Two License Plate Upgrades Worth Doing Before Winter

Stock license plate hardware is an afterthought. The screws are cheap steel, there's no frame, and by year three in a real winter climate you're dealing with rust or a plate that's basically welded to your bumper. Two small swaps fix all of that.

The screws

Black stainless over stock steel, every time. Same install, no rust, and they actually look intentional instead of like whatever the factory grabbed off the shelf.

One tip: after you tighten them down, orient the slot vertically so water drains out instead of pooling in the groove. Takes two seconds.

The silicone frame

This is the one I push for anyone dealing with road salt. Silicone keeps the plate off direct metal contact with the bumper — that's where most of the corrosion and scratching starts. It's got drain holes, holds up in the cold, and doesn't crack or fade the way cheap plastic frames do.

If you're in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, anywhere that gets a real winter — just get this one.

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Bonus: if you're somewhere with better weather

Lucky you. If road salt isn't part of your life, a clean collegiate frame is worth a look instead. Blacks out most of the school colors and just reads as a subtle detail rather than a bumper sticker situation. Double-check your state's rules on bottom bar coverage before ordering.