NUMBER PLATE HOLDERS

The FLOW DOWN® magnetic plate holders combine material, construction and real-world testing in a considered way. What defines them:

• Our own production in Germany - made in our workshop in Essen from dimensionally stable ASA
• ASA instead of ABS - UV-stable, weatherproof, no yellowing
• Neodymium magnets with roughly 12 kg of pull-off force and four-layer corrosion protection
• Tested on the Nordschleife with professional racing driver Loris Scheider
• A broad vehicle-specific range - including Korean tuning models (i30 N, Kona N, Stinger GT)
• Our own tuning workshop on site for advice and fitting
• A technical data sheet of our own documenting the tests

Magnetic plate holders are permitted in principle. The legal basis is section 12 of the German vehicle registration regulation (FZV), which requires the plate to be "firmly attached". Verkehrsblatt 5/2024 clarified that a plate must only be removable with tools or increased mechanical effort, and must hold securely under vibration, weather and UV exposure.

Used correctly and as instructed, the FLOW DOWN® magnetic plate holders are suitable for use on public roads in Germany. All details are in the technical data sheet. Legal responsibility for correct mounting rests with the vehicle keeper; outside Germany, national rules apply.

The FLOW DOWN® holders have been driven at over 300 km/h in real-world testing without the plate coming loose - including hard cornering, vibration and spirited driving. That assumes correct first fitting: a clean, degreased bonding surface, fitting above 15 °C and letting the tape cure before the first load. We also recommend warming the bonded areas on the plate briefly with a hair dryer - that is how the 3M VHB tape reaches full strength.

The universal holder fits almost any car and is the most flexible option. Vehicle-specific holders are developed for particular models - the BMW M2 G87 or Hyundai i30 N, for instance - and make the most of that bumper's geometry. On cars with a complex front (honeycomb grille, cut-outs) the vehicle-specific version is the tidy solution.

No. Behind every magnet sits a built-in ASA protective layer that prevents direct contact between magnet metal and paint. That keeps the holders kind to the paintwork even under changing loads. If you remove the tape from the back of the plate, any residue comes off cleanly with isopropanol.

The FLOW DOWN® magnets are bolted with M4 screws directly to the bumper or tailgate. That makes the fixing permanent, independent of the OEM plate holder, which is removed on many tuning builds anyway. The ASA layer behind the magnet protects the paint.

ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is the more capable relative of ABS, developed specifically for outdoor use. ABS becomes brittle under UV over time, yellows and loses impact strength. ASA keeps its shape, colour and strength even after years in the sun. For a part exposed to the weather all year round, we consider ASA the right material.

In use, yes - the holders are weather and UV resistant and cope with frost, snow, heat and pressure washing. For the first fitting we recommend temperatures above 15 °C so the tape cures properly. Fitting in freezing conditions can impair adhesion.

Three things decide the bond strength:

• Clean the bonding surface: degrease with isopropanol, not glass cleaner
• Above 15 °C: in the cold the tape does not cure properly
• Warm the backing plates: after sticking them on, heat them briefly with a hair dryer so the 3M VHB tape develops full strength

Full fitting instructions come with every order.

With cloth car washes we recommend taking the plate off beforehand. Depending on how the rotating cloths hit it, the impact can be enough to knock the plate off the magnets. Removing and refitting takes seconds. Self-service pressure washers are no problem, as long as the jet is not aimed at the edge of the plate from close range.

Used correctly, the FLOW DOWN® holders last for years. The magnets are protected against corrosion by a four-layer automotive epoxy coating and passed a 72-hour salt spray test. The ASA backing plates are UV-stable and do not become brittle in sunlight, unlike typical ABS holders.

Correctly fitted, there is normally nothing to object to. If an officer does ask, every order includes our technical data sheet documenting the material, the testing and the reference to section 12 FZV. That settles the question and shows this is a properly engineered product, not a home-made fix.

Yes, you need two sets - one front, one rear. On most of our products the variant picker lets you choose "front", "rear" or both. For a consistent look we recommend doing both ends.

Our vehicle-specific magnetic plate holders start at 34.00 EUR per set. The universal holder is in the same range. The technical data sheet and the manufacturer's guarantee are included.

Fitting them yourself is straightforward - full instructions come with every order and the first fitting takes about 10 minutes. If you would rather be sure: at our workshop in Essen we fit the holders properly and answer any questions. Book by phone on 0176 76043407 or via WhatsApp.

Orders ship Monday to Friday. Order before 12 noon and the holders leave our warehouse in Essen the same day. Delivery within Germany takes approx. 1-3 working days. We also ship abroad - delivery time then depends on the carrier in the destination country.