Number Plate trouble
Discussion
I want to discover how many other drivers have faced the same difficulty that I have confronted recently with respect to newly produced number plates. I own several cars and on three of them I have recently replaced the registration number plates, however, within 3-6 months of putting them on the cars the rear plates have rapidly deteriorated. The problem is that the black numbers and letters are literally fading and on one vehicle this had become so bad that two of the numbers had turned grey after 9 months and I had to replace the plate.
This problem had never occurred on any of my cars in the past. The new plates were purchased from Halfords (who, when seeing the problem were happy to replace the plate free of charge). I have bought number plates from Halfords in the past without any issues arising, nonetheless, I believe that the new technology that has been introduced, which involves printing the number straight from a computer onto the plate (paper / card) before lamination, is the cause of this problem and is somehow connected to the quality of the ink, or paper being used. The front plates have not been affected.
Has anyone else on here encountered this difficulty?
This problem had never occurred on any of my cars in the past. The new plates were purchased from Halfords (who, when seeing the problem were happy to replace the plate free of charge). I have bought number plates from Halfords in the past without any issues arising, nonetheless, I believe that the new technology that has been introduced, which involves printing the number straight from a computer onto the plate (paper / card) before lamination, is the cause of this problem and is somehow connected to the quality of the ink, or paper being used. The front plates have not been affected.
Has anyone else on here encountered this difficulty?
Yes on a rear number plate I bought in an emergency last November from Halfords Gloucester
after losing the original somewhere betwixt Shropshire and there.
I rather think I will have to change it for the MoT as it now has lovely and patchy grey digits
which are rapidly disappearing. Sunlight seems the culprit.
Won't bother to go back to Halfords I'll get one on the web as I usually do - never had a problem
with them.
Incidently don't know when the original departed on the journey but had wondered for some miles why
I seemed to be stared at by other car occupants.
after losing the original somewhere betwixt Shropshire and there.
I rather think I will have to change it for the MoT as it now has lovely and patchy grey digits
which are rapidly disappearing. Sunlight seems the culprit.
Won't bother to go back to Halfords I'll get one on the web as I usually do - never had a problem
with them.
Incidently don't know when the original departed on the journey but had wondered for some miles why
I seemed to be stared at by other car occupants.
I agree that it is definitely the sunlight that is causing the problem. What interests me is that this latest technology is now being used around the country and not just by Halfords and one can see that there will inevitably be a good many plates that will need replacing eventually. Personally, I can't see what was wrong with the old tried and tested method of producing the number plates, other than the fact that it took a few minutes longer to complete the process.
This is really interesting.
I've seen a few cars recently with seemingly faded plates (only front ones though) and had assumed, perhaps unfairly, that they were using them deliberately in order to make life difficult for average speed cameras.
Never seen a faded one on any of my own, friends, or neighbours cars though so no ideas how widespread any natural fading is.
I've seen a few cars recently with seemingly faded plates (only front ones though) and had assumed, perhaps unfairly, that they were using them deliberately in order to make life difficult for average speed cameras.
Never seen a faded one on any of my own, friends, or neighbours cars though so no ideas how widespread any natural fading is.
I was thinking about this a few days back after noticing a lot of poor quality looking plates recently in the office car park but surprisingly on newer cars.
And example of cost cutting in favour of progressing technology!
Whilst on the Halfords theme. I ordered some good quality plates online but used Halfords sticky fixers last year. Ensured surfaces clean and used extra pads for good measure.
Last week got home to find my rear plate missing! Sticky fixers still on car but let go of my plate.
Really don't want to drill the new plate so gonna see if a DIY store has anything better this time!
And example of cost cutting in favour of progressing technology!
Whilst on the Halfords theme. I ordered some good quality plates online but used Halfords sticky fixers last year. Ensured surfaces clean and used extra pads for good measure.
Last week got home to find my rear plate missing! Sticky fixers still on car but let go of my plate.
Really don't want to drill the new plate so gonna see if a DIY store has anything better this time!
Capri86 said:
I was thinking about this a few days back after noticing a lot of poor quality looking plates recently in the office car park but surprisingly on newer cars.
And example of cost cutting in favour of progressing technology!
Whilst on the Halfords theme. I ordered some good quality plates online but used Halfords sticky fixers last year. Ensured surfaces clean and used extra pads for good measure.
Last week got home to find my rear plate missing! Sticky fixers still on car but let go of my plate.
Really don't want to drill the new plate so gonna see if a DIY store has anything better this time!
I have used sticky back velcro for my rear plate. Still attached after 5 years if thats any help. Of course somebody could easily nick the plate but that could happen anyway. And example of cost cutting in favour of progressing technology!
Whilst on the Halfords theme. I ordered some good quality plates online but used Halfords sticky fixers last year. Ensured surfaces clean and used extra pads for good measure.
Last week got home to find my rear plate missing! Sticky fixers still on car but let go of my plate.
Really don't want to drill the new plate so gonna see if a DIY store has anything better this time!
12 POT said:
I agree that it is definitely the sunlight that is causing the problem.
Doesn't sound likely to me. Typically caused by air between the clear plastic and the black number - if the plate was not carefully assembled and properly rolled to get all the air out. Personally I've never had any problem with Halfords plates or fixings. I bought some from eBay around three years ago and was a bit fed up that they're "already" starting to fade out and may need replacing for this years MOT test. By comparison it seems like I've had a pretty good life out of them. I might go for pressed aluminium next time, at least I can re-paint them.
Yazza54 said:
I always just buy ebay ones from show plate sellers, albeit not show plates, just the legal lettering etc and never had an issue. Bought Halfords plates once and they were twice the price and absolutely s
t.
Only issue is you get an anal police person and they can have you for lack of bs markings, techincally its mot failure now.t.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff