Bumper Bar

26 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 30 Nov 2010, 8:44 pm

#814985

Hi all,

Have to drill holes in my front bar to fit the number plate will a standard drill bit do the job and will tnis cause the chrome plating surrounding the new hole to flake off or be damaged? What the best way to do this?.Thank you

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Nov 2010, 9:59 pm

#815005

rabidbeetle wrote:Hi all,

Have to drill holes in my front bar to fit the number plate will a standard drill bit do the job and will this cause the chrome plating surrounding the new hole to flake off or be damaged?

What the best way to do this?.

Thank you

it depends on the chrome...

the original thick VW bumpers are fairly hard to drill...

use a small drill bit first 3 or 4mm then use a 6mm and once the hole is drilled move the drill around so the hole will be slightly larger so a 6mm screw or bolt will fit...

I've never drilled a brasillian or mexican bumper so I don't know what they are like...

I know they are much thinner than the German made bumpers.. and much weaker...

stainless steel screws and washers should stop the chrome from lifting if it looks like it might...

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

jeremyluke Seriously Crusin Dubber

126 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 30 Nov 2010, 11:16 pm

#815017

If there are holes in the bumper and they just dont line up with the number plate, drill holes in the number plate, thats what i did with mine... Im sure its legal haha

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Nov 2010, 11:29 pm

#815018

rabidbeetle wrote:Hi all,

Have to drill holes in my front bar to fit the number plate will a standard drill bit do the job and will tnis cause the chrome plating surrounding the new hole to flake off or be damaged? What the best way to do this?.
Thank you

Hi Pete,

i WAS ALSO JUST THINKING...

Easy to redrill the holes in the number plate

I see many holes in number plates all the time...

New Japanese cars come out with screws in place for Japanese bumpers.. and these do NOT line up with the holes in Australian number plates...
so they are all redrilled....

LEE

PS: there is a local falcon with the 5 digit number plates and on the boot... they have used one of the Falcon holes...
and redrilled another hole..
so, the number plate is NOT in the middle.... lol
YIKES...... Lee

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Dec 2010, 5:53 am

#815028

make a bracket of the inside maount bolts so you sont have to drill the bar

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 1 Dec 2010, 6:29 am

#815029

A small tip....when drilling stainless steel, DO NOT use a centre-punch to mark the hole. It work-hardens the stainless, and can ruin a good drill bit.

I agree with Dave, don't drill holes in the bar if you can use existing mount-points.

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 1 Dec 2010, 9:29 am

#815050

As long as the bit is sharp and not a 10c one from crazy clarks it will drill through them fine,

I've put heaps of holes through my german bumpers over the years mounting spoilers, foglights, phone aerials etc, they're not made of titanium.

It does pay to hit them with some protective paint though as the metal will rust quick

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Dec 2010, 11:11 am

#815073

Hi

I didn't know that..

but don't come across stainless steel much...

and the cheap drill bits are rubbish....
they even bend when drilling soft wood... lol
they can go 90 degrees without breaking... ??

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 1 Dec 2010, 11:25 am

#815074

There was a bug at run to the sun with the front numberplate cable tied to the bumper......classy.

European cars are the worst for fitting aussie plates to, cos they're designed for the large europlates so the holes rarely line up.

What model car are we talking here anyway?

with late model bumpers I put the holes in the strip where the tape goes, you can always cover it up with tape if you change plates.