Hi,
I've just registered a private plate but on the current rear plate there are no screw fixings (which does look better) But I've heard horror stories of plates falling off when held with pads etc. Can anyone offer up their own experiences or suggest an alternative method?

Thanks in advance.

Most L/R dealers use double sided sticky tape which is very strong, might be worth calling into your local dealer and talk nicely to them.

If put on properly, you'll have no problems with stuck on plates.
As long as the area is properly cleaned and dry and a decent double sided tape used (3m for instance) then they will stay there for as long as you want them too.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
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Last edited by Beancounter_74 on Fri May 03 2013 12:08pm. Edited 1 time in total

+1 on the 3m tape, this stuff is seriously strong.

I bought a pack of double sided sticky pads from Halfords. They kept the plate on my trailer for 3 years no problems 07 tdv8 stornoway grey at home tucked up
x type jag work and back hack
x5 Gone - never fully loved or cared for
Disco td5 gone - saved a fortune on ear plugs
Freelander gone - one of the first and worst
early disco gone- A tractor in a fur coat.

It's necessary to use the thick sticky pads for the rear plate because the fixing holes thoughtfully provided by LR have plastic plugs in them to receive fixing screws and these plugs protrude above the surface by a couple of mm.

Here is a picture of the mess that I found under my original number plate:



The plugs can of course be removed:



but then the holes must be blanked off with tape to prevent water ingress.

Don't use the thick sticky pads on the front plate tho' as this makes it stand proud of the mounting bezel and it looks er...... s t.
Use the thin ones and it looks  2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Thanks everyone, I took Ady's advice and popped down to my local dealer who handed me a load for nothing. A real mess behind the plate that came off though, it took me about 30/40 mins just to get all the original tape off, clean and prepare before I could fit the new one.

Thanks again
Mark

What did you use to remove the old sticky pads?

I'm going to change my rear plate soon (don't like the big plates), & when I took it off this week for a preliminary 'look-see' there were 6 old sticky pads already there. I prefer to screw my plates on. I'm in the shed, I'll be back in the real world in a minute.

Mark David wrote:

my local dealer handed me a load for nothing.

I'm sure you will end up paying for them sooner or later

I used a label remover fluid as it doesn't harm the paintwork. I kept soaking them allowing time for it to attack the old adhesive then with a hand towel (which the Missus didn't appreciate) I just kept rubbing away in small circles and it progressively gets easier as it loosens.

sparky8181 wrote:

Mark David wrote:

my local dealer handed me a load for nothing.

I'm sure you will end up paying for them sooner or later

I would agree that the sticky pads are the best method to connect the plate. I would avoid screwing any plate in now.

To remove, if you can get hot water behind - that will enable you to pull the old pad off then label remover or similar - ive found perseverance with normal cleaning/hot water works.

Dry and restick...simples Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

Sadly on removal of my number plate it revealed two drilled holes!!!! Why would you do it

I've just bought some 'sticky stuff remover' from Lakeland Plastics. I'm going to give it a go today & will post the results later.

UPDATE:
Yes the 'sticky stuff remover' works. You have to apply it with a cloth, dabbing it onto the sticky pad you want to remove, leave it 5 minutes or so & then use a cloth to rub it all off.
I found it best to scrub off the foam element first with a soft'ish plastic scraper. I made one out of a pop bottle & that worked well. No scratces on the bodywork either!
A final polish with 'T-cut' or similar & all was gone
It's all ready now for me to get a new plate made up & then fit it. I'm in the shed, I'll be back in the real world in a minute.

Hi all, I'm a bit late to this discussion, but just in case, like me, sticky pads really are not the answer, you can buy the hexagonal plugs, known as nut-blindanchors, from Paddock Spares for 65p each + postage.

They can be found here.

http://www.paddockspares.com/dyh000140-nut-blindanchor.html

As mentioned in the thread, the plugs do protrude a touch (nice one LR! ), but I added some sticky pads as well (which don't work for me on their own) and the back plate is reasonably level & flush. Moreover it won't now fall off again.

I hope this helps.