[PSA] (Common knowledge?) Your license plate cover and you.
 

Well, I swapped my dealer plate covers (I got them to take off the stickers from my car; didn't think about the plate cover), and replaced it with one I that my alumni association had sent me. It's been on for maybe a week now, but it had been rattling whenever I shut the trunk, so I decided to examine it. I noticed some pretty deep scratching on the paint both near the top and the bottom of the cover. Suffice to say, I won't be using it much longer. I suppose tape/rubber/etc. could be used to prevent this from happening, whilst keeping the plate; however, I don't want to risk it.

I don't think I've ever had this issue in the past as all of my previous cars had 4 bolts to keep the plate down, and must have stopped it from moving around and causing scratches. Seems like the plate by itself can cause this issue as well.

Something like this seems like it would be a good. But I think the fact that only 2 bolts can be used still remains an issue.

TL;DR
If you're using a license plate cover/your dealer put one on, remove it, or use something to cover it to prevent scratches.

Foam or rubber tape solves the problem

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4914e06b.jpg

I have two issue with the foam:

1) It's going to attract moisture. Moisture is inevitably going to lead to rust.
2) If it goes on the plate instead of the car, it's going to trap dust and other particles, causing scratching anyway.

3M tape on the car might work, but I'm not sure how something like that would work.

My solution that I'm thinking of now would be to get spray-on rubber, and just spray the entire backing of the plate. I feel like no matter what I do I'm going to lose, and just have to deal with the scratches.

I think a new rear plate holder should be something revised in upcoming model years.

Your are correct with moisture

My plate has rubber now. Just posted the foam pic just for reference

I just spotted these at Weather Tech:
http://www.weathertech.com/clearcover/
http://www.weathertech.com/clearframe/
http://www.weathertech.com/assets/1/...nds_Gasket.JPG
Might be worth the $25. It has a rubber gasket on it and it's fairly conservative. It still seems like it may bang around the bottom screws to hold the plate down, but I think I'd trust the rubber to make a good enough seal.

Edit:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autog...rtechchart.gif
Found this illustration; still seems like the metal plate would still cause banging as the rubber isn't between the plate itself and the finish. More research reveals this guy:
Flexy Frame

Says it's for the front bumper, but I'm sure it would work on the rear as well:
http://www.flexyframe.com/images/ins...structions.jpg

Seems ideal.

I use closed cell foam weather stripping, work good, doesn't hold moisture, and I've never had any scratching issues. I think it is FrostKing brand.

I discovered the same problem when I went to put my permanent plate on today, so I ditched the dealer's frame. Since I couldn't find any neoprene washers around, I used rubber hose gaskets to keep the plate off the trunk.

massive THUMB!!!!!! :eyebulge:

I use the same thing on the bottom of the plate. Made up rubber washers from rubber fuel line for the top, just sliced off with utility knife to get the right thickness.

Doesn't retain moisture back there, no rattles and no scratches.

what about using a plastic mounting bracket? It's like a 1/4" thick piece of plastic you put under your plate. It is thick enough to prvent my alumni cover from touching the paint.

Has anyone tried that? I got one from Autozone but my plates haven't arrived yet so I don't know how it will work.

Use a Closed Cell Foam to prevent moisture.