Flexyframe License Plate Cover (save yourself from scratches).
 

So I had some concerns after removing my dealer license plate covers, I noticed some scratches; thought I could cover it up with a larger one, but that rattled, and after closing the trunk it just lead to more scratching. Due to only having 2 bolts to hold the plate cover, I found that it makes it night impossible to leave your plate on there without this inevitable damage. You might think it's OCD, but over time your car might end up like this:
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/...er_47/car1.jpg

So I sought out an alternative to padding/weather stripping your plate/car, and I found the Flexyframe. It's actually designed for front bumpers, but I found that it had all the properties I was looking for:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/g3hdq2sj7pe...2012.36.58.jpg
Yes, I rep the U, but the gift from the alumni association was leading to more scratches then FSU, and UF fans combined.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/qrfn609t0yc...2012.38.00.jpg
I removed the plate, I literally washed the car the day before, but you can still see all of the dirt trapped behind the plate. Look up top and you can see some of the deep scratching caused by the frame.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/t9ju05xxmu9...2012.38.08.jpg
More pictures of the scratches.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/vtgr4vo6koy...2012.38.12.jpg
And scratches caused by the bottom.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7loxna91i6x...2012.40.55.jpg
I didn't feel like washing the car again, so I used the exterior detailer that came with my car. If you have a spray wax/quick detailer, either of those will work with a microfiber cloth.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/aagzcxayvi1...2012.41.52.jpg
Nice and clean now.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/n1gu1ofavyq...2012.41.45.jpg
You can barely see the scratches on the top, pretty decent product.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/9fd8hmgxb1b...2012.42.00.jpg
The bottom scratches are still pretty bad. I wish they had put bottom plate screws on the car.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/o58wadx367z...2012.42.31.jpg
And here's what's going to save my paint back there for now.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/iwpabta03bq...2012.44.23.jpg
And there's where the plate is going to be covered from the finish on the car. Very different than any other plate covers I've seen.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/uuj0kp31yr4...2012.47.18.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/sa8fkf46dtj...2012.49.27.jpg
Doesn't look very thick once it's actually on the car.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/84lda1b8ho5...2012.47.33.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/x96gefm0gt5...2012.49.42.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/5ezywlzt0a4...2013.01.50.jpg
Then again, it is 1" thick.

Bought the cover from here: Flexyframe

$20 for my OCD piece of mind was fine for me. I know it's probably photo overkill, but I'm off this fine, sunny ,Monday afternoon, so I thought I would do something productive.

Can't see your photos, as I block Dropbox on my network at work, but I tried a couple different license plate frames and didn't like any of them. I ended up grabbing some adhesive backed foam tape and putting around the back side of my rear plate.
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawe...oundedSize=310

I used adhesive backed tape as well.

I put a lot of electrical tape on my license plate. No scratches or anything yet.

Put foam tape on top of the thin foam tape that is already on the car. You want the rubbing and wear to be on your license plate not the paint on your car. Also the thin Subaru OEM plate frame has spacers that keep the plate away from the paint. The frame keeps the plate straight so it can't touch the paint.

I have the Subaru one, the spacers were a nice surprise.

I went to a craft store and got a sheet of adhesive backed thin foam. Cut it to fit the plate and it rattles no more.

Hmm, something tells me that double stick velcro might also be a good option...