Smiley number plate

littleun · 3rd January 2018, 20:45

Wifey bought me a smiley plate for christmas (she said it was Santa but I know she is fibbing), would welcome suggestions on fitting it i.e sticky pads or screws, also noticed Halfords do a Stoplock number plate lock kit and wondered if anybody here have used it and if they are ok...many thanks all....

stevestrat · 3rd January 2018, 20:53

Wouldn't use screws unless the old one is screwed on. Good quality double sided tape, plenty of it, is as good as anything. I replaced the ordinary plate on the V8 with a smiley, it was help on with tape and was a bugr to get off!

LotusLC · 3rd January 2018, 20:56

I once lost a number plate that had been put on with sticky pads, so I screw mine on now...

Ennine · 3rd January 2018, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Wouldn't use screws unless the old one is screwed on. Good quality double sided tape, plenty of it, is as good as anything. I replaced the ordinary plate on the V8 with a smiley, it was help on with tape and was a bugr to get off!

Agree 100%. If you're going to fit it in this weather. warm the plate gently and fit the pads, then warm the fixing area. Use plenty of good quality pads. Mark the centre of the plate on it's face at the top with a small bit of masking tape with a penline, and the same on the car so you get it right first time. Make sure the fixing area is well cleaned of course. I've always used pads. The only problems I have ever had is getting them off again.

Nige

mininuts · 3rd January 2018, 21:16

Yep, fitted mine with 3M tape and I know it'll be a begger to remove.
Decent tape and clean the area with meths prior to fitting.......you'll break the plate if you try to remove it

steve-45 · 4th January 2018, 00:55

I would not worry too much about using the Halfords security screw fixing kit, Smiley plates are unlikely to be stolen as they will not fit other vehicles.

Lord of Hog · 4th January 2018, 07:29

Mine's held on with sticky pads. If you decide to do this then I'd advise:

1. Make sure every last trace of gunge is removed from the location. I used an old RAC membership card and liberal squirts of Tardis, although I gather Autoglym Tar Remover also does the trick.

2. Angle your pads at about 45 degrees. This spreads the load on a diagonal rather than a vertical or horizontal and provides stronger adhesion. It also allows any water that gets behind the plate to drain down.

3. Pay particular attention to the ends as the effect of weather on the plate will be for it to want to curve outwards with time.

No problems after a couple of years.

BoroRover · 4th January 2018, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-45

I would not worry too much about using the Halfords security screw fixing kit, Smiley plates are unlikely to be stolen as they will not fit other vehicles.

Another great reason for owning a 75 !! In my opinion the smiley plate sets the rear of the car of perfectly....establishing we owners as an exclusive group.

dave lincs · 4th January 2018, 10:10

I always stick them on with double sided tape never had one fall off yet

Ennine · 4th January 2018, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoroRover

Another great reason for owning a 75 !! In my opinion the smiley plate sets the rear of the car of perfectly....establishing we owners as an exclusive group.

Maybe, but for those of us who will always be 75 lovers

Nige

3rd January 2018, 20:45	#1
littleun Avid contributor 2002 rover 75 cdt auto connoisseur saloon Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: hull Posts: 184 Thanks: 19 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	Smiley number plate Wifey bought me a smiley plate for christmas (she said it was Santa but I know she is fibbing), would welcome suggestions on fitting it i.e sticky pads or screws, also noticed Halfords do a Stoplock number plate lock kit and wondered if anybody here have used it and if they are ok...many thanks all....

3rd January 2018, 20:53	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,583 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Wouldn't use screws unless the old one is screwed on. Good quality double sided tape, plenty of it, is as good as anything. I replaced the ordinary plate on the V8 with a smiley, it was help on with tape and was a bugr to get off! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

3rd January 2018, 20:56	#3
LotusLC This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Auto / ZT-T Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: York Posts: 3,981 Thanks: 3,329 Thanked 1,644 Times in 1,238 Posts	I once lost a number plate that had been put on with sticky pads, so I screw mine on now... __________________ Lotus Carlton - Number 852 (My old car) https://i.imgur.com/Cwa3376m.jpg

3rd January 2018, 21:16	#5
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	Yep, fitted mine with 3M tape and I know it'll be a begger to remove. Decent tape and clean the area with meths prior to fitting.......you'll break the plate if you try to remove it __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

4th January 2018, 07:29	#7
Lord of Hog Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Felbridge, East Grinstead Posts: 982 Thanks: 250 Thanked 294 Times in 206 Posts	Mine's held on with sticky pads. If you decide to do this then I'd advise: 1. Make sure every last trace of gunge is removed from the location. I used an old RAC membership card and liberal squirts of Tardis, although I gather Autoglym Tar Remover also does the trick. 2. Angle your pads at about 45 degrees. This spreads the load on a diagonal rather than a vertical or horizontal and provides stronger adhesion. It also allows any water that gets behind the plate to drain down. 3. Pay particular attention to the ends as the effect of weather on the plate will be for it to want to curve outwards with time. No problems after a couple of years. __________________ Conformity is not morality. Consensus is not truth.

4th January 2018, 00:55	#6
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	I would not worry too much about using the Halfords security screw fixing kit, Smiley plates are unlikely to be stolen as they will not fit other vehicles.

4th January 2018, 10:10	#9
dave lincs Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louth Posts: 1,450 Thanks: 380 Thanked 986 Times in 476 Posts	I always stick them on with double sided tape never had one fall off yet