For those that are not aware, in NC a new law was passed Dec. 1 of 2009 pertaining to the visibility of North Carolina across the bottom of the tag and the expiration stickers in the top corners must be visible and not covered up by the license plate frame. Now as of Dec. 1 2010, there is a $100 fine for doing so and we all know how cops love to ding us for everything possible when they get us pulled over...

I myself did not want to purchase a new Z license plate frame bc I really liked mine and think its the best looking one out there. Not to mention most plate frames out there cover the lower portion of the tag. So I decided to modify my genuine Z plate frame instead of taking it off or buying one that looks cheap. So I decided to flip mine over. Here’s what I did...took about thirty minutes...

Tools Needed:
Screw Driver to remove frame from car (obviously)
Pocket torch (one that you would use to shrink heat shrink tubing)
Glove to hold plate frame when hot
Exacto knife or razor blade
Glue
Hammer
Punch
Drill & bit
Marker

Steps:
1. Remove tag and frame from car.
2. Take pocket torch and begin heating behind the Z logo in the frame. I worked slowly from one side to the other. (Be sure to wear a glove to hold the frame, it gets hot)
3. As the logo becomes hot the adhesive behind it will begin to release. As it does, start sliding the exacto knife or razor blade behind the logo. The logo is thin metal so do not bend it and slowly work the logo from the frame.
4. Once you have heated and removed the logo clean the glue from the frame and the backside of the logo.
5. Now take a close look at the Z logo. There is a upside and downside to the Z, make sure you flip it over.
6. Now, re-glue the logo to the frame with glue. I used super glue for metal to metal surfaces. (make sure you have the Z logo turned the correct way)
7. Once you have flipped the logo and glued it in place it is time to drill two holes to mount the frame from the top.
8. I used a sharpie and my license plate as a template. Align the license plate so that all four holes will line up with the existing two holes on the frame and the new holes you are going to drill (its easier to do this from the backside of the frame). Once you are happy with the alignment of your plate mark your two new holes with a Sharpie.
9. I used a small center punch and hammer to mark my centers on the holes and to keep my drill bit from walking on me.
10. I marked/punched my holes on the backside of the frame and drilled from the backside as well.
11. Once your holes are drilled you now have a LEGAL license plate frame and no one will ever know that it was once upside down.
12. You can also use plastic bolt covers to cover the voids on the lower two frame holes bc our cars only have mounts on the upper two holes. Which is what I'm going to do once I find short enough bolts and half washers and get bolt covers.

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Nice! Way to stay one step ahead of em ;]

 

OK but this is appropriate for NC residents not the general membership.

 

Thought it may be feasible to other states that share the same law and for members that have the same tag holder...

 

applies here to Arizona. nice write up btw.

 

GA too from what I understand.

 

never at a loss for something to ***** about huh dave