SQ5 Mod: Front License Plate Removed & screw holes covered w/ Black out tape
#21
Quick question to OP... Your results look great from the pic so I bought the same tape to try the same. First question, did you fill the screw and center hole with anything to prevent their outline from showing through the tape? Second, a quick test piece of tape seemed to fit the height perfectly for the lower two strips, however the upper strip of the grille seems to be about 1/8" taller than the tape is wide - was yours that way as well? From the pics it looks like it covered perfect but I can't tell. I'm thinking I could double up two staggered layers but not sure how clean it will look with the overlapping seams. The stuff is cheap enough to mess around with so maybe I'll just try that. Anyway, thanks for the great idea!
I have an SQ5, so not sure how the grille is different than the other models. I saw a few pictures of a regular SQ5 grille and it definitely looked different. Not sure if it was a year thing, a trim level thing or both.
#22
The tape was so cheap, I just decided to wing it late one evening. I probably should have waited for better lighting and taken my time but I was just sick of looking at those holes. I used an xacto knife to trim the 4 screw holes flush but that was all the prep I did (along with a good thorough cleaning). Someone mentioned filling the holes with some epoxy which is probably the "right" way to do it, but like I said, I was just interested in covering them up short term until I could take the time to do it right. Surprisingly, the holes, even the large center one are barely noticeable even without any filling. The worst/tricky parts are the ends. Cutting the various tapers just right is tough and mine is far from my best work, though from more than a few feet away, you can't tell the difference, nor can people who don't know what they're looking at or for. I did use 2 overlapping layers for the top row, again, not nearly as noticeable as I feared. In the coming months, I'll probably buy another roll and try to neaten it up, but for now, it's a huge improvement over looking at those holes every time I walk up to the car.
As for models, mine is an SQ5 as well, in fact, I think this only applies to the SQ5 grille since the regular Q5 has vertical ribs and a different plate attach cover.
As for models, mine is an SQ5 as well, in fact, I think this only applies to the SQ5 grille since the regular Q5 has vertical ribs and a different plate attach cover.
#23
Here in California, dealers are required to sell the car with a front license plate holder.
I wanted to remove the front license plate holder and came across a post that outlined how to cover the screw holes with black out tape. Here are my before and after pictures.
There were 4 screws holding the license plate bracket to the grill, and a center nipple that I had to shave down with a razor.
It was a quick 20 minute mod, and the Black out tape was the exact size needed to cover the whole area. I had my local auto parts store order this black out tape since it was not in stock.
I put the black out tape on three rows, it changes the plastic color from charcoal gray to black, but it still looks 100% factory...
I wanted to remove the front license plate holder and came across a post that outlined how to cover the screw holes with black out tape. Here are my before and after pictures.
There were 4 screws holding the license plate bracket to the grill, and a center nipple that I had to shave down with a razor.
It was a quick 20 minute mod, and the Black out tape was the exact size needed to cover the whole area. I had my local auto parts store order this black out tape since it was not in stock.
I put the black out tape on three rows, it changes the plastic color from charcoal gray to black, but it still looks 100% factory...
#24
How is this holding up? I picked up my 2015 SQ5 last night and was pretty disappointed to find the license plate holder attached - especially since it's not required here in PA. They're telling me it'll cost $1k to replace the grille... You'd think after my husband and I bought an S6 and SQ5 on the same day they'd help a girl out.
#25
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Mine is actually holding up well.... I have 23k miles on the car in the year I've owned it, and the grill looks great.
I did have a rock or something sratch a small section, but I just took about 2" of the tape to go over it.
I'll take some pics and post what it looks like. But if you have the same situation, it's easy to do, and a year later, mine looks the same.
I did have a rock or something sratch a small section, but I just took about 2" of the tape to go over it.
I'll take some pics and post what it looks like. But if you have the same situation, it's easy to do, and a year later, mine looks the same.
#27
Sorry to revive a thread that it has been dormant for a while
I am about to purchase an SQ5 for my wife and I have two options, one of them comes with black optics package.
I hate the front plate, I don't have it in any of my cars and I have never had a problem (yet)
I am confused because I have read the grille is different between the one with the front license holder vs the one with no license plate holder?
(Somebody posted here the dealer quoted 1,000 to replace the grille)
Is that true? Or the license plate holder is just attached (drilled) to the same type of grille?
In eBay you can find "fillers" that seems to replace the license plate holder, but if I pick the black optics car the color will be different?
Please help me understand how this license plate and grille works
Thanks
I am about to purchase an SQ5 for my wife and I have two options, one of them comes with black optics package.
I hate the front plate, I don't have it in any of my cars and I have never had a problem (yet)
I am confused because I have read the grille is different between the one with the front license holder vs the one with no license plate holder?
(Somebody posted here the dealer quoted 1,000 to replace the grille)
Is that true? Or the license plate holder is just attached (drilled) to the same type of grille?
In eBay you can find "fillers" that seems to replace the license plate holder, but if I pick the black optics car the color will be different?
Please help me understand how this license plate and grille works
Thanks
#28
The SQ5 grill does not have a filler piece that can be swapped like the other Q5 iterations. You can remove the license plate bracket/mount but will be left with holes. Once the holes are drilled it's done. If you want no holes you have to replace the grill which requires removing the front fascia. The grill itself is $600 and the rest is likely labor and markup. That's why the tape route is the best next option people are using to cover the holes. I assume the HGB is the same scenario.
You may be able to find one with no plate mount but here in California they are rare or do not exist as CA requires a front plate so that is how they are ordered by the dealer. Another Option is to order it with no plate mount and wait 90 days for it, like me.
You may be able to find one with no plate mount but here in California they are rare or do not exist as CA requires a front plate so that is how they are ordered by the dealer. Another Option is to order it with no plate mount and wait 90 days for it, like me.
Last edited by masemoto; 01-14-2015 at 09:38 AM.
#29
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Here in California, dealers are required to sell the car with a front license plate holder.
I wanted to remove the front license plate holder and came across a post that outlined how to cover the screw holes with black out tape. Here are my before and after pictures.
There were 4 screws holding the license plate bracket to the grill, and a center nipple that I had to shave down with a razor.
It was a quick 20 minute mod, and the Black out tape was the exact size needed to cover the whole area. I had my local auto parts store order this black out tape since it was not in stock.
I put the black out tape on three rows, it changes the plastic color from charcoal gray to black, but it still looks 100% factory...
I wanted to remove the front license plate holder and came across a post that outlined how to cover the screw holes with black out tape. Here are my before and after pictures.
There were 4 screws holding the license plate bracket to the grill, and a center nipple that I had to shave down with a razor.
It was a quick 20 minute mod, and the Black out tape was the exact size needed to cover the whole area. I had my local auto parts store order this black out tape since it was not in stock.
I put the black out tape on three rows, it changes the plastic color from charcoal gray to black, but it still looks 100% factory...
Reason I ask..I have my TDI on order and asked for 'no plate holder' Dealer said the plate holder isn't just the small plate sized part but the whole thing...About a $300 part.
Just got a message from dealer..said I am getting both..no extra charge..
maybe the SQ and the Q have a different design to hold the plate?
#30
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What is the difference between the part 'with plate holder' and 'without plate holder'? I assumed it was just the part that the plate screws to (standard US plate size part- the part that appears the OP removed). The part that remains, that filled the three holes and taped over isn't the 'plate holder'
Reason I ask..I have my TDI on order and asked for 'no plate holder' Dealer said the plate holder isn't just the small plate sized part but the whole thing...About a $300 part.
Just got a message from dealer..said I am getting both..no extra charge..
maybe the SQ and the Q have a different design to hold the plate?
Reason I ask..I have my TDI on order and asked for 'no plate holder' Dealer said the plate holder isn't just the small plate sized part but the whole thing...About a $300 part.
Just got a message from dealer..said I am getting both..no extra charge..
maybe the SQ and the Q have a different design to hold the plate?
For the normal Q5, the grille has a separate piece that is either a plate holder or a filler, that goes the width of the grille. In this case, swapping from a plate to no-plate configuration won't leave visible screw holes behind.