license plate bracket (border)

[MBG]

Does anybody know on the luxury cars when you purchase them new from the dealer the brackets that go on the rear license plates. They usually have their logo on it and some seem to be made out out some type of metal.

Well.. I would like to make one. Does anybody know of what metal they use. It definitly has to be cheap and shiny. I am doubting it is aluminum or stainless.

Do you think they polish these metal or purchase.

Also the manufacturing of it. Do they mill it out of a solid block of metal or what?

please help.

[JavaDog]

The cheap ones are just plastic, but on higher-ticket cars they are actually Aluminum. They aren't all that thick, maybe 1/8" or 1/4". They should be pretty simple to make, actually...

[Rekd]

You could use Alum and have it chrome or nickel plated.

[MBG]

So aluminum is the metal of choice? Is it a solid block when they start off? Is there any other wya to make it?

[Rekd]

Originally Posted by MBG So aluminum is the metal of choice? Is it a solid block when they start off? Is there any other wya to make it?

Yep, typically metal or plastic. Usually made from sheet stock. You could, however, make it from bar stock and weld/bolt/rivet it together.

[MBG]

Originally Posted by Rekd Yep, typically metal or plastic. Usually made from sheet stock. You could, however, make it from bar stock and weld/bolt/rivet it together.

nah sheet stock would be the best. I know how to do it. I was just asking if there was any short cuts. How do you think they make it? Just machine like 100 of them out of sheet stock?

[MBG]

What about the lettering. I can engrave on my machine but how they get the letters black?

[motomitch1]

I thought they were a chrome plated aluminum die cast part.

[fastolds]

I make my own for cars and bikes. I start with sheet stock, cut it out, powder coat it with a color of choice, then do the engraving so it sticks out better and finally put a coat of clear on it. I would show you the one on my bike but some find it offensive.

[MBG]

Originally Posted by motomitch1 I thought they were a chrome plated aluminum die cast part.

that would probably be the cheepest if they are doing production. Hmmmm.

[MBG]

But , don't when you cast it you get that rough finish? I mean when I seen these before it looked like a machined surface smooth and either put in a vibratory or something. But I guess you could do the same with a cast product also right?

[motomitch1]

Sand casting can be a little ruff

Die casting Die casted parts have smooth surfaces. Production is faster and labor costs per casting are lower.