A rubber license plate holder is designed to protect the bumper from accidental scratches that may occur during parking or when someone else carelessly drags you during parking. Although a rubber license plate holder does not provide accident protection, a suitable plate-mounted bumper protector will do a great job for what is designed.
A rubber license plate holder or other bumper protector is almost a necessity in big cities like New York City where real "parking wars" take place every day and night. Street parking in large cities is an exercise in frustration, worthlessness and heartburn. Parking spaces are valuable and motorists often slip into spaces between cars that would probably be difficult for even smaller cars.
A bumper protector can eliminate many of the dings that occur when two cars meet at the license plate. Nobody wins because the back of one car ends up with the bracket plate screws dented into the bumper and the front of the other car ends up with an inclined plate or worse. The rubber bumper protection frames can eliminate most of this damage.
Of course, parallel parking can also cause damage to the sides of the bumpers. A bracket-mounted bumper protector doesn't protect against that type of damage, but for what it's designed, the right model will provide some protection.
What should you look for in a rubber license plate holder? Cut itMost of the bracket-mounted bumper protectors are slightly wider and taller than a standard license frame. The depth or thickness of a license plate holder designed to protect the bumpers, on the other hand, is much greater. Some frames have depths of up to two inches or more of thick rubber material that compresses upon impact and then returns to its original shape.
MaterialYou want a rubber license plate holder to be able to absorb shocks and then return to its original shape to protect against subsequent trauma. Ideally, you want the material to be durable, but also flexible, even in winter cold.
You want to create a bumper protection made of material that is not only shockproof, but also weatherproof and able to withstand rain, snow or any other weather condition that is thrown at you.
Metal license plate brackets are known for losing shine, bending and corrosion. A rubber license plate holder will replace the frame and, if made with the right materials, will not rust or deform.
Most of the rubber mounts are made of foam rubber and can be damaged by themselves. The ultraviolet light on the sign is not a friend of foam rubber or plastic. Make sure that any owner you buy can resist the relentless sun day after day and year after year without compromising their ability.
HardwareEvery vehicle is different. Most come with at least some mounting hardware, but some expect you to use the existing license plate mounting screws. The problem is that the number plate bumper protectors are thick and the existing screws may not be long enough.
Also, keep in mind that most manufacturers expect to fix the bumper protector with four screws. Although most plates and brackets can accommodate four screws, the way they are attached can only use the first two. If the license plate and bracket are only secured with the two upper screws, the attachment will need to be adjusted so that the bumper protector can use all four screw attachments.
Maximum protectionOften when a taller car fits back into your car, it will pass over the license plate bracket and the bumper causing possible significant scratches and other damage. Some models of rubber license plate holders have a protective rubber extension above the support which can help prevent at least part of that damage.
Screw protectionEven when someone else reciprocates you, you are at risk of liability. In the absence of video or photographic evidence, an unscrupulous motorist could blame you for damage to his car. The most common damage is when they hit your car in the area of the front license plate and the bracket and screws cause scratches, dents or even holes in the rear bumper.
To protect against this, most rubber bumper protectors have a screw protection which is an extra layer of protective material around the screw area to prevent the screws from hitting and damaging other vehicle bumpers.
It seemsIt may not be at the top of your mind, but these bumper protectors are thick and will change the appearance of your car's frontend. Not all designs will complement your vehicle. Look at the various designs available and, all things being equal, choose one that doesn't look too horrible.
If you live in a big city and park on the street, your car is at risk due to indifferent drivers who try to wedge their cars into that little space in front of your car and cause damage.
You may need to do the same thing and if you don't have protection, you can damage both the car and the car in front. A rubber license plate holder and bumper protector are designed to protect you from dents, scratches and low impact scratches.
