Sticky numberplates
Discussion
Hi all,
I know this seems like a really stupid question, but I have a sticky numberplate on the front of my Griff and I would really like to take it off without leaving a numberplate-sized hole in the paintwork...
Any ideas how I can do this? Or should I order up some paint first??
Oh, forgot to mention. It's been on the car since 1995!
Cheers!
>>> Edited by SGirl on Sunday 29th September 18:27
I know this seems like a really stupid question, but I have a sticky numberplate on the front of my Griff and I would really like to take it off without leaving a numberplate-sized hole in the paintwork...
Any ideas how I can do this? Or should I order up some paint first??
Oh, forgot to mention. It's been on the car since 1995!
Cheers!
>>> Edited by SGirl on Sunday 29th September 18:27
SGirl
Play some gentle heat on the sticky plate from a hairdryer (I am sure you've got one!!) lift one corner and keep pulling while playing heat on it - it should come off easy. Worked when I helped my son get the boy racer stripes of his Renault 5 Turbo.
Once you've done it apply a little grime remover type stuff - not T-cut as it's a bit abrasive - to get rid of the residue.
Good luck
Paul
Play some gentle heat on the sticky plate from a hairdryer (I am sure you've got one!!) lift one corner and keep pulling while playing heat on it - it should come off easy. Worked when I helped my son get the boy racer stripes of his Renault 5 Turbo.
Once you've done it apply a little grime remover type stuff - not T-cut as it's a bit abrasive - to get rid of the residue.
Good luck
Paul
quote:
Would have thought u could just peel it off in bits by getting them loverly long nails under it:ducks4cover:
Haven't got any any more - spent the afternoon playing mechanics!!
quote:
My only real concern would be the colour difference that would be left and wether its gonna need a respray or T-cuting.
I'm not too fussed about colour matching problems really - I'm planning to put a new plate over the space where the old one was (bought the Griff a new registration!). But I don't want to leave the old one on because it'll look like I couldn't be bothered making it look nice. I just want to avoid peeling the plate off and half the paint on the front of the car coming off with it.
I'll address the problem of how to remove the sticky plate permanently if/when I get pulled over for it!!
(Legal plate going into boot as we speak!) Thanks BB!
You'll need to warm it, but I would guess that they're not designed to be removed easily.
When I took the dealer badge off the back of my Chim, I used a kettle full of nearly boiling water (probably about 80C) and slowly poured it over, then gently peeled it off.
I would guess that a similar approach may work for a stick on number plate but YMMV.
I'd also be very surprised if the paint matched underneath.......
When I took the dealer badge off the back of my Chim, I used a kettle full of nearly boiling water (probably about 80C) and slowly poured it over, then gently peeled it off.
I would guess that a similar approach may work for a stick on number plate but YMMV.
I'd also be very surprised if the paint matched underneath.......
quote:
SGirl
Play some gentle heat on the sticky plate from a hairdryer (I am sure you've got one!!) lift one corner and keep pulling while playing heat on it - it should come off easy.
This sounds good - thanks Paul! Believe it or not, I don't actually own a hairdrier - but if Griff wants one, then Griff shall have one! It'll come in handy for drying the carpets in winter, anyway...
Cheers!
quote:
You'll need to warm it, but I would guess that they're not designed to be removed easily.
It doesn't look like it. That's why I was worried.
quote:
When I took the dealer badge off the back of my Chim, I used a kettle full of nearly boiling water (probably about 80C) and slowly poured it over, then gently peeled it off.
Hm, I thought about doing this, but I was a bit worried about damaging the car. Yours was okay after this?
quote:
I'd also be very surprised if the paint matched underneath.......
Don't care if it doesn't (see my message to BB above). Until Mr Plod tells me I have to.
ouch:
quote:Yeah, no apparent side effects, other than some slight scratching where I got my fingernails under the badge. I guess it would even stand boiling water, but why risk it.quote:Hm, I thought about doing this, but I was a bit worried about damaging the car. Yours was okay after this?
When I took the dealer badge off the back of my Chim, I used a kettle full of nearly boiling water (probably about 80C) and slowly poured it over, then gently peeled it off.
Basically what it comes down to is the properties of the adhesive. Heat is either going to soften it or it isn't.
If you definitely want to get it off (ooeer missus!) then you'll surely have more success with the application of heat than without. All in my very humble opinion of course.
My Rear numberplate was stuck on, (but my car isn't a TVR). All I did was pour a kettle of boiling water across the top back and forth giving a gentle flow of water, then gently lift the corner and slowly prise it up. I needed to boil the kettle again but a wedge of wood lodged in kept the plate from falling back down again!
HTH
HTH
The best way to remove self adhesive films is with heat. Use either a hair dryer or a hot air paint stripper (carefully!!) to warm the vinyl, then peel back. Once started , peel vinyl back over itself, not away from the car, to minimise chances of removing paint. Paint will only let go if it was badly done, especially re-sprayed. Reflective vinyl has a particularly aggressive adhesive, so patience will be necessary. It is possible that the adhesive will remain on the car. This can be removed with a suitable solvent.We(I work for a company that fits graphics on vehicles, among other things)use commercial products but meths or white spirit will do the job eventually.
Jon H
Jon H
I've spent all weekend getting the graphix off my old van ready to flog it and ended up useing a wall paper steamer and then meths for the adhesive, I got fed up burning my fingers with the hair dryer, but as said the reflective ones were a real bugger and I'll never use them again.
>> Edited by mel on Monday 30th September 10:16
>> Edited by mel on Monday 30th September 10:16
Update on situation so far - well, I've started it!! Went out and bought a hairdryer this morning and have now got singed fingers and no fingernails. Can't get the plate to lift at all, it's just coming off in bits. This is going to be a loooong job.
Presumably this means that the plate is just too brittle to get off in a single piece? If anyone has any good ideas, I'd be very pleased to hear them!!
You weren't wrong about the aggressive adhesive...
Presumably this means that the plate is just too brittle to get off in a single piece? If anyone has any good ideas, I'd be very pleased to hear them!!
You weren't wrong about the aggressive adhesive...
quote:
Update on situation so far - well, I've started it!! Went out and bought a hairdryer this morning and have now got singed fingers and no fingernails. Can't get the plate to lift at all, it's just coming off in bits. This is going to be a loooong job.
Presumably this means that the plate is just too brittle to get off in a single piece? If anyone has any good ideas, I'd be very pleased to hear them!!
You weren't wrong about the aggressive adhesive...
Just play a little more heat from the dryer to stop it from coming off in little pieces, it should work okay if it's warm enough.
Jas
quote:
Just play a little more heat from the dryer to stop it from coming off in little pieces, it should work okay if it's warm enough.
Nope, doesn't seem to. I tried boiling water as well. It still comes off in pieces - got the plate as hot as I could but it's ancient, that might have something to do with it.
to calm you down! Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff