How to remove adhesive number plate pads?

[versus]

I need to change the plates on my car and the old plates have been on it for a couple of years with adhesive pads. I have managed to pry the plates off the car, but the adhesive pads have remained stuck to the car and I can't get them off.

I have tried using a hairdryer and a wallpaper scraper tool (with care of course) but only the upper surface of the pad came off. About half of it (in terms of thickness) is still left on the car.

What can I do to get rid of the pads completely and give the car a good clean?

[16v stretch]

Petrol.

That's what I used on mine.

[_rubinho_]

Some sort of solvent; white spirit, Acetone (nail polish remover), IPA (no not beer!) or something should work. Watch the paint!

[E30M3SE]

WD40.

[versus]

petrol?!

i dont want the paint to come off as well. just the pads.

woulds turps be ok?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Petrol cannot IMO safely be recommended for cleaning anything. Cigarette lighter fluid is much less volatile and I find it effective for jobs where white spirit etc don't cut the mustard. Use with a plastic scraper or old credit card.

[versus]

Can I do this on a dirty car or would it be best to wash the car first to allow the pads to 'soak' a little?

[TRUENOSAM]

Autoglym tar and bug remover

[Ozzie Osmond]

versus said:

Can I do this on a dirty car or would it be best to wash the car first to allow the pads to 'soak' a little?

Just get the worst of the crud off and then soak with solvent. Remember that nothing scratches paintwork more effectively than rubbing over dirt and grit....

[16v stretch]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Petrol cannot IMO safely be recommended for cleaning anything. Cigarette lighter fluid is much less volatile and I find it effective for jobs where white spirit etc don't cut the mustard. Use with a plastic scraper or old credit card.

You're using petrol as a solvent though to remove the chemical adhesion, I'm certainly not suggesting for anyone to valet the car with it! Lighter fluid is a suitable alternative too.

Besides, a quick wipe down with a panel wipe/quick detailer and you're sorted.

[SLacKer]

E30M3SE said:

WD40.

+1

Works every time. Soften with a hair dryer for even better results.

[Sump]

Tardis.

[Lordglenmorangie]

SLacKer said:

+1

Works every time. Soften with a hair dryer for even better results.

+2 and won't explode

[XG332]

I've used petrol to remove glue residue from one of our fully stickered up race vans. Quick polish and looked good as new.

[versus]

This is much more than glue residue. Its like a proper adhesive pad, with half the thickness. I'm going to attempt the suggestions above tomorrow.

[XG332]

versus said:

This is much more than glue residue. Its like a proper adhesive pad, with half the thickness. I'm going to attempt the suggestions above tomorrow.

Petrol brakes down the glue. I know as I had to remove a GoPro stick on mount from a chassis leg on our ford gt. It wasn't going anywhere until I added some petrol and worked it off.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Wd isn't strong enough to remove this 'adhesive of Satan'

I also use petrol and a plastic scraper, the type of thing that you get with a tub of body filler.

As it's used in an area covered by the plate, it's no big deal on the bodywork. But for what it's worth, I've never damaged paint by using petrol - it's tough enough to not be affected by it.

As another poster said, 10 minutes of petrol followed by a bit of polish sees the paint as shiny and as good as new.

It will be fine.

[versus]

Right finally managed to get rid of the stuff after 2.5 hours of using a hairdryer, old credit card (brilliant tip thank you!), turps substitute, and autoglym super resin polish.

my god, never again!!

[XG332]

Told you to use petrol

[djdestiny]

Don't stick new pads on top of super resin polish, it will soon fall off!
You need squeaky clean paint work, wash the area with fairy or a degreaser