Dealers who use self-tappers to fit number plates - why?
Discussion
I've just used double-sided tape to fit new number plates to one of my cars. They're secure and look neat but why do dealers still use self-tappers? I've seen brand new Mercedes with four screws holding the rear plate on, two near the top and two near the bottom. It looks really cheap and shoddy so why do they do it?
I see I'm not alone in hating this practice.
To those who reckon double sided tape doesn't stick well - it does, I almost snapped a stuck-on plate trying to wrestle it off. In the end I resorted to sawing with dental floss to cut through the tape and spent half an hour picking off the gooey bits. The plates had been on the 13 years without falling off.
Use the pre-drilled holes in the bodywork? There were two in the boot lid but none in the front bumper so I'll stick to what I know to be effective on my other cars; tape.
(I still think it's shoddy work to use shiny self tappers, irrespective of how much a car cost).
To those who reckon double sided tape doesn't stick well - it does, I almost snapped a stuck-on plate trying to wrestle it off. In the end I resorted to sawing with dental floss to cut through the tape and spent half an hour picking off the gooey bits. The plates had been on the 13 years without falling off.
Use the pre-drilled holes in the bodywork? There were two in the boot lid but none in the front bumper so I'll stick to what I know to be effective on my other cars; tape.
(I still think it's shoddy work to use shiny self tappers, irrespective of how much a car cost).
I use 3m double sided plate tape on a roll for my cars. Helps being in the trade. As some have said, getting it off is a nightmare! I have 3 plates on top of each other on my caravan now, as the rear panel flexes so much when trying to remove now!
However, certain vehicles, Ford's Specifically, and some vauxhalls have threads in the tailgate, so Ill use those at work when I can. Makes it nicer.
However, certain vehicles, Ford's Specifically, and some vauxhalls have threads in the tailgate, so Ill use those at work when I can. Makes it nicer.
richs2891 said:
Nice to know that its not just me that hates this - told the dealer when I picked my new car up I did not want the number plate attached with screws.
The Mercedes thing with 4 screws really confuses me as to why, just looks nasty
I have 4 Stainless Steel Pan Head Machine Screws on my Merc rear plate.The Mercedes thing with 4 screws really confuses me as to why, just looks nasty
Classy. Doncha Know!!
Tape is all very well and good, however if it is cold, they don't stick very well and if the surface isn't cleaned properly they don't stick very well, however a properly stuck on plate is a real bugger to remove.
Renault say that their dealers have to use rivets now; we used to use self tappers, the problem with rivets is, sometimes a bit of metal pops off in the tailgate so you get a bit rattling around and if the plates need to be changed, they have to be drilled out if attached to a metal panel and this is a pain and time consuming.
Renault say that their dealers have to use rivets now; we used to use self tappers, the problem with rivets is, sometimes a bit of metal pops off in the tailgate so you get a bit rattling around and if the plates need to be changed, they have to be drilled out if attached to a metal panel and this is a pain and time consuming.
Edited by HTP99 on Saturday 11th April 15:01
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