The 3rd/bottom hole does not have a factory guide dimple
Align and hold the frame to the car in line with the 2 dimples to use it as a template for bottom hole during installation
Find the plastic Pop Rivets that came with the frame. Push them through the frame and into the bumper
Slide the Rivet Gun over the part sticking out, and squeeze. This will compress the anchor back against the bumper. Release and squeeze again. You should hear a loud CLICK and the rod should come off (*See Notes for a look into how it works)
NOTE: You might have to squeeze a few times, making sure the gun is seated all the way against the frame. If it fails (the rod breaks off, but the rivet does not hold) push it out and try with the other rivet. In case this happens, and you don’t have a spare, make sure to do the top 2 holes first because the frame will hold fine with just two attachments.See Notes section for more information on the hardware
Slide the plate into the bracket, secure with screws
DONE!
Process: No-Drill
Pros: Removable, no holes drilled into bumper, no mar after removal
Cons: Not 100% secure, chance of losing plate and frame
WARNING: My first attempt at this failed after a month. At the time, it was installed in the cold winter weather, and I did not employ the use of an adhesion promoter/sandpaper. This is written with the revisions in place. *See NOTES section for my updates regarding success/failure
Make sure your license plate frame has enough surface contact areas to adhere it well to the car with 3M tape
This is the vehicle’s original plate frame
Go out to your car and dry-fit the frame according to the factory dimpling on the bumper
Using painter’s tape, mark out borders to help with aligning (Recommend using strips that attach to both the frame and the car for easiest aligning)
Install license plate to frame (Can do this as the last step, if you prefer)
The OEM hardware will not scratch the car, stopping short of the end of the holes
With 180-320 grit Sandpaper, use circular motions to rough up the surfaces where the tape will attach
Soak either a cotton pad or cotton ball with Rubbing Alcohol (higher percent will dry faster) or use alcohol wipes
Wipe down surfaces with the alcohol and wait for them to dry all the way
Open the Adhesion Promoter packet (I’d recommend gloves here) and wipe each contact point with a thin layer
Allow to dry (90-120 seconds)
Measure out and cut the VHB 3M Tape to the size you need for your plate
Apply the sticky side to the plate, leaving the other side of the tape (the one that will contact the car) still covered
NOTE: 3M’s instruction for this tape recommends heating up with a hair dryer if using in the winter. This tape is also moveable until compressed and moving it should not affect adhesion properties. Viscosity reaches maximum increase by 72 hours.
Recommended: partially remove the liners in the house before going outside. It can adhere tightly, so you may need to use tweezers if your nails aren’t able to get a good hold
Go out to your car
Dry fit the frame again, if you’d like
Use Rubbing Alcohol to wipe clean the install area of the car, making sure all foreign debris is removed (otherwise the tape will adhere to the debris instead of the car)
Wait until it it has evaporated
Peel off the liners from the mounting tape
Align with the painter’s tape
Press
Keep pressing with decent pressure for at least a minute (I did around 2-3 minutes. It was easiest with my feet while I messed around on a phone for a bit)
Remove the painter’s tape
I tugged and wiggled it. Firm and strong hold!
Done!
Notes
Update 2/27/25 (10 days later): Still holding strong and no problems! Been on the highway, through work zones, lots of potholes, speed bumps, took turns too quickly, and plenty of stop and go traffic. So far, so good.
Update 3/25/25 (1 month): FAILURE!! Went to walk the dog and found the license plate frame on the ground! Good thing it was at home. I’ve decided to leave the instructions and post, up, though, because I still think it’s doable with some revisions.
It’s important to note that all the 3M tape was still adhered well to the car. In fact, they were difficult to remove. Removal left a clean, unmarred surface — exactly the point of adhering as opposed to poking holes. This means that the failure point was on the side of the bracket, and not the tape or the car portion. I wonder if it was because the weather started to change. I installed it in the cold winter, and it fell off when the days warmed up and overnight.
Update 3/30/25: Compromise. While I did not want to risk the plate falling off again (what if it happens while on the road?) I still think that it’s possible to adhere with 3M tape without drilling. So, what I did this time was use the drill method for the top two holes and applied the revision process (adhesion promoter and sandpaper) for the lower hole. That way, I have it secure AND I didn’t drill into non-dimpled bumper. I will monitor and continue observing the bond of the lower portion of the frame at regular intervals to see if it holds up
Update 8/24/25: With the physical attachments, my bracket has not fallen off, of course. I went to try and tug on the bottom part of the frame where there is just the adhesion, and while it didn’t move much, I can’t really get a good read because of the hardware on the upper portion. At this point, I’m going to say that I do NOT recommend the No-Drill method, but you are welcome to try! If you do, comment and let me know if it works for you!
If you look at the wording on the back of the plate frame, you see the letters “PP+EPDM.” These stand for PolyPropylene (PP), plastic, and ethylene-propylene-diene monomers (EPDM), a synthetic rubber.
Hardware Information
Container License Plate Hardware
BB53-17A386-AA
Ford
1/4″ thickness in hole
1/4″ thickness screws
Plastic Pop Rivet – How it Works
Start
Top View
Bottom View
For fun, I tried it with double thickness to see what would happen. The first attempt failed, highlighting that if the ridged portion does not grab, then it will not stay in place and become loose. The second attempt succeeded but was extremely difficult to squeeze.
You can see how there’s more of the ridged part on the single thickness before it cut off
From contact to end, my experience with poison ivy (first time!) was both typical and atypical with both “normal” and “abnormal” lesions associated with it. I have history of skeeter syndrome and many other sensitivities so it does not come as any surprise that I would have a stronger/complex reaction than most people would. This is a chronicle with images and thoughts of my experience with the Toxicohedron family of plant’s irritating oil, urushiol.
Timeline
CONTACT: Sunday, May 26, 2024 – Contact – Small red dots with blackish brown smear like a burn on left underside of arm, fully asymptomatic, flat. Immediate issue are 3 bug bites
Day 1-2; Monday, May 27-28 – Bug Bites Worsening – 27th was Memorial Day. Pushed through work on 28th but suffered all-consuming discomfort from severely inflamed and spreading bug bites. Probable fever. By the end of the day on 28th, noticing a change in primary poison ivy lesion: growing more erythemic, raised, skin stretching like a burn, growing more sensitive to palpation
Day 3: Wednesday, May 29 – Manifested and Symptomatic – Absent from work. Placed on Medrol dose pack (methylprednisolone steroid), for 3 bad skeeter syndrome welts on both forearms
Day 4-8: Thursday, May 30 – June 3 – Bites Resolve, Poison Ivy Progresses Rapidly – As the bites diminish quickly in response to steroids, itchy, red dots and spots pop up and spread increasingly alongside tapering medication. 2 new Minor blistering Areas pop up on outside of right arm. All other lesions, while red and blistery seem normal for poison ivy. All areas weep constantly. Many bandaids
Day 9: Tuesday, June 4 – Severe Reaction Detected – As soon as the steroid stopped, the poison ivy was loosed and exponentially spread. Blistering is severe on primary lesion. Erythema spreads, turning deep red and increasingly bumpy. Suspect entire erythemic area will blister soon. 2 Minor Areas form large blisters overnight. Dog starts to notice inflammation. No interest before. Last Medrol pill taken night prior. Suspect repeat contact from improperly washed surfaces and clothing. Commence deep clean of bedding, blankets, car, tools, etc. Itching is unbearable and throwing hive/eczema spots all over body, especially around stomach area, that are far itchier than poison ivy lesions. Systemic.
Day 10: Wednesday, June 5 – Medical Help – Exactly 1 week later returned to PCP for poison ivy lesions this time, specifically the primary lesion. Doctor and assistant reel from severe Primary Lesion. Doctor thinks this is now cellulitis, too. New steroids prescribed, Prednisone tapering for 2 weeks, and 30 count cephalexin antibiotics. Went to work right after, unable to pick up medication until afterwards. By the time I left work, my left arm (Primary Lesion) was unusable. Difficult to make a fist or hold objects. Drove with one hand which was also starting to hurt from inflammation. Felt like someone had a vise on the arm tight. Worthy of note: apart from the local severe Primary Lesion infection, woke up in the morning feeling like a corner had been turned as a whole.
Day 11: Thursday, June 6 – Relief – Immediate response to strong steroid dose. Although blistering and erythema is worse on all lesions, everything feels better. Still itchy, still weeping, and still blistery. Able to bend and twist arm and make a fist. Still a little tight. Spirits are better as co-workers noted. Steroids don’t seem to help with hive/eczema spots which continue to crop up all over. Photo and heat sensitivity on skin very prominent
Day 12: Friday, June 7 – Pain and Progress – Primary Lesion’s blistered converged. During the course of the day, enter intense, searing, nerve-like pain every few hours. Started wondering if this is like shingles. After work and removal of bandages, noticed that Primary Lesion’s blistering is now a crater. Realized that intense pain is likely drainage and healing of the area
Day 13-15: Saturday, June 8 – Monday, June 10 – Intial Healing – Intense pain comes and goes. Noticeable on bigger of 2 Minor Lesions. Erythema has somewhat faded, though still present throughout. Blistering has noticeably stalled on all lesions. All eczema/hive lesions are crazy itchy while poison ivy lesions no longer itch or even hurt except Primary Lesion upon palpation or pressure. Many nighttime bathroom awakenings. Tapering of prednisone started. Hive/eczema lesions so itchy, starting to wonder if allergic to cephalexin. Primary Lesion begins to harden, crater and exhibit incredible, intense, sharp pains every few hours. Attributed to draining and internal healing. Most lesions’ itchiness has lowered in intensity, though hive lesions continue to pop up as prednisone tapers. Scratched a smaller hive and created bruising
Day 16-17: Tuesday, June 11-12 – Healing and New Hives – Growing depressed. This has been going on for a long time and starting to mentally feel unwell. Cratering has increased in Primary Lesion while blistering subsides and skin begins to peel. Minor Lesions are weeping blisters, but a hole forms in one which starts to harden and scab. No craters like Primary Lesion. “Normal” lesions fade in color and weep minorly. Right Elbow Patch starts to fade in color, still itchy. Left bicep area grows itchier and forms new patches. Belly Lesion darkens, but begins to grow in size. New problem: Upper Belly forms new red dots that are very itchy. Very photosensitive on all skin
Day 18: Thursday, June 13 – Scab Cracking – Excitement! Morning shows a crack halfway through Primary Lesions’ scab. Throughout the day pieces break off. Itchy in a scab way. By the end of the day, much has fallen off, showing new skin underneath! Erythema lessens on all initial poison ivy contact lesions. Left Bicep area’s erythema increases along with itchiness. Belly Lesion noticeably grows larger and Upper Belly patches increase in size and itchiness. Sleeping is growing difficult
Day 19-21: June 14-16 – Continued Healing and Increased Hive Activity – All Poison Ivy Lesions continue to heal. Prednisone tapers more and finally rid of cephalexin. Primary Lesions develops redness within the new skin which is worrisome as it’s raised and shaped exactly like the initial contact lesion. Not overly symptomatic, however. Minor Lesions continue to harden and scan with minor cratering. “Normal” Lesions continue to fade in color, have not been a problem. Friday, June 14 is torture at work because I stupidly cut prednisone pill in half, afraid of not having the double dose in the day resulting in major withdrawal symptoms. Unable to stay awake longer than 30 minutes at a time. It’s obvious my body is addicted. All hive lesions continue to worsen except the first Right Elbow lesion. Sleeping is next to impossible except for a few hours at a time. Extremely itchy and uncomfortable around the belly and upper arms. Difficult to concentrate on anything. Decided to start treating hive lesions like eczema condition with heavy lotion use, and not eating anything that could remotely set off allergic reactions. Haven’t slept well in many days. Eyes feel like the desert. NEW PROBLEMS: skeeter syndrome bumps begin to inflame (they do that) and leg hive/eczema lesions flare up. Very itchy
Day 22-26:June 17-21 – Finished Medications and Lessening of all Lesions – Day 24 marked the first day of zero medications, and provided for another day of withdrawal symptoms, though not as bad. Sleeping growing more comfortable. Overall condition is better and able to communicate well with coworkers and patients. Every day itchiness lessens and skin peels all over. Quit having to use heavy duty skin treatments except on leg. More energy and increased desire to accomplish tasks. Less photosensitivity. Stupid skeeter syndrome bumps.
Day 27-28:June 22-23 – Almost Normal – Everything is better. Leg. Belly. Arms. Even skeeter syndrome bumps. Primary Lesion is healing nicely, with a little more ways to go. Minor Lesions are almost fully healed, though still peeling. Forehead has grown a hard little bump, asymptomatic. Elbow and Bicep lesions no longer itch. Belly Lesions only sometimes itch. Leg lesions are getting better. I feel better all around! 1 month mark has been met. Lesions are all sensitive to heat (heatwave right now), but significantly less photosensitive
Pictures!!
*WARNING* Images might be gross to some people
Primary Lesion – Left Forearm Underside
Day 3
Day 6
Started oral methylprednisolone on Day 3 Have treated with 3-4 rounds of Zanfel at this point. Day 6 is larger and raised but contained thanks to the steroid. Note the blistering starting on Day 3 under the dark streaking and growing on Day 6
Day 7 – 7:47 am
Day 8 – 7:36am
Last days of methylprednisolone. Started tracing the outline. Noticeably blistery and raised. Not overly hot yet. Colored rings show the progression of size
Day 9 – 6:26am
Day 9 – 6:44pm
Day 9: 12 hours apart. Growing worse! Blistering and erythema significantly worse. Last pill of tapering methylprednisolone taken night prior on Day 8. VERY uncomfortable. Starting to feel effects on finger joints, much pressure from inflammation on arm
Day 10 – 6:18am
Day 10 – 9:25pm
Doctor Day!Couldn’t come fast enough! Severe inflammation, blistering, erythema, heat, itchiness, pain. Doctor suspects possible cellulitis. Rx prednisone and cephalexin. Unfortunately, could not get medication until after work. So much pressure and inflammation that hand became unusable by the end of the day. Unable to grip objects securely.Notice the dark red coloring, almost purpling
Day 11 – 6:14am
Day 11 – 7:56am
2 views in different light. Looks terrible with much more blistering, but medication started night prior and it felt a ton better. No longer blazing hot, less redness, able to twist, bend, and grip
Day 12 – 6:21am
Day 12 – 8:25am
Blisters have converged into a large one (the whitish pink is calamine lotion that got stuck in the bumps and ridges). Right image is a good view of the skin blistering that continues to spread but much more slowly around the red areas. New symptom: crippling, sharp pain that seemed to pierce the arm’s nerves. Would come on every few hours during the day
Day 13 – 10:40am
Day 14 – 8:43am
It seems that the intense sharp pain has something to do with the cratering that has appeared. Blisters are draining and leaving behind a dark, hard…scab? Noticeable lightening of erythema between two images
Day 15 – 7:27am
Day 16
Cratering is even larger and harder. Signs of skin peeling and scab shedding. Fading blistering
Day 17
Day 18 – 6:21am
Progress! It cracked in half overnight and you can see new skin underneath!
Day 18 – 6:11pm
Day 18 – 9:19pm
Very itchy owing to scab shedding.
Day 19 – 6:16am
Day 19 – 9:49pm
Worrisome progression of the new skin. The red, raised dots on the new skin look exactly like the initial poison ivy contact. Itches to touch, but otherwise not bothersome
Day 20 – 8:42am
Day 21 – 8:05am
Looks kind of bad! However, the redness is dry, not significantly raised and appears to be peeling off slowly. No symptoms to palpation aside from minor sensitivity. VERY photosensitive!
Day 22
Day 23
Day24
Day26
Day 24 is the first day with no medications at all. Redness is fading and peeling, too, thank goodness!
Day 28 (1 month) – 6/23
Day 35 (5 weeks)
Significant improvement by 28-day (1 month) mark! Itchy and dry to the touch. Been applying lotion. 5-week mark shows improvement, but still there and still peeling
Day 42 (6 weeks)
Day 105 (3.5 months)
6 Weeks: Much less photosensitive, but still peeling and rough. What you can’t see is that the entire area that the lesion covered initially continues to be darker in color than the rest of the arm, almost like a port wine stain. 3.5 Months: I actually forgot about it (or blocked it out??).Rarely, it will itch likely from dryness. The skin on my arm is still darker in color than the rest of the skin, but feels smooth to the touch
Other Lesions
Aside from the Forehead one, these all cropped up as soon as the initial Medrol dose pack steroid (methylprednisolone) tapered and finished (last pill was night of Day 8). Prednisone and cephalexin administered night of Day 10
2 Minor Lesions – Right Forearm Outside
Day 7
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14 (2 weeks)
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
First day with zero medications
Day 26
Day 28 (1 month)
Day 42 (6 weeks)
Day105 (3.5 months)
By 3.5 months, I no longer remember that I had it. Scars remain and continue to heal. Completely asymptomatic. Skin will occasionally itch as it sheds and heals
Forehead Lesion – Present Since Contact
Fastest to heal
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 18
Day 21
Day 28 (1 month)
Day 42 (6 weeks)
Day 105 (3.5 months)
3.5 months: This healed the fastest by far. This far out a faint scar remains
“Normal” Lesions
This is what I assume a “normal” reaction to poison ivy would be. You can see the lines where the plants brushed up against the skin. It blistered, it wept, it was itchy, and got red, but it wasn’t excessive. Really, wasn’t all that bad.
Left Forearm Outside
Day 9
Day 10 – 6/5
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13 – 6/8
Day 14 (2 weeks)
Day 15
Day 17 – 6/12
Day 19
Day 21
Day 22
Ignore the 2 red lesions. Those are skeeter syndrome lesions
Day 23
Sorry, my camera focused on my shirt instead of my arm
Day 24
First day with no medications
Day 26
Again, the red lesions are not poison ivy
Day 28 (1 month)
Fading significantly, with a new bug bite farthest south
Day 35 (5 weeks)
Day 42 (6 weeks)
The Poison Ivy lesions have mostly healed. The 2 skeeter bites are healing (ignore those)
Day 105 (3.5 months)
3.5 Months: Scarring still present but continue to heal. Completely asymptomatic. Ignore the 2 skeeter syndrome biteswhich are also healing
Right Forearm Inside
Only ever minorly itchy. Did an experiment where I popped the blisters when they first came up. Don’t do that.
Ignore the red bug bite lesion
Day 21 – 6/21
Day 28 – minor peeling, zero symptoms
Day 105 (3.5 months) – Faint scarring
Hive/Eczema/Rash Lesions
These didn’t act like the poison ivy lesions. They did not produce blisters and they itched 100x worse. The doctor confirmed that it was a systemic response. The big ones got leathery. I treated them like they were eczema lesions and that approach seemed to work. Whatever you do, DO NOT scratch them as they seemed to spread to scratched areas!!! Started wondering if it’s an allergic reaction to the antibiotic…?
Arms
RightElbow – Day 8 Symptom Start
Day 9 – 6/4/24
I made the mistake of scratching when it first popped up. It grew rapidly in response and got even itchier
Then it grew some more trailing lesions
Day 21 – 6/16
Day 28 (1 month) – only occasionally itchy
Mostly healed at this point. Can be itchy if irritated by a sleeve or bending the arm for too long a period of time
Day 42 (6 weeks) – finally starting to peel
Day 105 (3.5 months) – fully asymptomatic
Left Arm
Day 15 – 6/10
Evidence of scratching. Don’t do that
Day 17
Day 18
This is also extremely itchyand possibly a result of me scratching a small red hive. At one point it even spread onto the primary lesion
Day 19
Day 21– 6/16
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
First day with no medications
Day 28 (1 month)
To clarify it’s 1 month since contact
Day42 (6 weeks)
Finally peeling
Day 105 (3.5 months)
Just scarring. No symptoms
Torso – Day 10 Symptom Start
These popped up last and has been the WORST of all the lesions for discomfort/itchiness by far!!
Belly
Day 11 – 6/6/24
Day 15 – 6/10/24
Day 18 – 6/13/24
Day 21 – 6/16/24
Growing significantly larger and spreading to areas previously untouched. You can see the more red areas on the outskirts of the main patch and spreading towards my back. VERY itchy, but growing more painful/stingy too
Day 23 – last day of medications
Day 26
Day 28 – 6/23
Day 35 (5 weeks)
Day 42 (6 weeks) – Now that it’s healing well and only occasionally itchy, you can see the original patch and how big the area got
Day 105 (3.5 months) – Fully asymptomatic, just scarring which is slowly fading
Mid to Upper Belly
Day 16
Day 17 – 6/12
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20 – 6/15
Day 21
Growing noticeably worse as the steroids taper. Supremely itchy… more than the stomach patch
Day 22
Day 23 – 6/18
Day 26
Itching has mostly calmed, but still photosensitive
Day 28 (1 month)
Fading and no longer continually itchy
Day 35 (5 weeks)
Fading, but still photosensitive
Day 42 (6 weeks)
No longer itchy except on occasion
Day 105 (3.5 months)
Fully asymptomatic. Scarring is slowly fading
Leg
Day 21 – 6/16
Started popping up. Image is upside down
Day 22
Day 23
Spreading
Day 24
First day with zero medications
Day 24 – Closeup
Nasty bumpy, and extremely itchy
Day 21
Darkening = less itchy
Day 28 (1 month)
Note: 1 month since initial contact
Day 35 (5 weeks)
Starting to peel, itchy
Day 42 (6 weeks)
Still itchy, but not as much. Still peeling
Day 105 (3.5 months)
Completely asymptomatic aside from occasional itching from healing skin
Second Contact with Prompt Treatment
I got it AGAIN! On July 4, 2024. I had barrier lotion on while doing yardwork and attempting to eradicate it physically but didn’t have face protection and something brushed up against my face. Within 2 hours I had doused my face in 91% isopropyl alcohol, bathed in Dawn dish soap, and scrubbed with Zanfel. I knew it wasn’t a mosquito bite because (unlike the one on my ear) it didn’t itch right away, just started welting up and inflaming, no other symptoms. Because of the quick action, I (think so far) have been able to contain the reaction. It itches and twinges, but so far nothing else. Here are pictures!
Right Cheek
Contact – 8:45 am (2-3 hours)
8:51 am (post-Zanfel)
11:00 am
Starting to raise
Day 1 (7/5)
Day 2
More noticeable!
Day 3
Distinct bumpiness to both lesions
The others didn’t get bad until a week later, so here’s hoping it doesn’t get worse!Day 1 felt the inflammation affect ability to move cheek. The worst itchiness so far has been Day 2. Day 3 has more of an awareness so far
Day 43 (6 weeks)
Day 43: Itches a few times a day, tingling worse than usual within the last 48 hours. Suspect healing.
Recommended Treatment and Info
From Professionals
Homecare for most cases (mild-moderate reactions)
Severe cases (i.e. difficulty breathing or swallowing, facial swellings where eyes shut, worsening itchiness, full body rash, fevers) require IMMEDIATE medical attention
If/when you come in contact with the plants, as soon as possible, clean the affected areas with soap (even laundry detergent) and warm water. You can also use rubbing alcohol or OTC poison ivy washes. The faster you get it off, the less chance there is of strong reaction
Wash ALL affected clothing and gear including shoelaces in the laundry thoroughly in longer cycles. It is recommended to wear gloves to prevent the spread as you remove your clothing.
Use OTC products such as poison ivy washes, calamine lotion, topical antihistamines, oral antihistamines, cool compresses to relieve itchiness
Do NOT scratch and leave blisters alone to prevent infection
Most rashes take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to clear up on their own and can seem to get worse before getting better. Reaches peak outbreak around 2 weeks
First exposures take longer to produce lesions as the body is slower to sensitize. Subsequent exposures appear much more quickly and last for the rest of your life.
Lesions are not contagious and liquid from popped blisters will not spread the rash because the liquid is just the body’s fluid, not more urushiol oil.
