number plate removal

[rubyV8S]

Might sound like a v. stupid question, but does anyone have any suggestions for removing the number plates?

Mine appear to have been glued or bonded straight onto the bodywork and am worried about levering/ripping them off as I can imagine large amounts of paint coming off as well.

Is there anything to soak down behind the plates to make them easier to remove?

By the way, thanks for the suggestions on using the renovo stuff on the hood, it's come up a treat.
Cheers

Mark

>>> Edited by rubyV8S on Saturday 31st August 21:14

[simpo one]

They're probably stuck on with sticky pads, which stick like hell! If the numberplate is to be sacrificed, suggest you protect the paintwork with a pice of cardboard then lever up the corner of the plate with a large screwdriver or similar.

[andyvg]

Have experienced this one in the past on my Nissan,

The sticky pads they use these days are EXTREMELY effective at doing what they are employed to do.

I would avoid trying to lever it with anything like a screwdriver as it only ends in tears (previous exp.)

The best way I have found is to get your fingers behind the plate as best you can and pull evenly until something gives (probably will be the number plate they generally split down the middle!)

number plates are cheap these days anyway..

also when you get the plate off use white spirit to remove the sticky pads - don't scrape at it, I found that soaking the remaining pads a couple of times works best.

Andy.

[rubyV8S]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I was thinking that when I come to fix the new plates of drilling through the body work and using small bolts with rubber grommets to stop any possible water getting through. Do you think this a better option or using the sticky pad route?

[shpub]

Use a heat gun on a lowish setting to get the pads etc warm and it makes it easier to remove.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[rubyV8S]

Thanks Steve, sounds like a good idea.