Help - advice please!

[S3_Steve]

Just bought some new plates and thought I would asked you knowlegeable people how to remove the old ones, as I suspect they will be well attached and do not want to fcuk the paintwork in the process. Also, what do stick tne new ones on with?

[petclub]

Steve, really glad you asked this question 'cos I hope to be getting new number / plates later this week and I hadn't thought about how to stick them on, doh!

[tvrgit]

If you can't see screwheads then they should be held on with double-sided sticky pads.

I found that they came off with a good pull (ahem) provided that you're careful not to twist them and scratch the paint with the edge of the plate. I then tried various solvents on the back of the plate to see what dissolved the adhesive - I think that I ended up using cellulose thinners on a cloth on the actual paintwork.

If that doesn't work, you might be able to get a fine wire behind the plate and see-saw it through the sticky pads edgeways.

If that doesn't work... em, I'm stuck too!

You can buy new sticky pads at Halfords and stuff.

[Rower]

I think a hairdryer will heat the residual glue enough to let you clean it off.

I want to get new plates and understand that the rear is slightly smaller than standard and has to cut down, can anyone confirm ?

[tvrgit]

Rower said:

I think a hairdryer will heat the residual glue enough to let you clean it off. I want to get new plates and understand that the rear is slightly smaller than standard and has to cut down, can anyone confirm ?

Yes! You need to get about 1/4 inch trimmed off one edge before the plate is made. Wee shops will do this, Halfords (or at least my local branch) won't.

Edited to say maybe 3/8ths of an inch then!

>> Edited by tvrgit on Tuesday 13th September 12:00

[S3_Steve]

Yep rear plate is slightly smaller than standard (520mm x 112mm). When I measured the old rear plate it was 510mm x 112mm, several people stated 20mm smaller than standard though (i.e. 500mm x 112mm). Ordered mine from fancyplates.com who will make them to suit, good service - 2 days from order.

[profstoff]

Mine are being done today by the garage that's doing a service (I was chicken and didn't want to screw up taking the old ones off myself). I didn;t realise the back one was slightly smaller until I offered it up to car and it got stuck in the recess. I don't think it's much of a problem to trim down to fit though.

[doddze]

Slide a plastis ruler behind the plate to begin the leverage and then just pull it off slowly..... it will come off as it is only double sided padded sellotape.

Clean the residue off the car using a cloth and spray furniture polish...It dissolves the glue.

Back one does need to be trimmed but ionly a bit either side with a hacksaw and then sanded smooth.

[S3_Steve]

The ones from fancyplates.com are supplied with self adhesive pads! I should have looked in the package before I went out and bought some more.

[petclub]

Hi S3 Steve, don't know if you've dome your plates yet. I've just done mine today, the old ones came off OK with some leverage from a broad blade screwdriver suitably cushioned against the body. The rear cleaned off easily, but the front was held on by 5 wide rubber like sticky pads that are very hard to remove. So, I cleaned them down and stuck the new one on top. The rear plate was a bit too big but we ground one edge off quite quickly.

[lordb]

Did mine earlier this year - they where held on with double sided tape - I dripped a little petrol down the back of the plates and they slid off easily.

tip of the day!!?