Tailgate rust from license plate relocation plate

For those of you with a tailgate license plate relocation, have you had issues with rust? If not, how have you gone about preventing it? I just installed something like this, and I'm concerned that the large plate will hold moisture against the tub.

I'm thinking about either treating the surface with a rust preventative or spacing the plate off the tailgate with a few washers so that it will not trap moisture. I'd like to hear your thoughts or experience!

06TJ35's said:

Im in SoCal so I don’t worry about rust much

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rasband said:

As long as the mount can't rub I don't expect youd see any issue since both sides are painted. All that you need to do is make sure the screws are tight.

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Rust is usually not a concern in Louisiana, but when I pulled my stock tire carrier off the tailgate, it left rust spots behind. I was conveniently already getting some paint and body work done on the tub, so I got the tailgate resprayed too. But I don't trust that plate with who knows how cheap of a coating resting right against the tailgate.

sycboi said:

I used large diameter rubber washers between the tub and bracket. Then I used stainless steel button head screws coated liberally with antiseize to mount it. I used a rubber washer and a stainless fat washer under the button head. I can’t see there being any issues with rust at this point…

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1Salty Dawg said:

I would think you could put some type of rubber / neoprene washer between the bracket and tailgate to let air flow between the two.

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I'm liking this idea. Stainless hardware and some rubber washers sounds like the way to go, thanks.