How to change rear no. plate?

[Painey]

I discovered over the weekend that the no. plate on my Griff is not the translucent variety needed to get it through an MOT so I'll be needing to change it this weekend. I was just wondering if there's any special technique or things to do when changing it??

It seems to be stuck on pretty firmly and I don't really want to get to the point where I'm having a good old tug (ooh err) and end up doing some damage to the car.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance - Chris

[Reeso]

Its easy! Heat up one corner with a hair dryer, but do not get the paint too hot. Leaver this corner (slowly) with a screw driver, then work your way around the plate. The slower the better.
Once the plate is off, take the residue of the sticky stuff off straight away as it will be easier. The reason for this is because when putting the new plate on, the surface needs to be as clean as poss.
Good luck.

[burriana500]

Strange

My '97s rear plate just screws onto the two brackets with normal number plate screws. What are yours stuck onto?

[simpo two]

The fixing areas are on either side - mine uses sticky pads but there's no reason why you can't use self-tappers instead (except the heads show).

Or you could simply hang around the mechanic when he asks how the rear plate is lit and tell him it works from inside. If he's still not happy, tell him that's how it left the factory, they're always like that and it's TVR low volume exempt thing.

[icamm]

Mines stuck on all the way round the edge of the hole. (92 4.3)

[BogBeast]

simpo two said:

Or you could simply hang around the mechanic when he asks how the rear plate is lit and tell him it works from inside. If he's still not happy, tell him that's how it left the factory, they're always like that and it's TVR low volume exempt thing.

Always worked for me...

[Painey]

Cheers for the help, the plate on my 95 N car is stuck on, quite firmly as it happens and I'm not looking forward to changing it.

I've ordered a new plate over the net which should get here before it's MOT over the weekend so I should be able to sort something out in the garage before then. Really not looking forward to it though and you should have seen the look on the other half's face last night when I told her I might need her hairdryer for the car!!!

[burriana500]

Careful who you order the plate from Chris - Fancyplates in N.I do great plates... except their see through backing, er, isn't! I had to buy the backing sheet from my local TVR dealer and send it to them

I now have a very very nice number plate... expensive, but nice

[Painey]

Hmm this could be a pain then because that's exactly who I've ordered the plate from!

I'll have a look at it if it's turned up today but that doesn't sound too good. Might have to resort to plan B, the "TVR low volume, blah blah blah..." explanation.

D'oh!

[Heath24]

Depends on where you take your car for its MOT, my Chimaera hasn't got the correct plate, (garage where I got it from put new plate on it with their details on it) but it went through its MOT before I brought it, and has just sailed through again.

Did take it to MOT station through a TVR specialist though, may have helped!!
Keep meaning to have a look at night to see how much light shines through.

[burriana500]

Unless Fancyplates has changed their supplier, the amount of light showing through will be...zero!

You will soon be able to tell - if the Backing is white ... if the backing is grey

Just hold it up to the light or window, you should be able to see the outline of your hand through it.

Good luck!

[Wooly]

Ordered new plates through fancy plates last week - have to specify translucent for rear.

Appears to be no backing to rear, ie yellow. Put on and light shines through ok