number plates

Fitting Instructions :

Our fitting page is dedicated to help you fit your new number plates. Just scroll down to see each guide or click the below buttons to jump to the specific guide. If you still need assistance with fitting your number plates please do not hesitate to contact us we will be more than happy to help.

1. Removing your existing number plates

In order to remove your existing number plates you will first need to determine how they are currently fixed. They will either be screwed or stuck.

Removing existing number plates which have been screwed on is very simple, just simply remove the screws and pull off the existing number plates.

Ensure you have a hold of the plate once the screws have been removed to ensure the plate doesn’t fall and damage your bodywork. Some number plates which have been screwed on may also have sticky pads applied for extra adhesion.

Please remember to keep your existing number plates if you plan to fit your new number plates with screws, as we will use the existing number plates as a template for the screw holes.

Removing existing number plates which have been stuck using sticky pads is also very simple. We highly recommend our fishing tackle method. You can also use dental floss or string for removing your number plates.

You simply wrap some fishing line around your fingers, pull back and forth behind the number plates and work your way along the number plate until the plate is removed.

This method works very well as it cuts through the sticky pads, removing the number plate but without damaging your car's bodywork.

Some number plates which have been stuck on can simply be removed by placing your fingers under one edge of the plate, and pulling and bending the plate towards you and the plate may come unstuck.

Heat can also help with removing existing number plates if required, using a heat gun or hair dryer which can also loosen the bond between the sticky pads and bodywork. Also soaking the area in wd40 can also be useful and especially for the next step.

2. Preparing the area for your new number plates

It is vital that you clean and prepare the area on the vehicle when applying new number plate.

This is especially important if you are planning to use sticky pads to fix your new number plates to your vehicle, as cleaning and preparing the area prior to fitting will ensure the best possible adhesion.

We start by cleaning the area behind your existing number plates with a general wash solution or WD40 or similar, to remove general dirt and debris.

The area behind your existing number plates will be most probably be very dirty. Dirt and debris work their way into the areas behind the number plates which general washing does not remove.

Once the area is cleaned and dried you will need to remove any existing sticky pad and residue, if the number plates were stuck using sticky pads. Soak the area first in a solvent such as wd40 and scrub away at the existing pad and pad residue ideally with one of our plastic removal tools.

It is not fully necessary to remove all of the sticky pad residue, but the more residue that is removed, the better adhesion and also the flatter the plate will sit to the bodywork.

You will need to remove the foam left on top of the bodywork from the existing number plates. You can use a number of general items to remove the existing pads such as a ruler or credit card. We offer a cheap plastic tool in our accessory line up which is fantastic at removing old sticky pads, but doesn't damage bodywork.

Keep the pressure moderate and do not apply to much pressure. Your aim is to simply remove the foam left over from the existing sticky pads. WD40 is very useful at this stage. General household vinegar also can work wonders, please leave to soak for 3-5 minutes.

Once you are happy with the results, the final step is to clean the area with our Isopropyl pads or an alcohol solution. This step is important as the alcohol cleans and dissolves the remaining grease and cleaning residue that is left on the surface. This ensures that when you apply your new number plates, they adhere to the bodywork.

General cleaners, wash solutions and even water will leave residue behind, which can hinder the sticky pad adhesion. Alcohol pads remove the last remaining residue, dirt and debris to leave a pure bodywork finish.

Make sure the area is also dry before applying your new number plates, as wet bodywork or water will cause issues with adhesion.

3. Fitting your number plates using screws

To fit your number plates using screws we highly recommend using your existing number plates as a template. This will ensure the screw holes are in the same location on your new number plates.

This is not entirely necessary for example if you wish to relocate your screw holes, or if for example your number plates were stuck using sticky pads, and you would like to fix using screws instead.

If you are fitting your new number plates with screws and the existing number plates have not been screwed on, then you will not need your existing number plate as a template. You will now need to drill new holes in the preferred location. But it may be beneficial to use your old number plate as a test before drilling your new number plates.

You will need an electric drill, a HSS Pro 4.2mm drill bit, a screw kit, and a fine black marker pen all of which you can purchase online via our website.

Place your new number plate facing down on a table or floor where you are drilling, and place your existing number plate on top of your new number plate also facing downwards.

Square up the two number plates so they are positioned correctly on top of each other. Mark on the new number plate where the hole locations are on the existing number plates with a black marker pen.

Remove your existing number plate and get ready to drill the marker locations on the new number plates.

Please use these 5 simple steps for the best possible finish:

1. Drill back to front ( Reflective side to Acrylic side )
2. Drill slowly ( Very slow drill speed )
3. Drill with low pressure ( Use the least amount of pressure )
4. Use correct drill bit ( 4.2mm HSS Drill Bit )
5. Place something soft underneath ( Polystyrene or Wood )

Once you have successfully drilled your new number plates you will be then be able to fix them to your vehicle. We recommend using our PZ2 Screwdriver Bit which are the correct fitment for the screws.

Remember to include the coloured screw caps for the best possible finish, which are included in all of our screw kits which can be ordered online via our website.

If you are using our tamper proof fixing kit then this contains both the screw bit and an allen key required to fix the tamper proof screws.

Please note if you are ordering our Gel Resin plates, the actual digits cannot be drilled. You would need to relocate the drill holes, or using sticky pads instead, see below step 4.

 

4. Fitting your number plates using sticky pads

To ensure the best possible fitment of your new number plates with sticky pads, it is important that you followed step 2 on preparing the area, to ensure the best possible adhesion for your new number plates.

To start apply sticky pads to the back of the new number plates. We highly recommend 6 pads per number plate, and in some instances with gel resin number plates and some larger number plates we recommend applying more pads for example 9-12.

Apply the pads in both horizontal, vertical and slanted positions as shown in the photographs to get the best grip. Remove the backing of the doubled sided pads only when you are ready to apply the number plates to your vehicle.

Place the plate gently against the area on the vehicle where you are applying your new number plates. When you are happy with the position firmly apply pressure with your hands over the plate surface to ensure the sticky pads adhere to your vehicle.

We highly recommend the sticky pad adhesion option as our pads are very strong. The other benefits include not having to drill your number plates, which in turn makes the plate look neater. Also in most instances the plates do seem to last longer too and be more resistant to water ingress.

We do not recommend using sticky pads if the area on your vehicle is curved or bent. Some Mercedes and Porsche vehicles have bumpers with curves and bends which can result in the number plate having to flex. We recommend in those instances to use screws at either end of the number plate.

You can also fix with your number plates with a combination of both screws and sticky pads if required.

 


5. Using our Suction Cups for fitment

Our double-sided suction cups are fantastic for temporary adhesion of your number plates, either directly to your vehicle or over your existing number plate.

They easily and instantly adhere to most surfaces, and can be easily removed without any residue left behind. They are also resistant to water, heat and many other influencing factors.

Just simply moisten the cup and apply pressure to the back of the plate, and then apply to your vehicle.

We recommend 4 suction cups per plate, and we sell them for £0.99 as a pair.

6. Using our Number Plate Holders for fitment

Our number plate holders are of a very high quality. They are primed and then painted in a metallic paint. We have an extensive range of 11 colours.

The holder will take any standard oblong size number plate, ie:520mm x 111mm / 20.5in x 4.4in, which is the standard most common number plate size in the UK used by 98% of vehicles.

Please note two holders are required for a set of number plates, and fixings will be required to attach the holder to your vehicle.

To fix your number plates with our holders you first just need to attach the holder to your vehicle. We recommend screwing the holder to your vehicle with 2 or 4 screws in any of the pre-fabricated holes.

Once your holder is attached to your car you can then attach your number plate to the holder. You do not require any fixings for this step. Just simply bend the number plate in a slight curve as per the top right photo and slot the number plate in the holder.

Then push the number plate to the top of the holder. You will then have to push down slightly on the top of the number plate in the middle and the plate will then fully seat in the holder.

Once the plate is fully seated within the holder, just simply clip in the bottom holder. See the bottom left photo for an illustration you just need to apply a slight bend to the bottom holder and then clip in. Lastly apply pressure on the three tabs as seen in the 4th photo on the right, and this will seal the number plate in the holder.

If you ever need to remove your number plate you just simply remove the bottom holder, and pull the number plate downwards and the plate will simply remove.