I haven't seen pic's of IP'S
#16
11-07-2006, 05:17 PM
#17
11-07-2006, 05:18 PM
Originally Posted by GoofyG28
+1000000. I actually have a deposit on a car from them, and they said they can't do anything about it (which is true; it's CA law). Another dealership offered to "try" their best not to, and make me sign a release of liability.
Anyone know of a good place -- if the dealership can't provide it -- for hole plugs? I've seen cars that have these color-matched plugs that fill up the holes.
Anyone know of a good place -- if the dealership can't provide it -- for hole plugs? I've seen cars that have these color-matched plugs that fill up the holes.
#19
11-07-2006, 05:22 PM
Originally Posted by vstrizheus
Makes me even more anxious!! DANG IT THESE PICS MAKE ME WANT THE CAR SOONER! (Even though the wife will drive it 5 days a week, weekends we go places together so thats probably when I'll be driving it)
#20
11-07-2006, 05:23 PM
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
Last edited by GoofyG28; 11-07-2006 at 05:28 PM.
#21
11-07-2006, 05:27 PM
Originally Posted by GoofyG28
Yup, I just discovered the URL, too. Too bad the Blue Slate is too new of a color. I'll contact them and see if they can reproduce the color. Anyone have the color code ready for the Blue Slate?
You can get plastic plugs at Home depot that are similar. (I think in the elect dept)
Then use touchup paint to match them.
#22
11-07-2006, 05:28 PM
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
Another solution that others have done....
You can get plastic plugs at Home depot that are similar. (I think in the elect dept)
Then use touchup paint to match them.
You can get plastic plugs at Home depot that are similar. (I think in the elect dept)
Then use touchup paint to match them.
#23
11-07-2006, 05:28 PM
Originally Posted by canuck
Yeah, I am sure seeing these pics are making you anxious to get it...
Although it is thoroughly documented that yours won't be IP. 
Makes me even more anxious!! DANG IT THESE PICS MAKE ME WANT THE CAR SOONER! (Even though the wife will drive it 5 days a week, weekends we go places together so thats probably when I'll be driving it)
#24
11-07-2006, 05:33 PM
Originally Posted by GoofyG28
I'm always so terrible with touch-up paint. That built-in brush causes brush lines when I apply it. Anyone has good tips?
Ok....not likely your COT, but....
FWIW, here's a DIY for the more adventurous, that I came across....
DIY BUMPER HOLE PLUGS
I don't like bumper plugs, so I filled the holes, and I think it looks pretty damn good, much better than bumper plugs, and its flush. I can take pics and make a proper DIY if anyone is interested, I never knew if they were or not though.
What you need:
1)Phillips head screwdriver
2)Standard pencils with erasers
3)Superglue
4)Bondo brand spot Putty (Walmart, $3)
5)2000 Grit Automotive Dry/Wet sandpaper (I used 3M brand, Walmart, I think like 4 bucks for a pack)
6)OEM touch up paint for your color (I got the paint+clearcoat bottles for $12 bucks from a dealer)
7)Paper Hole puncher, standard
8)Toothpick or very Fine painters brush, your choice.
9)Car polish
1)Remove license plate, screws completely
2) You will probably find the edges around the holes to stick out (like someones lips if they were to suck on something cylindrical)
3)Take a fairly blunt object (i used the phillips screwdriver) and 'tuck' the lips inward, trying to seal up the hole. Run your finger over it, make sure that it is now flush, or inverted, but should not be extroverted (i.e. no more "lips"). You can use slight force.
4)Clean the hole and a mm or so around it with alcohol. Let dry
5) Fill holes. Apply Bondo spot putty in small amounts, and use a flat item like a credit card or something to help flatten it. Don't put too much, or you will have to sand later, and its a pain in the but.
6) Let dry, per directions.
7) Take a paper hole puncher, and punch out a few dots out of the sanding paper. Put a very small drop in on the tip of the pencil's eraser (use new pencils so they eraser tip is flat) and affix one of the dots to this. Repeat on a couple more pencils using more dots. make sure the superglue is very little, because when dry, it can become hard, and excess can cause light scratches. Take a block type eraser as well, small, about 1/4 inch, and cut a piece of sand paper and afffix it as mentioned previously. These are your sanding tools.
8)Sand the putty down using the sanding tools you've made. Be careful not to sand further than just the area needed. If you were clean and accurate in your application of putty, this shouldn't be a problem.
9)Between sanding, wipe the area with a clean cloth, and "feel" to make sure it is smooth.
10)Fine tune the sanding using the pencil eraser tools and some water. Take a spray bottle, fill it with water, and spray it liberally on pencil sandpaper dot and hole area. wet sand, very gently. Carefully sand a little bit down, i.e. not flush with bumper, it should be very slightly inverted.
11) let dry, then clean wipe area with alcohol. Make sure no loose sediments are there.
12) Take a piece of tape, i used scotch, but painters tape would be better probably, and punch a hole using the hole punch. run a pen or pencil tip through this to enlargen the hole, the circumference should be the same as the hole that has putty. place a strip of this "holed" tape over the area, and apply touchup paint with a fine artist's brush or toothpick. Apply in small quantities. Make sure you coat entire area to cover up any putty. Let dry. Apply another coat. Let dry.
13)Remove tape after, and wet sand area again using pencils. Be very gentle and use consistent, flat pressure. Let dry.
14)You will see "white" hazing around the area you sanded.
15)Use a polish, I used Meguiar's body scrub and rubbed it in well, this brought it back to its natural shine. Apply wax if you wish.
Done. Looks a lot better than plugs, and a good learning experience as this is similar to how you'd handle rock chips (sans putty).
I don't like bumper plugs, so I filled the holes, and I think it looks pretty damn good, much better than bumper plugs, and its flush. I can take pics and make a proper DIY if anyone is interested, I never knew if they were or not though.
What you need:
1)Phillips head screwdriver
2)Standard pencils with erasers
3)Superglue
4)Bondo brand spot Putty (Walmart, $3)
5)2000 Grit Automotive Dry/Wet sandpaper (I used 3M brand, Walmart, I think like 4 bucks for a pack)
6)OEM touch up paint for your color (I got the paint+clearcoat bottles for $12 bucks from a dealer)
7)Paper Hole puncher, standard
8)Toothpick or very Fine painters brush, your choice.
9)Car polish
1)Remove license plate, screws completely
2) You will probably find the edges around the holes to stick out (like someones lips if they were to suck on something cylindrical)
3)Take a fairly blunt object (i used the phillips screwdriver) and 'tuck' the lips inward, trying to seal up the hole. Run your finger over it, make sure that it is now flush, or inverted, but should not be extroverted (i.e. no more "lips"). You can use slight force.
4)Clean the hole and a mm or so around it with alcohol. Let dry
5) Fill holes. Apply Bondo spot putty in small amounts, and use a flat item like a credit card or something to help flatten it. Don't put too much, or you will have to sand later, and its a pain in the but.
6) Let dry, per directions.
7) Take a paper hole puncher, and punch out a few dots out of the sanding paper. Put a very small drop in on the tip of the pencil's eraser (use new pencils so they eraser tip is flat) and affix one of the dots to this. Repeat on a couple more pencils using more dots. make sure the superglue is very little, because when dry, it can become hard, and excess can cause light scratches. Take a block type eraser as well, small, about 1/4 inch, and cut a piece of sand paper and afffix it as mentioned previously. These are your sanding tools.
8)Sand the putty down using the sanding tools you've made. Be careful not to sand further than just the area needed. If you were clean and accurate in your application of putty, this shouldn't be a problem.
9)Between sanding, wipe the area with a clean cloth, and "feel" to make sure it is smooth.
10)Fine tune the sanding using the pencil eraser tools and some water. Take a spray bottle, fill it with water, and spray it liberally on pencil sandpaper dot and hole area. wet sand, very gently. Carefully sand a little bit down, i.e. not flush with bumper, it should be very slightly inverted.
11) let dry, then clean wipe area with alcohol. Make sure no loose sediments are there.
12) Take a piece of tape, i used scotch, but painters tape would be better probably, and punch a hole using the hole punch. run a pen or pencil tip through this to enlargen the hole, the circumference should be the same as the hole that has putty. place a strip of this "holed" tape over the area, and apply touchup paint with a fine artist's brush or toothpick. Apply in small quantities. Make sure you coat entire area to cover up any putty. Let dry. Apply another coat. Let dry.
13)Remove tape after, and wet sand area again using pencils. Be very gentle and use consistent, flat pressure. Let dry.
14)You will see "white" hazing around the area you sanded.
15)Use a polish, I used Meguiar's body scrub and rubbed it in well, this brought it back to its natural shine. Apply wax if you wish.
Done. Looks a lot better than plugs, and a good learning experience as this is similar to how you'd handle rock chips (sans putty).
#25
11-07-2006, 05:46 PM
Originally Posted by canuck
But if you were the owner of the dealership and it was the law to put them on, what would you do? I know I wouldn't risk my business over that.
I'll take risk and pay, if necessary, any fine if I get caught. It's my problem, not dealer's. BTW I never been ticketed before for that.
I think it't total BS for them to claim they HAD TO drill them because it's the law. No dealers I've been to (BMW, Mercedes or Porsche) mention anything about that and they all said they can deliver the car without the holes.
I bet some drill-triger-happy dude in this dealer decided to put them on and the sales guy are making up some excuse. When I went to my local Infiniti dealer, no car had front plate, period.
Even if the car already has the front license holder drilled, it is ultimately up to the owner to decide whether or not to put it on.
The fine for missing front plate is less than $100 anyway and it's non-moving violation that never get reported to your insurance.
#26
11-07-2006, 05:47 PM
#27
11-07-2006, 05:52 PM
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
OT: but here ya go..
Ok....not likely your COT, but....
FWIW, here's a DIY for the more adventurous, that I came across....
Ok....not likely your COT, but....
FWIW, here's a DIY for the more adventurous, that I came across....
The response from Bumperplugs.com:
We do not have a sample of this color yet....if you do have a sample, please send it with a copy of this email. Thanks. Once we have it, we can either find the in stock match for it, or notify you of a custom order possibility.
#28
11-07-2006, 06:02 PM
Originally Posted by luxman
I have never put front plate on my cars before and I never heard anything about dealer puting them on mandatory prior to sale.
I'll take risk and pay, if necessary, any fine if I get caught. It's my problem, not dealer's. BTW I never been ticketed before for that.
I think it't total BS for them to claim they HAD TO drill them because it's the law. No dealers I've been to (BMW, Mercedes or Porsche) mention anything about that and they all said they can deliver the car without the holes.
I bet some drill-triger-happy dude in this dealer decided to put them on and the sales guy are making up some excuse. When I went to my local Infiniti dealer, no car had front plate, period.
Even if the car already has the front license holder drilled, it is ultimately up to the owner to decide whether or not to put it on.
The fine for missing front plate is less than $100 anyway and it's non-moving violation that never get reported to your insurance.
I'll take risk and pay, if necessary, any fine if I get caught. It's my problem, not dealer's. BTW I never been ticketed before for that.
I think it't total BS for them to claim they HAD TO drill them because it's the law. No dealers I've been to (BMW, Mercedes or Porsche) mention anything about that and they all said they can deliver the car without the holes.
I bet some drill-triger-happy dude in this dealer decided to put them on and the sales guy are making up some excuse. When I went to my local Infiniti dealer, no car had front plate, period.
Even if the car already has the front license holder drilled, it is ultimately up to the owner to decide whether or not to put it on.
The fine for missing front plate is less than $100 anyway and it's non-moving violation that never get reported to your insurance.
I am not saying its right or wrong, and I personally wouldn't sport a front license plate either if I didn't have to. But if you do a search on the web, you'll find that in states where front license plates are required, the brackets need to be installed by the dealers. I will try and find the source where I read that. All I was saying is that if front brackets require installation at the dealer and I owner the dealership I would install them as well.
#30
11-07-2006, 07:36 PM
