Where does one obtain these silicone washers? I'm interested.

[MiataFan1]

I think less is more...
I have a stainless frame without lettering.

Luckily Arizona only requires a plate in the rear.
I don't think I could handle a front plate messing up the flowing lines of the front of my Miata.
I am an artist and I think in a global manner to anything I add to my car.

[Black240SX]

Front plates are required where I live. I took mine off the other day to clean in behind it, and wow, my car looks twice as nice without it.