Kelleytoons Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Okay, so color me stupid, but until today I was sure I needed a plate holder for my back license plate, both for looks as well as security. Luckily I didn't order the one I had in my wish list on Amazon, because when I put on my personalized plate today I realized the C-Max, like my Durango, is actually *designed* not to have a plate holder (it has these nice rubberized "feet" that come through on the bottom plate holes and would *not* be applicable to putting a plate holder on anyway). I've always kind of hated plate holders but in Nevada, where a front plate is required, they were a necessary evil. But the look of the car without them is SO much nicer and cleaner I'm really glad Ford designed it this way (and perhaps that's the way it's always been on cars and I've just never noticed it because I always had them on both front and back and assumed I needed them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 If "plate holder" means frame, I have one on my rear plate. I never bothered to check under it to see if the C-MAX has something under it. Any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Here are two pics of the plate without a frame, and a closeup of the little rubber thing on one side: After looking at these images I've decided the only thing I need are some black screws for the top, to match (kind of anal but I think it will look better that way). I suspect I can find these at my local auto store. ScubaDadMiami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsHugs Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Well, color me the same, Mike, because today I tried to put my plate on the back using the black holder that came with the car, which has those black-headed screws you want. It finally dawned on me the holder is shaped to fit the front grill, but I don't need one there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 I hate to buy a plate holder just to get those screws, but I can't find them anywhere else (at least so far -- I need to check Lowe's, maybe even today). The two hardware stores I went to said "Just paint the screws black" but that seems like an awful lot of trouble for something I *ought* to be able to buy for less than a dollar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelM Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Black screws at Auto Zone. Should be at any auto parts store should also be available in Nylon type. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Dorman-License-plate-screw/_/N-25q1?itemIdentifier=464528_0_0_ http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Bell-Black-nylon-license-plate-fasteners/_/N-25q1?itemIdentifier=562425&_requestid=626913 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Well, the second link is for bolts, not screws (and thus won't work on our C-Max's). And the first one is a special order item, not carried in the stores (and, yes, I looked at both Autozone and other auto parts stores). And for that price ($11) I could get a plate holder AND the screws (which themselves should cost less than $1). Now, you get 25 in that pack, which is why it's ridiculously expensive. I only need two (if I had 11 other friends we could go in on it, but...) I'll try Lowes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsHugs Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 (edited) Mike ~ I looked at your photo again & frankly, the silvery-grey screws look good. I wouldn't change them since they're a good match with the Ice Storm color as well as hidden under the overhanging piece with Ford's blue oval. JusMHO ;) Edited September 13, 2014 by MomsHugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Well, I understand that point and do appreciate the feedback, Eve. However, I don't have much (any?) chrome trim on the car (we don't have that package and I kind of hate chrome trim so I'm glad we don't) and I do think having black screws there would be much better. It sounds like I'm anal and I'm really not, but it just kind of irks me that I can't easily solve this problem, so I'll probably continue to hammer away at it (not obsessively, mind you, but just something to do when I'm out and about). Plus... it gives me another excuse to drive Maximis (to the parts stores :>). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Your easiest bet (without being wasteful) is probably just to do the black paint option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelM Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 (edited) Well, the second link is for bolts, not screws (and thus won't work on our C-Max's). And the first one is a special order item, not carried in the stores (and, yes, I looked at both Autozone and other auto parts stores). And for that price ($11) I could get a plate holder AND the screws (which themselves should cost less than $1). Now, you get 25 in that pack, which is why it's ridiculously expensive. I only need two (if I had 11 other friends we could go in on it, but...) I'll try Lowes. They'll probably have something like that there. Possibly even your dealer may have some left over from one of the front plate kits. Edited September 13, 2014 by MichaelM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 I did see that Lowe's lists them online as being available in store, so I'll just drop by tomorrow and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torchredzo6 Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Painting a couple of screws black isn't much of a big deal. Not the worst idea to have a can of black spray paint in the garage aresnal for miscellaneous projects anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted April 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Actually, I eventually found them at an auto parts store (I believe it was the Auto Zone but it was so long ago I don't remember). Four came in the package, for a few dollars, and they were a perfect fit and match and all was then fine (I haven't thought about it for months now until you posted in this old thread). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwil56 Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 (edited) I have chrome plate holders in the back and the front because it dresses it up a bit. I took the nubs out because of the plate holder, but it rattled, so I re-installed them so the plate rests on the rubber nubs and that stopped the rattling. Regarding screws, I live in MN, the Land of Lakes and salt, so I installed stainless steel screws front and back to avoid the eventual rust streaks when the galvanization wears off. Edited April 26, 2015 by timwil56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwallRick Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 I agree, a little extra bling add's a nice touch! It goes well with the rear badging! :rockon: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted April 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Whereas the all black goes with my Apple watch <bg>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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