Finished the "ed4" Front Plate Mod...(pic links editted)
10-28-2006, 08:39 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Finished the "ed4" Front Plate Mod...(pic links editted)
Here in NY, a front license plate is required and the local police are getting great at "reminding" us of this.
So...to at least make an attempt at complying I decided to do the "ed4" front plate mod originated by Ed4 on the B7 forum...
All that is required are some Neodymium N48 Rare Earth Block Magnets. I used 0.75" x 0.5", and some 5 minutes epoxy.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v30/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod1-vi.jpg"></center>
I removed the front plate trim from the car. Very easy to do. Pry the sides towards the center of the car to realease the two side tabs, then pull straight down.
I marked the back of the plate where the magnets were to go...
<center><img src="http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod2-vi.jpg"></center>
Then applied the magnets and epoxied them in place. This was an interesting procedure since Rare Earth Magnets are very, very strong, and even when stuck to the plate they wanted to travel towards eachother until the epoxy cured. If you do this, mix small batches of epoxy and glue the magnets one at a time.
Also, since these are very strong, they wanted to stick to everything on my desk..and if they get within ten inches of eachother they will snap together..and from that distance will most likely shatter. So caution is required.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod3-vi.jpg"></center>
Once the epoxy cures, turn turn the plate over and then position the plate filler panel of the plate where you want it. Now you can place the magnets on the back of the filler panel and they will stick in the right location. I gave them a dab of cyanoacralate glue just to hold them in place for the epoxy
The paper towel was to prevent the oils in the epoxy from leaving a mark on the painted filler panel.
<center><img src="http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod5-vi.jpg"></center>
I added a cheap plate frame, and some nylon plate screws. Nylon allowed me to cut the excess on the back easily and won't mare paint if I am careless.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod6-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v29/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod7-vi.jpg"></center>
I leveled the nylons screws on the back after cutting the excess, and levelled the epoxy on the magnets so it would be flat, then added small felt pads on top of the magnets for paint protection.
It is as easy as snapping it on and off...
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v29/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod8-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod9-vi.jpg"></center>
ed4 used similare sized magnets with the same install and the plate held strong upto 140mph..and he had a micro fiber cloth between the plate and filler panel..so for what I need this will be perfect!!!
------------edit-------------
As it turns out, the magnets I used were just a hair too thick and the filler panel stuck out about 1/8". While I haven't done it yet, I will probably get smaller magnets for inside the filler panel so the panel sits flush again.
So...to at least make an attempt at complying I decided to do the "ed4" front plate mod originated by Ed4 on the B7 forum...
All that is required are some Neodymium N48 Rare Earth Block Magnets. I used 0.75" x 0.5", and some 5 minutes epoxy.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v30/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod1-vi.jpg"></center>
I removed the front plate trim from the car. Very easy to do. Pry the sides towards the center of the car to realease the two side tabs, then pull straight down.
I marked the back of the plate where the magnets were to go...
<center><img src="http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod2-vi.jpg"></center>
Then applied the magnets and epoxied them in place. This was an interesting procedure since Rare Earth Magnets are very, very strong, and even when stuck to the plate they wanted to travel towards eachother until the epoxy cured. If you do this, mix small batches of epoxy and glue the magnets one at a time.
Also, since these are very strong, they wanted to stick to everything on my desk..and if they get within ten inches of eachother they will snap together..and from that distance will most likely shatter. So caution is required.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod3-vi.jpg"></center>
Once the epoxy cures, turn turn the plate over and then position the plate filler panel of the plate where you want it. Now you can place the magnets on the back of the filler panel and they will stick in the right location. I gave them a dab of cyanoacralate glue just to hold them in place for the epoxy
The paper towel was to prevent the oils in the epoxy from leaving a mark on the painted filler panel.
<center><img src="http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod5-vi.jpg"></center>
I added a cheap plate frame, and some nylon plate screws. Nylon allowed me to cut the excess on the back easily and won't mare paint if I am careless.
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod6-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v29/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod7-vi.jpg"></center>
I leveled the nylons screws on the back after cutting the excess, and levelled the epoxy on the magnets so it would be flat, then added small felt pads on top of the magnets for paint protection.
It is as easy as snapping it on and off...
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v29/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod8-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/43687/4202522/20061028ed4Mod9-vi.jpg"></center>
ed4 used similare sized magnets with the same install and the plate held strong upto 140mph..and he had a micro fiber cloth between the plate and filler panel..so for what I need this will be perfect!!!
------------edit-------------
As it turns out, the magnets I used were just a hair too thick and the filler panel stuck out about 1/8". While I haven't done it yet, I will probably get smaller magnets for inside the filler panel so the panel sits flush again.
