Best way to attach a front numberplate?

[Chris71]

Hi,

Since I bought it, my Chim has had a miniature numberplate simply stuck onto the lip below the grille with adhesive tape:


A few weeks ago it detached itself. This is one of a number of odd jobs on my to-do list for the next MOT. (I'm also going to double check the numberplate size is legal - it went through the last MOT without any complaints, but must be pretty close to the limit!)

What's the best way to re-attach it?

If I go with a simple adhesive strip again, can anyone recommend a particular type of tape or any surface preparation I should do beforehand?

Cheers,

Chris

[Hoover.]

If use tape, you might be able to away with velcro..... makes taking the plate off , and refixing it very easy

sorry officer was at track day... I'll put it back on now

[ianwayne]

Pads with double sticky sides are good. I think they were originally meant for holding on mirror glass really but I've used them on several car number plates without a problem. I don't like drilling holes in them unless i have to:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Number-Plate-Sticky-...

99p delivered.

P.S. That number plate is illegal, i.e. too small but as long as it can be easily read and hasn't had the ludricous spacing, letter/number twisting and selected screw positions, I doubt you'd get done for it.

Number plates fitted after 1st September 2001

"Any number plate made up after 1st September 2001 must meet the dimensions as below:

Character Height 79 mm

Character Width (except the figure 1 or letter I) 50 mm

Character stroke 14 mm

Space between characters 11 mm

Space between groups 33 mm

Top, bottom, and side margins (minimum) 11 mm

Space between vertical lines 19 mm


For number plates fitted before 1st September 2001, see here:

http://www.theplatemarket.com/display_of_registrat...

Edited by ianwayne on Sunday 2nd February 12:33

[A900ss]

I'm just about to replace my plate and am interested in the sticky pads.

Can it really hold the plate on at xxx MPH?

[ianwayne]

The windflow into the front of the car actually helps pin the plate on if you know what I mean. The fact it's a slightly curved surface is more of a problem and that it's only about 1 cm wide may cause too much turbulence.

I also have the later nose and my front is actually screwed on by previous owners. Both my previous Fiat Panda and my current Suzuki Splash have them stuck on but there is much more of a surface area to gain purchase on.

[Alun450]

I have the small plate fitted, good old Velcro holds it on no problems. It seems flimsy but its still there!
I do find that the panel is so thin that when I want to take the plate off I tend to pull all the Velcro off so have to start again with a new piece.

It does look the business and I've only had one copper give me the eye but sort of smiled and drove on!

If I had to put the original back on it looks huge!

[Supateg]

I cut out a number plate sized piece of 3mm clear polycarbonate and fastened it on with m5 stainless countersunk head bolts. This provided the perfect mounting surface to stick the number plate to.

Edited by Supateg on Sunday 2nd February 14:49

[Alun450]

I like that alot, Paris blue by any chance?
It looks much better on the bottom than straddling the centre section, tidy!

[Supateg]

Yes, a stone chipped Paris blue!
Hopefully more air into the air scoop too. Standard size font and spacing a 5 digit registration allows to blank ends to be trimmed off.

[seeby]

Supateg said:

I cut out a number plate sized piece of 3mm clear polycarbonate and fastened it on with m5 stainless countersunk head bolts. This provided the perfect mounting surface to stick the number plate to.

Great minds think alike,thats how Ive done mine.Does away with seeing fixing screws

[Chris71]

ianwayne said:

Pads with double sticky sides are good. I think they were originally meant for holding on mirror glass really but I've used them on several car number plates without a problem. I don't like drilling holes in them unless i have to:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Number-Plate-Sticky-...

99p delivered.

P.S. That number plate is illegal, i.e. too small but as long as it can be easily read and hasn't had the ludricous spacing, letter/number twisting and selected screw positions, I doubt you'd get done for it.

Number plates fitted after 1st September 2001

"Any number plate made up after 1st September 2001 must meet the dimensions as below:

Character Height 79 mm

Character Width (except the figure 1 or letter I) 50 mm

Character stroke 14 mm

Space between characters 11 mm

Space between groups 33 mm

Top, bottom, and side margins (minimum) 11 mm

Space between vertical lines 19 mm


For number plates fitted before 1st September 2001, see here:

http://www.theplatemarket.com/display_of_registrat...

Being a 1997 car, I guess you could argue the toss on pre/post-2001 fitted numberplate? For all I know it may have been on there since 1997.

Speaking of which, although it did ultimately come off, the sticky pads were there when I bought it, so they held for at least three years. Just thought I'd pose the question in case everyone recoiled in horror at the idea, but it seems I'm not alone with my sticky pads.

Unfortunately, the pads have come apart rather than simply unstuck so the first thing I need to do is remove what's left of them from the bodywork. Any tips? Is it safe to use a solvent of some description?

[Supateg]

Chris71 said:

Unfortunately, the pads have come apart rather than simply unstuck so the first thing I need to do is remove what's left of them from the bodywork. Any tips? Is it safe to use a solvent of some description?

Hot air gun worked best for me. Heat up the pad and residue; please don’t burn the paint work. Gentle heat, not burning hot, enough to make the pad residue 'soft n sticky'. It should just rub off with your thumb into a ball. (Don’t blame me if you burn your thumb!)

Or there is a Sticky Pad residue aerosol solvent I have come across, but won't remove old hard sticky pads.

[Dodsy]

Front plate on mine was just screwed into the cross piece . It came loose. 2 x Rawl plugs later and all sorted. Its been fine for 7 years now.

[Chris71]

Supateg said:

Please don’t burn the paint work.

That'd be my fear if I was pointing the a hot air gun at it! Don't actually have one currently, but might experiment with Mrs Chris71's hair dryer if I can't persuade it off normally.

[EGB]

Chris71 said:

Supateg said:

Please don’t burn the paint work.

That'd be my fear if I was pointing the a hot air gun at it! Don't actually have one currently, but might experiment with Mrs Chris71's hair dryer if I can't persuade it off normally.

Soak pad with PETROL. Worked for me. PS don't put petrol in hot air gun.

[Timja]

I used the heavy duty velcro:

http://www.velcro.co.uk/Products/Adhesive-Backed/H...

VELCRO® Brand Heavy Duty Stick On tapes, coins, and strips offer 50% more holding power than everyday VELCRO® Brand Stick On Fasteners. They feature a molded plastic hook and a heavy duty, water-resistant adhesive for indoor and outdoor uses on smooth surfaces, including plastic.


Noticeably more sticky and hardwearing than standard velcro.

Should be able to buy by 1\2 metre from a shop that sells dress making/sewing type things or maybe market or DIY place or online.

Worked very well so far! feels very secure.

[Chris71]

EGB said:

Soak pad with PETROL. Worked for me.

Presumably meths or something would do much the same job? Always very wary of the paintwork, though.

[ianwayne]

I'd have thought white spirit would do the job. Doesn't damage lacquer (although it may smear any chips you have used touch-up paint on); I use it frequently to get tar spots off.

[Timja]

IPA works very well to get sticky things off if you know anyone in the print industry.

(isopropyl alcohol, not the beer!)